Experienced series writers from all over Europe selected for European Showrunner Training of the ifs

- Start of the European Showrunner Programme in Cologne with Head of Programme
Jeppe Gjervig Gram (»Borgen« writer and »Follow the Money« showrunner) and the experienced showrunners Jeff Melvoin (»Killing Eve«, »Designated Survivor«), Petja Peltomaa (»Syke/Nurses«) as well as Philipp Käßbohrer and Matthias Murmann (»How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)«, »King of Stonks«)

- European Showrunner Think Tank as part of Seriencamp Cologne

In Cologne, the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln launched the 2023 edition of the »European Showrunner Training«, a training and mentoring programme for aspiring showrunners that is unique on the European market. Here, experienced series writers expand their skills in core areas of showrunning such as creative leadership and deepen their knowledge of production, directing and editing – in preparation of their future work as showrunners.
The part-time, blended learning training is part of the ifs’ »European Showrunner Programme«, which is supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme of the European Union and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW. As a high-profile industry partner, Netflix will continue to support the programme both financially and in terms of content. In addition to Series Mania in Lille and the Film Festival Cologne, the ifs was able to win Seriencamp in Cologne and the Film Festival Gothenburg as new festival partners.
The overwhelming response to the call for entries shows that the training continues to hit a nerve in the industry.
12 particularly qualified series writers from 10 European countries were selected as participants:

•    Tunde Aladese, Germany | »MTV Shuga / Alone Together« (head writer), »Transatlantic« (writer, story editor)
•    Sylvain Caron, France | »The Cage« (creator, head writer), »Balthazar« (writer)
•    Dávid Csicskár, Hungary | »Tóth János« (writer, director), »Elephant« (creator)
•    Senad Halilbasic, Austria | »Der Pass / Pagan Peak« (writer), »Der Greif / The Gryphon« (writer)
•    Frederik Hunschede, Germany | »Think Big!« (creator, writer, executive producer), »Nix Festes« (producer)
•    Matus Krajnak, Slovakia | »Sexfluencing« (head writer, producer, director), »Other White« (head writer, producer, director)
•    Agnieszka Kruk, Poland | »Na Wspólnej« (writer)
•    Matti Laine, Finland | »The Paradise« (head writer), »Bordertown« (writer)
•    Pedro Lopes, Portugal | »Glória« (creator, showrunner), »O Códex 632« (creator, showrunner)
•    Mona Masri, Sweden | »Snabba Cash« (writer), »Copenhagen Cowboy« (writer)
•    Malina Nwabuonwor, Austria | »Sam –  A Saxon« (writer), »Para – We are King«, Season 2 (writer)
•    Rachel Paterson, UK | »Domina« (writer), »Fallen« (head writer, co-executive producer)

For more information please click here.

Throughout the programme, the participants will be supported by renowned Danish series writer and showrunner Jeppe Gjervig Gram (»Borgen«, »Follow the Money«) as Head of Programme.
In the first on-site workshop, which will take place in Cologne from June 11 to 13, Jeff Melvoin (»Killing Eve«, »Designated Survivor«), co-founder of the Writers Guild of America’s »Showrunner Training« will give an introduction to the showrunner model – from its origins in the USA to current concepts in Europe. In particular, he will highlight leadership aspects that are relevant to the showrunner position. In case studies of successful series, top-level writers will provide an overview over showrunning in Europe today: Head of Programme Jeppe Gjervig Gram, Finnish writer and showrunner Petja Peltomaa and the Cologne showrunner duo Philipp Käßbohrer and Matthias Murmann will give participants detailed insights into their individual showrunner models and the genesis thereof.

The »European Showrunner Training« takes place over six months both online and in three on-site modules in Cologne.

About the European Showrunner Programme
Accompanying the European Showrunner Training, the event series »European Showrunner Think Tank« is dedicated to the discussion and definition of the showrunner role in Europe. In addition, the new format »European Showrunner Network« was introduced this year as a platform for continuous exchange between alumni and experts of the programme.

Upcoming Events
Under the headline »Showrunning in Europe – Directing in the Showrunner Model« the next Think Tank is scheduled to take place in Cologne as part of the international industry conference Seriencamp on June 15 at 9.30 am. Guests of the panel are the Belgian directors, writers and producers Kaat Beels (»Tabula Rasa«, »The Clan«, »Hotel Beau Séjour«,) and Nathalie Basteyns (»The Clan«, »Hotel Beau Séjour«), the UK director and writer Annetta Laufer (»Doctor Who«, »Get Millie Black«), and the German director, writer and producer Lutz Heineking (»Other Parents«, »Inside«, »We Are the Meyers«).

About the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln
Founded in 2000, ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is today one of the leading training centres for audiovisual media in Germany. It sees itself as a central, internationally oriented institution for education and professional training for the media industry. Its aim is to offer film and media professionals high-quality, future-oriented training in a close interweaving of theory and practice. Its location in Cologne as a film and media centre particularly characterises its claim to be close to the industry. The sole partner of ifs is the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.

For more information please visit www.showrunners.eu

You can find a group photo for download here.
Please note the photo credit: Photographer Heiko Specht.
Caption: The participants of the second edition of the European Showrunner Training (from left to right), back row: Pedro Lopes, Frederik Hunschede, Malina Nwabuonwor, Matti Laine, Rachel Paterson, Sylvain Caron, Matus Krajnak; front row: Senad Halilbašić, Tunde Aladese, Agnieszka Kruk, Dávid Csicskár (Mona Masri is missing)

Created on 12.06.2023