Athens Film Office: Applications Open for International Script Development Workshop

English-speaking professional screenwriters in Athens interested in stepping onto the international stage are invited to apply to the script development workshop “The Owl”, created by the city’s Athens Film Office.

“The Owl” aims to help develop film and TV projects with international appeal, leveraging the advantages Athens offers to the industry.

Now in its third edition, the “Owl Screenwriting Workshop” is an annual gathering for screenwriters who have already achieved early-career success with a distributed film or TV show and are seeking to launch their careers internationally.

As part of the municipality’s communication strategy, the workshop aims to establish Athens as an attractive filming destination for audiovisual production.

How to participate

“The Owl” workshop aims to create a bridge for screenwriters working outside global centers of film production to connect with some of the most well-funded and commercially successful film producers in the world.

A group of 10 film professionals will be selected to participate in the mentoring and networking English-language workshop held from October 1 to 4 in Athens.

It should be noted that at least two of the shortlisted writers for “The Owl” will be Greek creators, further promoting the Greek film industry.

Organizers are seeking screenwriters from diverse backgrounds and identities who develop audience-driven feature films and TV series, combining artistic vision with commercial potential. Their scenarios must be producible and shootable in Greece.

“The variety and versatility of Greece make it the ideal base for a wide range of productions,” the seminar’s organizers said in an announcement.

Entries will be judged by a selection committee of experienced film and TV professionals based on their previous works, as well as the overall quality of the script, its originality, writing style, and marketability of the concept.

Those interested in participating can submit their applications online at Coverfly – www.coverfly.com – until July 8.

Networking with leading professionals from the international film industry

During the workshop, participants will not only expand their expertise in the field but also have the opportunity to network with leading professionals from the international film industry.

Some of these professionals include Marc Lorber, executive producer of the series “The Pact”, “Motherland”, and “Devils”; Lindsay Bender, manager at the internationally renowned Creative Artists Agency (CAA); Carlo Dusi, executive producer and managing director of Endor Productions; Kurban Kassam, executive producer at Pulse Films; and Julia Berg, award-winning producer who has worked with leading producers and directors.

“The Owl” screenwriting workshop will be conducted in three phases, starting on October 1 with a four-day workshop and the second phase will take place in March 2025 with an online session. The final phase will be held in Athens during the Owl Industry Days 2025, a two day market event running parallel to “The Owl” screenwriting workshop.

The Athens Film Office (AFO) was established in 2020 through the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA). Its main goal is to transform Athens into a “film-friendly city”, attracting international productions to the Greek capital.