Start of the international professional training in Cologne with Head of Programme Jeppe Gjervig Gram (»Borgen«, »Follow the Money«) and showrunners Anna Winger (»Unorthodox«, »Deutschland 83/86/89«, »Transatlantic«) and Julie Skaufel (»Home for Christmas«, »I Do«)

The fourth edition of the »European Showrunner Training« at ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln has officially begun. This unique training and mentoring programme – unparalleled in the European market – supports experienced series writers in developing the essential skills required for successful showrunning. Participants deepen their expertise in key areas such as creative leadership and series production, while also exploring forward-looking topics like artificial intelligence and green producing, all with a clear focus on their future roles as showrunners.

Offered as a part-time professional training programme, the initiative is a central component of the ifs’ »European Showrunner Programme«, which is funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme of the European Union. This year, the programme also welcomes new support from the Swiss foundation FOCAL. Key festival partners include Seriencamp in Cologne and TV Drama Vision at Film Festival Gothenburg. 

The response to this year’s call for applications underscores the continued demand for high-level showrunner training. From a competitive pool, 12 accomplished series writers from 11 European countries have been selected to participate in this year’s cohort.

• Mile Božičević, Croatia | »Hubble Bubble« (co-creator, writer), »On the Border« (writer)
• Aleksandra Chmielewska, Poland | »Glitter« (co-creator, head writer, creative producer), »Cracow Monsters« (story editor)
• Nadine Gottmann, Germany | »Das Signal/The Signal« (co-creator, writer), »Echt Friends« (writer)
• Tua Harno, Finland | »Dead Women Talking« (co-creator, head writer), »The Laws of Man/Pohjolan laki« (writer)
• Maria Hinterkoerner, Austria | »Die Toten von Salzburg« (writer), »Mandy and the Forces of Evil« (writer, story editor)
• Kerstin Höckel, Germany | »Fritzie - Der Himmel muss warten« (co-creator, head writer), »Polizeiruf 110« (writer)
• Dunya Khayame, The Netherlands | »De Poli« (creator, writer), »ZINA« (writer, actor)
• Stéphane Mitchell, Switzerland | »Quartier des Banques/Banking District « (head writer), »Heidi« (lead writer)
• Nikolaj Storgaard Mortensen, Denmark | »Alt er tilladt/No Rules« (creator, head writer, director), »En for holdet/One for the Team« (head writer)
• Andri Óttarsson, Iceland | »Case« (co-creator, writer), »Black Sands« (co-creator)
• Thara Popoola, UK | »Sex Education« (writer), »Queenie« (writer)
• Marko Popović, Serbia | »The Call« (creator, co-producer, head writer), »The Only Way Out« (creator, head writer)

For more information, please click here.

Once again this year, participants of the European Showrunner Training are guided by acclaimed Danish series writer and showrunner Jeppe Gjervig Gram (»Borgen«, »Follow the Money«), who returns as Head of Programme. The first in-person workshop, held over the weekend in Cologne, focused on fostering exchange among the participating series professionals. Each participant shared their personal journey toward becoming a showrunner and offered insights into the current state of the series industry in their respective home countries.
In addition to introductory sessions on the fundamentals of showrunning and hands-on exercises, the workshop featured in-depth discussions with three distinguished European showrunners. Anna Winger (»Unorthodox«, »Deutschland 83/86/89«, »Transatlantic«; USA/Germany), Julie Skaufel (»Home for Christmas«, »I Do«; Norway), and Head of Programme Jeppe Gjervig Gram (Denmark) each presented their individual approaches to the showrunner role, offering valuable perspectives on how they developed their personal models of creative leadership. The »European Showrunner Training« spans six months and combines online learning with three inperson modules held in Cologne.

About the European Showrunner Programme
Accompanying the European Showrunner Training, the event series »European Showrunner Think Tank« is dedicated to exploring, discussing, and shaping the evolving role of the showrunner within the European context. It serves as a forum for critical dialogue and thought leadership on the future of serialized storytelling in Europe. As the third pillar, the »European Showrunner Network« provides European showrunners with an ongoing platform for professional exchange.

Upcoming Events

• On 3 June, during Seriencamp (3 -5 June), the »European Showrunner Network« will host a dedicated meeting, bringing together renowned showrunners from across Europe for exchange and collaboration.
• On 1 July, Head of Programme Jeppe Gjervig Gram will give a masterclass entitled »Showrunning in Europe: The Craft of Creative Leadership« as part of the Munich Film Festival (27 June – 6 July)

About the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln
Founded in 2000, ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is today one of Germany’s leading training institutions for audiovisual media. Its aim is to provide film and media professionals with high-quality, future-oriented training that closely combines theory and practice. The ifs is located in film and media hub Cologne, which underlines its aim to be close to the industry. The sole partner of ifs is the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.

A group photo can be downloaded here. Please note the photo credit: Photographer Heiko Specht. 
Caption: The participants of the fourth edition of the European Showrunner Training (from left to right); Andri Óttarsson, Aleksandra Chmielewska, Kerstin Höckel, Stéphane Mitchell, Maria Hinterkoerner, Marko Popovič, Anna Winger (Expert), Thara Popoola, Nikolaj Storgaard Mortensen, Tua Harno, Mile Božičević, Nadine Gottmann, Jeppe Gjervig Gram (Head of Programme), Dunya Khayame

Please click here to download more images of the first in-person workshop for further use.
 

Created on 30.05.2025