Script Development & Pitching Workshop for Films for Children and Young Audiences
Are you an audiovisual professional with a passion for creating compelling stories for children and young people?
Are you a director, screenwriter, producer or content creator looking to advance your career in children’s and youth audiovisual storytelling?
Do you have an original idea that can inspire, entertain and spark the imagination of young audiences?
If so, we invite you to join THE OLYMPIA EFFECT.
A creative initiative for audiovisual professionals who want to contribute to the development of high-quality content for children and young people.
The workshop consists of two phases.
1. Script Development Workshop
The Script Development Workshop is designed to empower both emerging and established creators working in film and audiovisual production for children and young audiences by providing a supportive environment in which creative ideas can evolve into fully developed screenplays.
Through a combination of thematic workshops, one-on-one mentoring sessions, opportunities for discussion, and project presentations, participants will have the opportunity to:
- develop their initial ideas into well-structured narratives;
- strengthen their screenwriting skills;
- gain a deeper understanding of the specificities of creating content for children and young audiences.
The workshop aims to provide an in-depth exploration of storytelling tools and methodologies through the unique perspective and authentic point of view (POV) of the child, while strengthening each participant’s individual creative voice in response to the contemporary needs of children’s and youth cinema.
2. Pitching Lab
Στη δεύτερη φάση του εργαστηρίου, τα συμμετέχοντα άτομα θα ταξιδέψουν στον Πύργο, στο πλαίσιο του 28ου Διεθνούς Φεστιβάλ Κινηματογράφου Ολυμπίας για Παιδιά και Νέους.
This phase focuses on preparing participants to confidently pitch their projects to both industry professionals and young audiences. Participants will receive practical guidance and professional tools to craft a compelling, dynamic and creatively focused presentation of their projects.
During their stay in Pyrgos they will also have the opportunity to:
- attend screenings from the Festival’s competition programmes;
- network with film professionals from Greece and abroad;
- enrich their creative experience within an active international environment.
The final project presentations will take place in a public event, giving participants the opportunity to present their work before both adult and young audiences, as well as industry professionals.
What we are looking for
Αναζητούμε ευφάνταστες και πρωτότυπες ιστορίες με απήχηση σε παιδιά και νέους ηλικίας 5–18 ετών. Δεν υπάρχουν περιορισμοί ως προς το είδος ή τη μορφή. Το εργαστήριο δέχεται προτάσεις για σενάρια μυθοπλασίας, ντοκιμαντέρ ή animation, είτε μικρού είτε μεγάλου μήκους, καθώς και για τηλεοπτικές σειρές.
We encourage creators to submit ideas that entertain, inspire, and respect the intelligence and emotional sensitivity of children and young people. We are particularly interested in projects that avoid didacticism and acknowledge the emotional and intellectual maturity of today’s young audiences.
Why participate?
- Receive valuable feedback and professional guidance from experienced audiovisual professionals.
- Develop your screenwriting skills through practical workshops, mentoring and targeted exercises.
- Meet and connect with fellow creators who share your passion for storytelling for children and young audiences.
- Create opportunities to introduce your project to producers, decision-makers and industry professionals.
- Gain the unique experience of presenting your idea to children and hearing their authentic responses.
- Showcase your creativity and passion for meaningful storytelling.
- Become part of the international professional ecosystem of children’s cinema through the renowned network of the Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People.
How to apply
To apply, please prepare the following materials.
Feature Fiction
- Logline
- Synopsis
- Screenplay treatment (5–10 pages, minimum 2,000 words)
Short Fiction
- Logline
- Synopsis
- First draft of the screenplay
Feature Documentary
- Logline
- Synopsis
- Documentary treatment (minimum 1,000 words)
Feature Animation
- Logline
- Synopsis
- Screenplay treatment (5–10 pages, minimum 2,000 words)
- Visual material (e.g. mood board)
Short Animation
- Logline
- Synopsis
- First draft of the screenplay
- Visual material (e.g. mood board)
Television Series
- Logline
- Synopsis
- Treatment or pilot script
In all cases, applicants must also submit:
- Screenwriter’s CV
- Statement of intent regarding the development of the screenplay
- Cover letter explaining their motivation for participating in the Olympia Effect
About the Workshop
THE OLYMPIA EFFECT is organised by the Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People, in collaboration with the Thessaloniki International Film Festival Agora, with the support of Creative Europe MEDIA, the Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Greece, EKKOMED and ERT.
The workshop has been designed and will be led by: Lina Giannopoulou (Producer, Member of the Olympia Festival Organising Committee) Agathi Darlasi (Storytelling Consultant, Director, Screenwriter) Dionysia Kopana (Film Director)
Contact
Olympia Int’l Film Festival for Children and Young People
18A Rodou Street Athens 11252, Greece Tel: +30 210 866470
email: olympiaeffect@olympiafestival.gr
Terms & Conditions
- Το Olympia Effect 2025 θα πραγματοποιηθεί σε δύο φάσεις. Το Εργαστήριο Ανάπτυξης Σεναρίου θα πραγματοποιηθεί στην Αθήνα τα Σαββατοκύριακα 11-12/10, 18-19/10, 8-9/11 και 15-16/11/2025. Το Pitching Lab θα πραγματοποιηθεί το διάστημα 29/11-3/12/2025 στον Πύργο Ηλείας, στη διάρκεια του 28ου Φεστιβάλ Ολυμπίας.
- Attendance in person is mandatory for both phases.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Each project may only be submitted once. Projects rejected in previous editions, as well as revised versions submitted after the application deadline, will not be accepted.
- Οι προτάσεις αφορούν ταινίες μικρού ή μεγάλου μήκους και τηλεοπτικές σειρές. Δεν υπάρχει περιορισμός στο είδος της ταινίας (μυθοπλασία, animation, ντοκιμαντέρ).
- For original screenplays, applicants must hold all necessary rights. Where rights are shared by more than one creator, all rights holders must co-sign the application.
- For adaptations, applicants must provide proof that adaptation rights have been secured.
- Applicants are required to complete all mandatory fields of the online application form in accordance with the instructions provided.
- Application deadline 3 Σεπτεμβρίου 2025.
- The Festival will select the projects that best meet the criteria set out in these Terms & Conditions. Selected participants will be announced on στις 16 Σεπτεμβρίου 2025 μέσω της ιστοσελίδας olympiafestival.gr.
- Κατά την διάρκεια του φεστιβάλ, οι δημιουργοί θα παρουσιάσουν τη δουλειά τους (pitching). Το τελικό pitching θα γίνει στην αγγλική γλώσσα στις κριτικές επιτροπές και σε κοινό επαγγελματιών από όλο τον κόσμο. Οι προτάσεις που θα επιλεχθούν και οι νικητές θα ανακοινωθούν κατά την Ημέρα Ελληνικού Κινηματογράφου για Παιδιά, στις 3 Δεκεμβρίου 2025.
- Two projects will receive cash awards offered by institutional partners, together with additional benefits provided by private-sector organisations to support their production.
- Η συμμετοχή στο εργαστήριο είναι δωρεάν, ενώ οι συμμετέχοντες και οι συμμετέχουσες θα έχουν ελεύθερη είσοδο στις προβολές και τις λοιπές δραστηριότητες του Φεστιβάλ.
- The Festival will provide transport between Athens and Pyrgos for the second phase of the workshop by chartered coach. Individual travel costs, including tickets and fuel, will not be reimbursed.
- The Festival will cover accommodation in twin rooms in Pyrgos and one meal per day for one representative of each selected project, regardless of the number of co-applicants.
- Participation in the competition constitutes permission for the Festival to use the names of participants, together with photographic and audiovisual material, for publicity and promotional purposes.
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