Banijay Expands into Microdrama with ‘Survival Sisters’ for Finland’s YLE and New Projects in Iberia

Banijay Entertainment Expands into Microdrama with New Projects in Finland and Spain

Banijay Entertainment is stepping into the microdrama genre by securing a vertical video order in Finland, alongside a trio of new projects in Spain. This strategic move reflects the growing trend towards short-form, mobile-friendly content.

In Finland, public broadcaster YLE has commissioned Survival Sisters, a 20-part mockumentary series produced by Banijay Finland. Each five-minute episode will be available in two formats: a traditional 16:9 for YLE’s streaming platform, YLE Areena, and a vertical 9:16 suitable for the broadcaster’s social media channels.

Locally titled Lottakoulu, the series is described as a fast-paced, character-driven comedy set in a fictional Homefront Academy, where young women are trained to be ‘good citizens’ in the face of societal threats. Through a mix of interviews, classroom scenarios, and escalating absurdity, it examines the expectations placed on women while highlighting themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges of modern life.

In Spain, Banijay Iberia is developing three innovative short-form projects: *Fcking Honeymoon, Fortu & Jazz, and an anime feature. Fcking Honeymoon explores the chaotic unraveling of a seemingly perfect romantic getaway, while Fortu & Jazz* offers a contemporary twist on classic Spanish literary themes. These series incorporate a blend of live-action and anime-inspired visuals, employing AI-supported creative tools to enhance their appeal.

This venture marks a significant initiative for France-based Banijay, as it dives deeper into vertical video content—a trend attracting participation from numerous traditional media players. The announcement coincided with the Series Mania festival in Lille, where Banijay showcased its latest scripted offerings. Steve Matthews, Head of Scripted, participated in a panel discussion on microdrama applications.

Minna Virkajärvi, executive producer at Banijay Finland, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovative storytelling. "Banijay Finland is known for creating culturally resonant and often satirical drama and comedy, and Survival Sisters is a natural step as we expand into short-form and vertical formats," she stated.

Teija Rantala, YLE’s Commissioner for Children’s and Youth Content, highlighted the series’ relevance. "The mood across Finland has grown uncertain, with young adults wondering what challenges their generation might face," she remarked. "With sharp, warm-hearted humor, the series asks what it means to be a good woman in a time of often overwhelming conversations—and above all, it liberates by making a difficult subject laugh-out-loud funny."

Banijay Finland’s broader scripted slate includes crime dramas like Murder in Hanko and Detective Maria Kallio, as well as comedies such as Supporting Actor, dance drama Dance Brothers, and recently announced shows Queen Heist and The Good Widow.

As Europe’s leading studio in scripted content, producing over 100 titles annually through more than 60 labels, Banijay continues to showcase a robust portfolio, including works like A Woman of Substance, Falling, Half Man, Montmartre, Marie-Line Incognito, Wallander, and Anatomy of a Moment at Series Mania.