Organised by the Athens Film Office (AFO) under the City of Athens’ growth agency, Develop Athens, the 2025 edition of The OWL Workshop & Industry Days, held from 4-7 October, further strengthened the Greek capital’s role as a venue for creative exchange and collaboration.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony honouring the standout projects developed during the 2024-2025 cycle of The OWL. Australian filmmaker Madeleine Parry, known for directing the Emmy- and Peabody-winning Hannah Gadsby: Nanette and the Maddie Parry documentary series, received the Award for Best Feature Film Script for Eleftheria. Inspired by her Greek grandmother, the film follows Roula, a widowed immigrant whose encounter with a six-year-old girl from a nearby school awakens her long-buried sense of wonder and prompts her to re-examine a lifetime of self-sacrifice.

Rachel Flowerday, co-creator and lead writer of the hit CBBC series Malory Towers – now in its seventh season and nominated for Emmy, Rockie and Canadian Screen Awards – and co-creator of BBC One’s long-running global success Father Brown, received the Award for Best TV Pilot Script for Demeter. The project centres on Sally, whose sister Meg dies suddenly, leaving her and her husband Stuart with the family they have longed for – under the most painful of circumstances.

This year’s event brought together producers, creators, financiers and decision makers from across the globe, marking a significant increase in participation compared to previous editions. The Industry Days segment, hosted at Aegli Zappeiou on 6 and 7 October, featured pitching sessions, panels, master classes and matchmaking meetings that fostered new partnerships and co-production opportunities.

In his remarks, Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, highlighted the city’s commitment to supporting creative talent: “This year’s success proves that Athens has rightfully earned its place on the global audiovisual map. We support those who dream and dare. By increasing the number of participating screenwriters, we have strengthened both the Greek presence and international co-productions.” He also emphasised the importance of making culture accessible to everyone through The OWL’s open master classes, which drew large and diverse audiences.

Ioannis Georgizas, CEO of Develop Athens SA, underlined the growing impact of the initiative: “The OWL has evolved into a key institution connecting the new generation of creators with the global market. This year demonstrated how vibrant the interest in Athens is – not only as a filming location, but also as a meeting point for ideas, expertise and professional opportunities.”

Now in its fourth consecutive year, The OWL Workshop & Industry Days continues to combine professional networking with creative development. The AFO team welcomed 25 screenwriters from Greece and abroad to participate in an intensive script-development programme guided by international mentors.

Two master classes were particular highlights of the programme: writers Michael Colleary (Face/Off, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Professionals) and Arty Papageorgiou (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, The Sorrows) shared insights into contemporary storytelling and screenwriting craft. These sessions, open to the public, attracted a diverse audience of filmmakers, film professionals and students.

Supported by EKKOMED, the event was organised in collaboration with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and Aegean Airlines, and was sponsored by Foss, Argonauts, Globalgate, Truenorth, Boat Rocker, Cosmote TV, Green Olive Films and O2 Filmes.