The Owl Screenwriting Workshop

Deadlines & fees

Dates and fees checked against the official site 5 Oct 2026.

Key facts

Formats

Feature, TV Pilot

Eligibility

Open worldwide18+

Required materials

Script hosted on the Black List with at least one evaluation attached, and opted in to the programme, If long-listed: a professional resume, a one-page personal statement, and a short essay on how the project could be filmed in Greece, Logline of up to 150 characters and synopsis of up to 2,400 characters, Curriculum vitae and executed originals of the submission agreement

Open to professional film and television writers of all nationalities, with or without representation, aged 18 or over. There is a hard credit gate: you need either at least one writing credit on a feature released theatrically or on a global streaming platform, or at least two episodes of a long-form television series broadcast on a terrestrial channel or global streamer, which includes having been staffed for a full season at staff writer level or above. Non-writing credits, short films and self-published web series do not qualify, and The Owl confirms credits via IMDb. Submit either an original television pilot of at least 57 minutes and 45 pages, or a feature of at least 85 minutes and 85 pages, in English; translated scripts are fully eligible if you name the original language. Any theme or genre is welcome, but the project must be shootable in Greece, though it does not need to be set there. You must hold the copyright or have permission from the rights holder, and optioned scripts are fine if the option holder has granted permission to workshop the material. No producer or director attachment is needed: this is a workshop geared towards writers only.

Prizes

No cash award, stipend or bursary of any kind. What the workshop covers is accommodation on a room and tax only basis, meals, tuition and local experiences such as walking tours, networking and potential screenings. Participants arrange and finance their own transport to and from Greece, and incidentals beyond room and tax are not covered. Writing teams share a room. A producer may attend but the workshop cannot cover their lodging or expenses.

Judging

Selected by a committee of experienced film and television professionals assembled by the Athens Film Office, who are not named. A long list is notified on 2 November 2026, a shortlist of up to 20 is interviewed in the last week of November, and selected writers are notified on 6 December 2026. Note the Black List page's prose says 1 December while its own dates list and the Athens Film Office rules both say 6 December. No feedback is offered on unsuccessful applications, though the Black List evaluation you must buy to enter is itself written feedback.

Frequently asked questions