The Owl Screenwriting Workshop

Lab · 2027Prestige 66/100

Four residential days in Athens with board covered. You pay your flights, and you need a real credit to apply.

Deadlines & fees

Submissions closeNext deadline
2 Oct 2026America/Los_Angeles$130

Dates and fees checked against the official site 9 Aug 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.

The PreList verdict

Four days in Athens in January with your accommodation, meals and tuition paid for, ten writers, one-to-one script notes, masterclasses and industry panels, then a second bite in June when you bring a rewritten draft to an online workshop led by Scott Myers. Run by the City of Athens' own film office rather than a private operator, which is part of why the board is covered at all. Open to writers of any nationality, with or without representation.

The honest part comes in two halves. First, the real cost of entry is not on the programme page. There is no entry fee as such, but your script must be hosted on the Black List with at least one evaluation attached, which is 30 dollars a month for hosting plus 100 for a feature or hour pilot, or 70 for a half hour. So budget around 130 dollars. Greek residents may apply for a waiver, and any Black List member can use the platform's general once-a-year waiver covering one evaluation and one month of hosting, which is the route worth knowing if the cost is the obstacle. Second, accommodation is covered on a room and tax only basis and your flights to Greece are entirely your own, so this is not free even once you are in.

The gate is a genuine professional credit: a theatrically or streamer-released feature, or two episodes of a broadcast or streamed series, or a full season staffed at staff writer level or above. Short films, non-writing credits and self-published web series do not count, and they check IMDb. There is no cash award at all. Submissions close 2 October 2026, and since their wording about midnight is ambiguous, aim for 1 October.

Dylian Salvatore, Founder of The PreList · Updated 9 Aug 2026

Frequently asked questions

What does it actually cost to enter?

There is no entry fee, but your script must be hosted on the Black List with at least one evaluation attached. That is 30 dollars a month for hosting plus 100 for a feature or hour pilot, or 70 for a half hour, so roughly 130 dollars from a standing start.

Are there waivers?

Yes, two routes. Residents of Greece may apply for a submission fee waiver, limited to projects not yet hosted on the Black List and granted at The Owl's discretion. Separately, any Black List member can use the platform's general waiver once a year, which covers one evaluation and one month of hosting.

What is covered if I am selected?

Accommodation on a room and tax basis, meals, tuition and local experiences. You arrange and pay for your own travel to and from Greece, and incidentals beyond room and tax are not covered. Writing teams share a room.

Do I need credits?

Yes, and they are checked. Either one writing credit on a feature released theatrically or on a global streaming platform, or two episodes of a long-form series broadcast on a terrestrial channel or global streamer, which includes a full season staffed at staff writer level or above. Short films and non-writing credits do not qualify.

Is your script right for The Owl Screenwriting Workshop?

Upload your screenplay and The PreList scores how well it fits this lab: genre, format, eligibility and readiness, before you spend anything.

Check your script's fit Apply on the official site ↗

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