The Athens Film Office (AFO) continues to position the Greek capital as a hub for global audiovisual projects with the OWL Industry Days, to be held alongside the fourth edition of the OWL Screenwriting Workshop (see the news) from 6-7 October at Aigli Zappeiou. This two-day event is designed to connect creators, producers and decision makers from Greece and abroad through panels, master classes and pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings, providing a deep dive into the country’s filmmaking ecosystem and co-production opportunities.

The Industry Days kick off on 6 October, with an introduction by the Athens Film Office and the City of Athens, highlighting co-production opportunities and financing frameworks in Greece, while Leonidas Christopoulos, CEO of the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center, will present the challenges for and opportunities of the Greek creative industry.

A panel on “Financial Models and Creative Collaboration between the Nordics and Greece” will explore how smaller markets can join forces to develop bold, globally resonant projects. Nordic professionals Kjartan Thordarson (Sagafilm), Maria Kivinen (Norse Key Studios) and Jarmo Lampela (YLE), together with Greek producer Nancy Kokolaki (Tanweer Productions), will share insights from their collaborations, including a case study on the series So Long, Marianne, offering practical guidance for international partnerships. The panel will be moderated by Eleni Chandrinou. The first day will also celebrate Greek original storytelling through a session showcasing upcoming series, emphasising the growing impact of Greece’s television productions both locally and internationally.

The day also features a master class with Hollywood screenwriter and producer Michael Colleary, whose career spans movies such as Face/Off and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, as well as the TV series Professionals. Colleary will share insights into navigating creative challenges, storytelling techniques and building a lasting career. The day will conclude with pitching sessions featuring the 2024 OWL Screenwriting Workshop cohort.

On 7 October, the programme opens with a panel on the realities of financing international projects, covering banks’ evaluation processes, negotiating terms and evolving rebate structures. This session is aimed at producers navigating the complexities of closing finance in Greece and beyond. The morning continues with a panel on co-producing feature films with Greece. Local producers Maria Drandaki (Homemade Films), Konstantinos Vasilaros (StudioBauhaus) and Vicky Miha (Asterisk*) will discuss how Greece can serve as a minority co-production partner, highlighting local expertise, infrastructure and market potential.

Afternoon sessions include a panel on transforming Greek locations into cinematic worlds, where art directors Dimitris Ziakas and Daphni Kalogianni will present before-and-after visuals demonstrating how Athens’ landmarks and soundstages can be adapted for international projects. The day continues with “Twisting the Rules: The New Wave of European Genre”, a panel examining evolving trends in horror, thriller, sci‑fi and fantasy. Producers Kristinn Thordarson (Truenorth), Meg Thomson (Globalgate), Aurélie Iniesta (Gaumont) and Greek filmmaker Dennis Iliadis will explore cross-border collaborations, innovative production approaches, and strategies for reaching audiences locally and globally. The session will be moderated by Vassilis Economou and reflects The OWL’s commitment to fostering daring and original voices in film and television.

The OWL Industry Days will conclude with a master class led by writer-director Arty Papageorgiou (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, The Sorrows), who will offer an in-depth session on storytelling, taking in animation and live action. He will share insights into world-building, character development and translating ideas to the screen.

Through OWL Industry Days, Athens is positioning itself as a growing hub for international film and television collaboration. The AFO plays a central role, connecting incoming productions with local crews, service providers and logistical support providers, while helping projects navigate the city’s diverse locations – from classical landmarks to modern urban spaces. The initiative underscores Athens’ ambition to become a genuinely film-friendly city, and a meeting point for creative and business minds alike.