Athens hosts the “heart” of international cinema and television (October 4 - 7)

Athens, which hosts The Owl Workshop & Industry Days, is transformed into a reference point for world cinema and television for four days. The event, which is being held for the 4th year this year by the Athens Film Office of the Municipality of Athens in collaboration with the Athens Development Agency, returns more dynamic than ever, giving a platform to new creators and bringing leading professionals from the audiovisual industry to the city.

In a statement, the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, notes: “Athens is evolving into a center of creation, open to new ideas and international collaborations. With The Owl Workshop & Industry Days, we give space to talents to develop, we create communication channels with the international market and we show that our city can host film and television stories with global appeal. As the Municipality of Athens, we invest in initiatives that support young creators and open up horizons for our city.”

For his part, the CEO of Development Athens, Ioannis Georgizas, emphasizes:

“The Owl is not just a script workshop, but a platform that gives impetus to creators and, at the same time, highlights Athens as an ideal destination for film and television productions. By supporting the Athens Film Office, we invest in actions that leave a substantial imprint on the city and open new paths for the domestic audiovisual industry.”

The Owl Workshop in the “heart” of Athens from October 4 to 7

At the 4th “The Owl” Workshop, which will take place this year at the Electra Rhythm Athens Hotel, on Ermou Street, a total of 16 professional screenwriters from around the world will participate in an intensive scriptwriting program. In this, they will have the opportunity to receive guidance from international mentors (one-to-one mentoring with experienced professional screenwriters), take part in masterclasses and meet with leading Greek and international film and television professionals.

Among the mentors who stand out in this year's event 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 6th and 7th, the “heart” of the event “beats” at the iconic Aigli Zappeion, with the two-day Industry Days held in collaboration with the Hellenic Center for Cinema, Audiovisual Media and Creativity (EKKOMED). This is a leading international meeting of creators, producers, financiers and decision-makers, which includes pitching events, panels, speeches and some special matchmaking sessions aimed at new collaborations.

At the same time, within the framework of the Industry Days, this year two masterclasses will be held which will be open to the public subject to registration (free admission).

Details:

October 6, 17:30 – 18:30

Masterclass with Michael Colleary: From Success to Mastery of Storytelling

Award-winning screenwriter and producer Michael Colleary (Face/Off, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Professionals) shares three decades of experience in Hollywood, revealing secrets about the art of storytelling, the challenges of the creative path and the strategies of a long career in film and television.

October 7, 19:00 – 20:30m

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 own approach to storytelling, character development and world-building, through animation and live action works. The masterclass is organized in collaboration with ASIFA, the Hellenic Animation Association.

About the Athens Film Office

The Athens Film Office of the Municipality of Athens was established with the aim of facilitating audiovisual productions that choose the city as a filming location. It provides practical support and guidance at every stage of production, from finding locations and filming permits to networking with local partners. Through actions such as The Owl, the Athens Film Office strengthens Athens’ international presence, attracts investment and contributes to the development of the domestic creative industry. To date, it has contributed to the filming of more than 200 audiovisual productions.