The Owl Workshop & Industry Days was launched by the Athens Film Office to support the development of film and television projects with international appeal — and to highlight the unique advantages Athens offers the screen industry.
This annual workshop is designed for screenwriters with early-career success — such as a distributed film or television credit — who are ready to take their work to a global stage. It serves as a bridge for talent based outside major production hubs to connect with leading international producers and decision-makers.
For this 4th edition, we will select up to 16 professional screenwriters to take part in a unique programme that connects emerging screenwriters with key industry figures.
Held in Athens from 4–7 October, the Owl Workshop offers mentorship, professional networking, and the opportunity to pitch at our flagship event, Owl Industry Days.
We’re seeking screenwriters from diverse backgrounds who create audience-driven feature films or television series that combine artistic vision with commercial potential — and have the flexibility to be produced or filmed in Greece.
Applications are evaluated by a committee of experienced film and television professionals, based on originality, writing style, market potential, and the writer’s track record. We particularly encourage submissions from creators with underrepresented backgrounds and perspectives.
Greece’s varied landscapes and versatile locations make it an ideal base for a wide range of film and television productions. From vibrant city streets to iconic white-sand beaches, your project doesn’t need to be set in Greece to be shot here.
The program begins with a fully funded in-person workshop in Athens, where the selected screenwriters focus on project development and creative community building.
Participants benefit from:
Writers return in March 2026 for a collaborative online workshop after submitting their second drafts. Led by acclaimed screenwriting educator Professor Scott Myers, this session centers on peer feedback, critical analysis, and continued script development. Participants will:
Writers return to Athens with their final drafts for a culminating session that bridges creative development and professional presentation. The final session includes:
The Owl is open to professional film and TV writers of all nationalities who have started building their screenwriting career, and want to expand their work to reach a global audience.
The Owl will confirm credits via IMDb.
The Owl is open to writers both with and without representation.
Each applicant may submit 1 TV drama pilot or 1 Feature Film script. Please note that although we welcome supplementary materials (such as a pitch deck, treatment, bible etc) a full script is required for the purposes of the application. Your script can be an original idea or be based on an underlying property. It must have the potential to be adapted to be produced and/or shot in Greece. It could be set in Greece, or aim to shoot Greece for another location.
For clarity, we are not expecting writers to submit a tailor made script for the purpose of the application but to submit a script that is already written and which could be adapted to be shot in Greece. To get the most out of the Owl, your script should be at the first draft stage, though we will consider more developed projects.
Scott Myers has written over thirty movie and TV projects at almost every major Hollywood studio and broadcast network. His screenwriting credits include K-9, Alaska, and Trojan War. Since 2008, Scott has hosted GoIntoTheStory.com, the official screenwriting blog of the Black List and named Best of the Best Scriptwriting Website by Writer’s Digest. Author of The Protagonist’s Journey: An Introduction to Character-Driven Screenwriting and Storytelling (Palgrave Macmillan), Scott is currently an Associate Professor of screenwriting at DePaul University.
Screenwriter, director, and co-founder of EXTINT, a multilingual script consulting agency helping filmmakers maximize the international potential of their scripts. Elina collaborates with labs such as Cine Qua Non Lab (Mexico) and Coofilm (Spain), has taught at The Core School, Séptima Ars, and EFTI in Madrid, and served on the selection committee for MFI Script 2 Film Workshops. Her scripts have been selected by prestigious film labs, including Berlinale Script Station and the SGAE Foundation, and her short films have won awards from the DGA. Elina is currently developing two feature films and a series. She holds a B.A. from Yale and an M.F.A. from Columbia.
Brendan Fitzgerald is an internationally renowned executive in the content industry, with a career spanning over two decades of experience in key markets such as the United States, Latin America, Spain, Germany, and Italy. Throughout his distinguished career, he has played crucial roles in the creation and development of premium content, establishing himself as a key figure in the evolution and expansion of the global audiovisual sector.
Since January 2024, Brendan Fitzgerald has served as the CEO of Secuoya Studios, a leading Spanish studio committed to producing high-level content, aiming to become a global leader in creating premium projects for television, film, and OTT platforms. Under his leadership, Secuoya Studios has launched an ambitious expansion strategy, seeking to diversify its catalog across various areas, including series, films, unscripted content, and long-form productions.
Before assuming his role at Secuoya Studios, Fitzgerald was Senior Vice President of English-language International Co-Productions at Sony Pictures Television, where he played a key role in managing co-productions and building business relationships between major studios and international networks. During his time at Sony Pictures, he helped establish key agreements that strengthened the company’s presence in international markets and contributed to the success of various productions.
Fitzgerald is also recognized for his contribution to the audiovisual sector in Spain, having been named Honorary Ambassador of the Spain Film Commission. This recognition highlights his impact on the global industry and his commitment to international collaboration in content creation and distribution.
Isabelle Degeorges is a renowned French producer and President of Gaumont Television France since 2013. A graduate of the Sorbonne, she began her career in 2001 at Images et Compagnie (Lagardère), producing a wide range of scripted content. In 2011, she joined Gaumont to launch its French television division. Known for crafting local stories with global appeal, she has produced major successes such as Lupin (Netflix) starring Omar Sy and Becoming Karl Lagerfeld (Disney+) with Daniel Brühl. As Vice President of USPA, she plays a key role in shaping the French audiovisual sector. In 2025, she received the Series Mania “Woman in Series” award, honoring her 25-year career and industry impact.
Jarmo has been Head of Drama at YLE since 2015. His background includes working as Professor of Film Directing and Head of the Department of Film, Television and Scenography at Aalto University, Helsinki. Since 1992 has worked as director, scriptwriter and producer with numerous productions for cinema, television and theatre.
Since 1999, Larry Bass has built Shinawil into a leading Irish production company behind hits like Dancing With The Stars, The Voice of Ireland, and MasterChef Ireland. Expanding into scripted drama, Shinawil has developed series with international partners, supported by Screen Ireland and major broadcasters. Notable projects include Miss Scarlet & The Duke (PBS), The Catch (Channel 5), Clean Sweep (RTE/Sundance Now), Maryland (ITV), and Doll Factory (Paramount+). Feature films include The Miracle Club, which premiered at Tribeca 2023, and The Lighterkeeper, now in post-production. In 2024, Borderline, a crime drama, launched on MGM+, Roku, and ZDF.
O2 Filmes Executive Producer for Development since January 2021, developing projects like Max’s “City of God – The Fight Rages On” series and Prime’s “New Bandits”, Gustavo Gontijo has a long career in entertainment beginning as a writer with Globo Studios in 2000. In 2014 , he was appointed Drama Weekly Content Manager, developing the hits UNDER PRESSURE, MISTER BRAU, IRON ISLAND, SUPERMAX, SECOND CALL, JAILERS and other 20 shows, in a total of over 30 seasons broadcasted. Gustavo was personally in charge of taking those shows to prestigious Festivals like the Berlinale, TIFF, SXSW. From 2019 to 2020, he was the content manager for Globo Filmes with the main focus in features.
During his career he’s worked for all major Hollywood studios and TV networks. His produced credits include Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the family comedy Firehouse Dog; and the TV series Professionals. Michael won a Saturn Award for co-writing (with Mike Werb) the John Woo-directed action thriller Face/Off, which the New York Times deemed “one of the best 1000 movies ever made.” Michael has also taught screenwriting in the MFA program at UCLA, at Story Academy in Gotland, and at Hollins University.
Tina Gharavi is a visionary filmmaker and BAFTA-nominated storyteller redefining outsider narratives. Born in Tehran and raised in the U.S. and Europe, she fuses bold artistry with raw authenticity. Her breakout feature, I Am Nasrine (2012), earned a BAFTA nod for its powerful portrayal of exile. Gharavi’s fearless work spans Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra and her upcoming third feature, Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day starring Tim Spall, Lily Allen and Haley Bennett. Founder of Bridge + Tunnel Productions and a professor at Newcastle University, she champions underrepresented voices but in her spare time she dreams of beekeeping in Iran. Represented by Independent Talent in the UK and Gersh in Los Angeles, Gharavi divides her time between the UK and Paris.
Matti Halonen (Nymphs, Bordertown, Estonia) has been 35 years in the professional film and drama business. He has produced several feature films and over 100 hours of high-end drama, with production airing on Netflix, Amazon prime, and HBO.
Brendan is an award-winning Northern Irish Writer-EP, with international co-pro experience in TV, features and bestselling books. Past work with CW, WB Discovery, Lionsgate, Sony, BBC, CBC, NBC, AMC, Viaplay, Acorn, Universal, Elisa, SBS. Most recently: 2025 Sherlock and Daughter starring David Thewlis; two seasons of hit series The Man Who Died for Elisa, AMC/Acorn; Cold Courage for Viaplay, AMC+, Britbox and Lionsgate. Previous indie feature films for Sony, Nordisk and Lionsgate include multi-award winner Johnny Was and The Riddle, Books include Amazon UK bestseller Under the Wire for Random House. Formerly a freelance international features journalist in 77 countries.
Shelly Goldstein’s first play, COMING ATTRACTIONS, ran for almost two years in Chicago. Legendary Hollywood producer Garry Marshall saw it and hired her as a sitcom writer at Paramount. Since then she’s written hundreds of hours of television, including the Emmy-winning PBS special, CHICAGO VOICES and Sheryl Lee Ralph’s DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING. She’s a senior writer on 2025’s SHERLOCK & DAUGHTER, starring David Thewlis. Shelly has written for top talent including Stephen Colbert, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Sharon Stone, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson & Yoko Ono. She is a proud past winner of the New Yorker’s iconic Cartoon Caption Contest.
Julia has worked in development for producer James Wilson on projects for filmmakers Jonathan Glazer and Lynne Ramsay and for Maven Pictures (Executive Producers of ‘American Honey’), collaborating with partners such as the BFI, Film4, the BBC and Screen Australia. In 2018, Julia started working independently with new talent around the UK to hone skills in writing and connect the new talent to the market. In 2021, Julia was brought on board as a Development/New Writers Consultant to Bruce Goodison and Kate Cook´s Indefinite Films to bring new and emerging writers to their slate, working with Channel 4 to create a new writers residency for a potential C4 4-part TV series.
Residing in London as a dual US/UK citizen, Marc Lober works with diverse media enterprises with mandates to build or simply improve upon their local/regional if not also international: content creation/development and physical productions, acquisitions, and/or co-production capabilities. As one of the most experienced international multi-genre creative content and programming executives, and an Emmy and International Emmy-nominated and Bafta-Award winning Executive Producer; skilled in conception, acquisition, development, sales, strategic partnerships and co-productions, direct physical production and management/financial oversight, of both scripted and unscripted projects; formats and originals.
A seasoned media executive, I began my career in Marketing and Sales Management for the music industry in Iceland, representing Sony Music and Warner Music. I later transitioned into production, co-founding Wiz-Art (now STORM), a leader in digital content. I launched PoppTV, Iceland’s first 24-hour music TV station, and founded VYRE, a UK-based content management company. I’ve held executive roles at Sagafilm and 2AM Films, overseeing international investments and Nordic expansion. With deep expertise in content creation, business development, and media innovation, I’ve played key roles in shaping the digital and broadcast landscape in both Iceland and the broader Nordic region.
A multifaceted media executive, Erik Pack has an industry-wide reputation for achievements in content creation, development and distribution. He currently serves as SVP, Global Sales & Co-Production at Boat Rocker. In this role, he leads the day-to-day international strategy for Boat Rocker’s premium scripted and documentary content, across UK and EMEA, as well as developing and sourcing new scripted projects in the regions for co-production. Erik’s proven business acumen at top media firms like Gaumont Television, Hallmark Entertainment, Power and New Line Television, along with his deep roots in the creative community, is why he us both a valued media executive as well as a respected creator of content. Erik has unrivalled experience working with content platforms and broadcasters all over the world, working on critically acclaimed content on both sides of the Atlantic.
Maria Kivinen manages international sales and co-productions of Nordic drama series, documentaries, remakes, kids & youth programmes, music & performing arts globally to her wide network of clients of TV and Streaming platforms she has built over her twelve year career at Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company. In addition to this, Kivinen is RADA trained dramaturg. Kivinen also produced her debut play, The Idealist, at the Tara Arts Theatre London and Brighton Fringe Festival by her company at the time, Odd Stumble. Kivinen has expertise of selling and financing TV and film content globally creatively and commercially. Over the years Kivinen has built a network of clients from all major TV and streaming platforms around the World.
Producer Helena Danielsson won Prix Eurimages for her work on acclaimed European co-productions in 2012. Credits include Pernilla August´s “Beyond” , winner of Venice Critics’ Week ,“The Childhood of a Leader” (“The Brutalist”-director Brady Corbet’s debut), winner of Lion of the Future and Best Director in Venice FF Notable works include the Emmy-nominated “Smiling in a War Zone” and “Hilma” by Lasse Hallstrom , “Stockholm Bloodbath” Mikael Håfstrom. In 2025 she joined iconic mini major Nordisk Film in Denmark. Danielsson is a member of EFA, ACE, and an alumna of EAVE, Screen Leaders, and Inside Pictures.
Julien Leroux was born in Paris France in 1980. After completing a double master of European business and management, he started his career in 2004 working for TV France International, the association of French TV international distributors, then joined France Televisions as sales manager. In December 2005 he joined AB International Distribution (now Mediawan Rights) as SVP of Sales and Acquisitions working on shows such as Mafiosa, Desperate Parents or Dragon Ball. In 2011 he joined Newen Group and actively participated in its international expansion and sale to TF1 Group in 2015. He ran the international distribution arm of Newen until 2017 working on international hit series such as Spiral, Witnesses or Versailles before moving to London to launch the UK activities of the group
In May 2018 he joined Canadian TV studio Cineflix to lead their scripted activities across production, financing and distribution launching hit shows such as CBC’s Coroner, TV3 Russia’s An Ordinary Woman and Scandi political drama The Minister. In June 2020 it was announced Apple was acquiring the first season of TEHRAN a new Israeli spy drama series co-written by Moshe Zonder (Fauda) which Julien Leroux executive produced. The series launched in late June in Israel to record breaking ratings and later
in September worldwide on AppleTV+ and quickly became one of their most watched series. In January 2021 Julien Leroux announced the launch of London based new production company Paper Entertainment which focuses on “exciting, thrilling, crazy and emotional stories” from all over the world in addition of producing the next seasons of TEHRAN for Apple.
Graduated from the IAD and holder of an MBA from the Solvay Business School, Arnauld de Battice began his career as a freelance director. Next, he worked as production manager and associated producer. In 1999, after working with RTL-TVI as director of content, Arnauld decided to become an independent producer and created AT-Prod, a TV and cinema production company. Arnauld’s line-up now includes 11 feature films, 180 TV-movies, 40 TV series, 30 documentaries and many upcoming projects.
Arnauld is also a lecturer at the MBA ESG in Paris and The Mediafaculty and regularly appointed as an expert for MEDIA program.
Andreas co-founded Story House. He is an award-winning writer, producer, and director. He is head writer and showrunner of the critically acclaimed drama series ‘Dignity’ for Joyn, Amazon and HBO. He also executive produced ‘Sprite Sisters’, a family entertainment movie for Walt Disney Studios. Andreas also is the executive producer and showrunner of the historical drama series ‘Sisi’ for RTL, ORF, TF1. As Chief Creative Officer, Andreas heads all scripted operations at Story House.
Tracy Brimm is Head of Film and Television at Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, leading independent London agency representing top writers, directors, and creatives across film, TV and theatre. She joined Casarotto in 2017 to lead Creative Affairs, cultivating global industry relationships and facilitating strategic connections between the agency’s clients, exceptional content and creative partners. She is passionate about championing filmmakers who tell bold, globally resonant stories that inspire and entertain.
Raised and educated in Fontainebleau, France, Tracy earned a BA from Brown University. She began her career at International Creative Management in Los Angeles after graduating from USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program. At ICM she represented and launched international filmmakers’ careers and played a key role in global content packaging and financing.
She went on to serve as President of TF1 USA, where she oversaw English-language productions for the French broadcaster, including Todd Haynes’ Far from Heaven. Prior to joining Casarotto, Tracy was co-founder and producer at Forward Films. Her producing credits include Kristian Levring’s The Salvation (Cannes Film Festival 2014), Grabbers (Sundance Film Festival 2012) and BAFTA-nominated, Michael Powell Award winner Skeletons.
Meg is currently EVP of Worldwide Content for Globalgate Entertainment, a consortium of companies including Lionsgate, Rai Cinema, Nordisk, TF1, Lotte, Tobis, Rakuten, Televisa and other international distributors and producers to create commercial local-language films and television.
Recent film credits include THE TURKISH COFFEE TABLE (2025), SCHITTEREND (Holland, 2024), START ME UP (France, 2024), WEDDING DRESS (Philippines, 2022). On the television side, Globalgate has several series in the works, including RESET GAME, KING’S RANSOM, and three localized versions (Irish, Korean, Mexican) of the Dutch series SWANENBURG. As a producer, Meg recently released the film FREUD’S LAST SESSION starring Anthony Hopkins, and just wrapped the UK-German co-production VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY.
The Owl is a workshop geared towards writers only. Producers are welcome to join us in Athens for the pitching event and B2B meetings.
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate writing teams at this stage.
Yes, writers with or without representation are welcome to apply; provided they have a proven track record of their work.
Absolutely! We got some incredible applications in the past and unfortunately we are only able to accommodate few screenwriters each year. Please feel free to re-apply with the same project.
We use application fees to pay our independent readers, who carefully evaluate hundreds of scripts, through multiple rounds. The Athens Film Office covers the cost of the lab programme as well as accommodation and meals in Athens for the successful applicants.
The Owl will select eight (8) TV drama pilot scripts and eight (8) feature film scripts.
All scripts are carefully assessed by independent readers through multiple rounds of evaluation. Shortlisted applicants will have an interview with a panel of judges.
Certainly, you are welcome to apply with more than one project – though please note that each project should be submitted as a separate application as it will be assessed separately.
No; only one copy of the script will be accepted.
Yes, as long as you can show that the entity holding the option has granted permission to workshop the material.
We welcome creativity regardless of the project’s theme or genre. We will prioritize projects that can be produced/shot in Greece. Greece offers a wide variety of locations, so a project does not necessarily have to be set in Greece to be produced/shot here.
Unfortunately, because of the large number of applications, we are unable to provide feedback if your project is not selected.
Yes, all The Owl participants will have the chance to participate in the Industry Days and get the chance to pitch their projects in front of a group of industry professionals and invited guests.
Each year a selection committee composed of Greek and International industry experts awards the Best Feature Film and the Best TV Pilot.
The Owl will cover participant’s accommodation, food and local experiences during the workshop. Participants are expected to cover their own travel to Athens.
