The City of Athens, through the Athens Film Office, brings The Owl Workshop & Industry Days to the capital for the 4th year

For four days, Athens becomes a reference point for global cinema and television as it hosts The Owl Workshop & Industry Days. Now in its fourth edition, the event is organized by the Athens Film Office of the City of Athens in collaboration with Develop Athens. This year’s edition returns more dynamic than ever, giving a platform to emerging creators and welcoming top professionals from the audiovisual industry to the city.

In his statement, the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, noted:

“Athens is evolving into a hub of creativity, open to new ideas and international collaborations. With The Owl Workshop & Industry Days, we provide space for talent to grow, create channels of communication with the global market, and demonstrate that our city can host cinematic and television stories with worldwide appeal. As the City of Athens, we invest in initiatives that support young creators and broaden horizons for our city.”

From his side, the CEO of Develop Athens, Ioannis Georgizas, emphasized:

“The Owl is not just a screenwriting workshop, but a platform that empowers creators while also promoting Athens as an ideal destination for film and television productions. By supporting the Athens Film Office, we are investing in actions that leave a meaningful footprint on the city and open new pathways for the local audiovisual industry.”

The Owl Workshop in the heart of Athens on October 4–7

This year’s 4th edition of The Owl Workshop will take place at the Electra Rhythm Athens Hotel on Ermou Street, where 16 professional screenwriters from around the world will participate in an intensive screenwriting development programme. Participants will receive one-on-one mentoring from international experts, attend masterclasses, and meet with leading Greek and international professionals from the film and television industry.

Among this year’s standout mentors are:

• Larry Bass – CEO, Founder & Executive Producer, Shinawil
• Tracy Brimm – Head of Film and Television, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates
• Brendan Fitzgerald – CEO, Secuoya Studios
• Gustavo Gontijo – Executive Producer, Development, O2 Filmes
• Meg Thomson – EVP Worldwide Content, Globalgate Entertainment

The Owl Industry Days

On October 6 and 7, the heart of the event beats at the iconic Aigli Zappeion, hosting the two-day Industry Days in collaboration with the ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ – Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ). This major international gathering brings together creators, producers, financiers, and decision-makers for pitching events, panels, talks, and specialized matchmaking sessions designed to foster new partnerships.

As part of Industry Days, two masterclasses will be held this year, open to the public with free admission upon registration.

Highlights

October 6 | 17:30–18:30
Masterclass with Michael Colleary: From Blockbusters to Storytelling Mastery
Award-winning screenwriter and producer Michael Colleary (Face/Off, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Professionals) shares three decades of Hollywood experience, revealing secrets of storytelling, creative challenges, and strategies for a long-lasting career in film and television.

October 7 | 19:00–20:30
Masterclass with Arty Papageorgiou
Screenwriter and director Arty Papageorgiou (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, The Sorrows, The Hunt for Gollum) presents his approach to storytelling, character development, and world-building across animation and live-action projects. The masterclass is organized in collaboration with ASIFA, the Hellenic Animation Association.

About the Athens Film Office

The Athens Film Office of the City of Athens was established to support audiovisual productions choosing the city as a filming location. It offers practical support and guidance throughout all production stages—from location scouting and filming permits to networking with local partners. Through initiatives like The Owl, the Athens Film Office enhances Athens’ international presence, attracts investment, and contributes to the growth of the local creative industry. To date, it has supported the production of over 200 audiovisual projects.

Register via the official website of the Athens Film Office:
👉 https://athensfilmoffice.com/

Strategic Partners:
GNTO (Greek National Tourism Organization) | AEGEAN Airlines

In collaboration with:
ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ – Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center

Sponsors:
FOSS | Argonauts | Globalgate | True North | Boat Rocker | Cosmote TV | Green Olive Films | O2 Filmes

This action is implemented as part of the project:
“Promotion, support, and enhancement of tourism in the City of Athens” / Sub-project 1, under the “Attica 2021–2027” Program, MIS 6018475, and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).