• New partner FOCAL from Switzerland supports the European programme 
• Series writers can still apply until 6 April 
• Online info event on 20 March

After three successful years, the »European Showrunner Programme« of the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is entering its 4th round. The unique programme for the showrunner position in Europe imparts key knowledge and skills required for this role.
The fact that Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme of the European Union is already supporting the programme for the fourth year shows that the English-language professional training programme meets the current demand. This year's programme is also being supported for the first time by the Swiss foundation FOCAL.

Nadja Radojevic, Managing Director of ifs: “We are delighted to have gained FOCAL as a new partner. With its valuable support, FOCAL encourages us to drive the development of creative series talent in Europe - especially in showrunning.”

Rachel Schmid, Director of FOCAL - Stiftung Weiterbildung Film und Audiovision: “More and more series are being produced in Europe as international co-productions and according to variations of the US showrunner model. It therefore makes sense to train together. We are proud to be a partner of this unique training programme and network.”
The programme's festival partners include the Film Festival Cologne, the Series Camp and the Gothenburg Film Festival.

The »European Showrunner Programme« includes the »European Showrunner Training«, a six-month, part-time professional training and mentoring programme for experienced series writers who want to expand their skills in core areas of showrunning, such as creative leadership, production, as well as knowledge in directing, editing and topics such as AI and green producing. This is accompanied by the »European Showrunner Think Tank«, a series of public events dedicated to defining and establishing the role of the showrunner in Europe. In addition, the »European Showrunner Network« format enables a continuous exchange between established showrunners and up-and-coming showrunners from all over Europe. 
The training starts on 30 May, the application deadline is 6 April. An online information event will take place via Zoom on 20 March.

The »European Showrunner Programme« is shaped by internationally renowned showrunner personalities and series experts. The renowned Danish series writer and showrunner Jeppe Gjervig Gram (»Borgen«, »Follow the Money«) will once again be Head of Programme in 2025. The numerous high-profile lecturers and mentors in recent years have included renowned showrunners such as Fanny Herrero (»Call My Agent«, »Drôle«, France), Malin-Sarah Gozin (»Tabula Rasa«, »Bad Sisters«, Belgium), Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar (»Dark«, »1899«, Germany), Francesca Gardiner (»Succession«, »Killing Eve«, UK), Teresa Fernández-Valdés (»Nacho«, »Cable Girls«, Spain) and Edgar Medina (»Matilha/Dogpack«, »South«, Portugal), but also renowned experts from other fields such as director Uta Briesewitz (»Stranger Things«, »Westworld«, »The Wire«, USA/BRD), NETFLIX marketing professional Fana Giorgis (»Kleo«, BRD), actor Sven Nordin (»Lillehamer«, »Wisting«, Norway) or VFX supervisor Dadi Einarsson (»The Witcher«, »House of the Dragon«, Iceland).

Among the participants in the first three years were experienced and established series writers, some of whom were already responsible for their first series projects in the showrunner role, such as Lisa Ambjörn (»Young Royals«, »Sjukt/Sick«, Sweden), Anna Brotkin (»Aikuiset/Adults«), Sanne Nuyens (»Hotel Beau Séjour«, »The Twelve«, Belgium), Pedro Lopes (»Glória«, »O Códex 632«, Portugal) and Mona Masri (»Easy Money«/»Snabba Cash«, »Copenhagen Cowboy«). They all said they had benefited greatly from the programme, as did graduate Jon Gunnar Geirdal, writer and showrunner from Iceland (»My Funeral«, »The Teacher's Lounge«): "The ifs European Showrunner Programme blew my very high expectations. It was an eye-opener on so many levels of the industry on top of strengthening my global network. I could not be happier with what I learned and how the programme will strengthen me and my vision in my future projects."

In European series production, the showrunner position continues to grow in importance. Showrunners ensure the artistic integrity of a series – from story development to post-production and marketing. They must be excellent series writers with a strong artistic vision and excellent knowledge of core disciplines such as series producing, directing and editing. They bring together a highly professional team of creatives whom they continually inspire and motivate.

Founded in 2000, the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is today one of the leading study and professional training institutions for audiovisual media in Germany. Its aim is to provide film and media professionals with a high-quality, future-oriented education that closely combines theory and practice. Its location in the film and media hub of Cologne is particularly characteristic of its claim to be close to the industry. 
The ifs’ sole principal partner is the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.

For more information, visit www.showrunners.eu