17/10/2025 - The producer reflects on how Athens is emerging as a hub for international screenwriting and production, global collaborations and the city’s growing role in shaping original stories

As head of development for the Athens Film Office, award-winning writer-producer Christina Mitropoulou has played a key role in shaping the city’s emergence as a creative and production hub. Following the latest edition of The OWL, the city’s international screenwriting workshop and industry platform, Mitropoulou reflects on the highlights of this year’s programme, the global collaborations it fostered, and Athens’ growing presence on the international map as both a filming destination and a source of original storytelling.

Cineuropa: Looking back, what were the moments that really stood out for you during The OWL 2025, both in the workshop and the Industry Days?
Christina Mitropoulou: I love a good opening scene, as it sets the tone for what’s about to happen. Similarly, the opening “meet and greet” of the OWL workshop really stands out for me; it’s the moment when everything we’ve been working on finally comes together. Screenwriters, producers and executives from all over the world meet, igniting everything that will follow in the next few days. As for the Industry Days, I have to say it’s the Pitching Event, where The OWL writers present their projects in front of the industry audience. This marks the pinnacle of the work they’ve been doing during The OWL and hopefully the beginning of a journey that leads to production. This year, we had a full house brimming with creativity, hope, ambition and great projects. It was a success story, as the pitching led to fruitful meetings. The panel on Greek originals also stands out: I have a soft spot for Greek television, and I am happy we showcased two incredible upcoming series.

This year’s cohort included 17 international writers. Were there any projects or approaches that particularly surprised or impressed you?
That would be like asking a mother to select a favourite child – I can’t! I can say that I’ve been extremely impressed by the quality of the applications, the talent we’ve been receiving, the range of stories and genres, and the generosity that the screenwriters bring to the table. They form a true community, a cohort that will hopefully stay in touch for a lifetime. It’s also quite impressive how adaptable the OWL screenwriters can be; they’re open to reshaping their stories to fit a Greek angle, a Greek narrative or a Greek shoot.

How did Athens itself, its locations, culture and energy, shape the stories and discussions? Do you feel the city is gaining recognition as an international production hub?
I think Athens is undergoing a creative transformation and is increasingly under the spotlight in the film and TV world. This is happening for two reasons. First, the practical side: financial incentives like the cash rebate, the high-quality services offered by production companies and the public sector, and the presence of talented crews and creatives. These elements make Athens a film-friendly destination. Second, and perhaps more importantly, there's a creative shift. Athens is becoming a protagonist in the collective unconscious, generating stories. The city itself exudes a certain energy, culture and vibe that shape the narratives. I have noticed that a number of scripts that come to The OWL are written specifically for Athens. Others are written for places that can sub for Athens. Finally, some are written for a different location, but the writers come with an open mind, and upon experiencing the city, they see their stories through a different lens and rewrite them. Watching the way a city can transform the narrative is quite illuminating.

The OWL Industry Days brought Greek and international professionals together. Can you share any collaborations or opportunities that came out of these connections?
This has been a very fruitful year! It’s too soon to tell, but I am already aware of three international production companies (from France, Spain and Italy) that are looking to bring their projects to Greece. Similarly, Greek production companies have been in discussions about bringing international partners to their Greek slate. On a development level, one of the OWL international features is scheduled to shoot this autumn in Greece. Finally, I can reveal that some of our international writers have been contracted by Greek producers.

After this edition, what lessons or insights will guide the next OWL workshop and Industry Days? Are there any directions you’re particularly excited to explore?
This year, the Athens Film Office and the City of Athens managed to secure funding to host additional writers. At previous editions, we were able to invite up to ten projects, while this year, we had 16. We also managed to deliver two master classes open to the public [see the news]. They were both packed to the rafters! It’s evident that there is a thirst for such educational programmes for local filmmakers, producers and screenwriters. I would love to continue exploring avenues to open the OWL lab and Industry Days to a broader audience, make it inclusive for different voices, and use this platform to improve the craft and push creative boundaries.