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News from the European Showrunner Progamme

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The European Showrunner Programme is an inspiring, empowering, eye-opening ride with some of the most fearless, passionate creatives I’ve ever met. I am grateful for every spark, every challenge, every late-night fooling around with wonderful colleagues. This was just the beginning – Europe, be prepared, we’re coming!
Huge thanks to the incredible team at the ifs Köln for creating this space to grow and connect.

Kerstin Höckel, Germany

»Fritzie – Der Himmel muss warten«, » Polizeiruf 110 «

Kerstin Hoeckel
© privat
My experience with the European Showrunner Programme was absolutely amazing. First, the idea behind the programme is smart and highly relevant. The lecturers were top-level European professionals, and the sessions covered all key aspects of the showrunning business. The hosts at ifs—Carolin and Hannah—were warm and welcoming, and the organisation was excellent. And finally, the participants were very well chosen; together, we became a genuinely great group.

Marko Popović, Serbia

»The Call«, »The Only Way Out«

In six months, the programme turned uncertainty into confidence. No more groping my way through showrunning — today I understand exactly why, when, where, and how I make every decision.

Nikolaj Storgaard Mortensen, Denmark

»Alt er tilladt/No Rules«, »En for holdet/One for the team«

Nikolaj Storgaard Mortensen
© Rasmus Videbæk
This programme was incredibly inspiring, well-organized, and productive. The word 'showrunner' now has a deeper meaning for me — it takes far more than being ‘just’ an industry professional to create something that truly resonates with people.

Mile Božičević, Croatia

»Hubble Bubble«, »On the Border«

Mile Bozicevic
© Arina Šimićev
Thanks to an amazing mix of colleagues, admin, and mentors, the European Showrunner Programme was nothing less of a complete transformation, professionally as well as personally.

Maria Hinterkoerner, Austria

»Die Toten von Salzburg«, »Mandy and the Forces of Evil«

Maria Hinterkoerner
© Andrei Friedmann
I’m still feeling overwhelmed, in the best possible way, by the breadth of skills and insights I’m taking away from the European Showrunner Programme. Above all, I feel I’ve gained an entirely new sense of myself as a writer and series creator — and I’m excited to put this into practice! Beyond that, the programme fostered wonderful connections with ambitious writers from across Europe, as well as access to an inspiring network of experienced showrunners and the dedicated ifs team, whose commitment and passion truly make this programme special. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Nadine Gottmann, Germany

»Das Signal/The Signal«, »Echt Friends«

Nadine Gottmann
© Sebastian Hilger
The European Showrunner Programme equipped me with the skills, mindset, and international network to steer my career and series to new heights. The programme is just what talented head writers need to up their game and raise the bar and unique voice of European shows.

Tua Harno, Finland

»Dead Women Talking«, »The laws of man/Pohjolan laki«

Tua Harno
© Jonne Räsänen
A programme that broadens your perspective, sparks inspiration, and strengthens your practice. It helped me equally as an artist and a businesswoman.

Dunya Khayame, Netherlands

»De Poli«, »ZINA«

Dunya Khayame
© Roeltje van de Sande Bakhuyzen
The Programme expanded my vision, not just my skills. Learning from visionary mentors proved that you don’t have to compromise integrity for success.

Aleksandra Chmielewska, Poland

»Glitter«,, »Cracow Monsters«

Aleksandra Chmielewska
© Kinooko
The European Showrunner Programme connected me with true titans of the audiovisual industry, brilliant mentors and speakers, and an amazing group of peers with whom the exchanges were as inspiring as they were practical. It massively expanded my network and my perspective, all in a perfectly balanced setting, both online and in person. Huge thanks to European Showrunner Programme, its speakers, its participants, and its organizers. Long live ESP!

Stéphane Mitchell, Switzerland

»Quartier des Banques/Banking District«, »Heidi«

Stéphane Mitchell
© Delphine Luchetta

Participants 2022 - 2025

Tunde Aladese
© Taiye Selasi

Tunde Aladese

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer | »MTV SHUGA«, »TRANSATLANTIC«
Lisa Ambjörn

Lisa Ambjörn

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Lecturers
Writer | »Young Royals«, »Sick (Sjukt)«
Portraitfoto Eric Andreae
© Gina Pigagnelli

Eric Andreae

European Showrunner Programme
Participants
»Mindblow«, »Die Lehrer«
Portraitfoto Judit Anna Banhazi
© privat

Judit Anna Banhazi

European Showrunner Programme
Participants
»Ouija-un été meurtrier«, »Underdog«
Mile Bozicevic
© Arina Šimićev

Mile Božičević

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Hubble Bubble« (co-creator, writer), »On the Border« (writer)
Anna Brotkin
© Joonas Brandt

Anna Brotkin

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Aikuiset/Adults«, »Rakkaat lapset/Perfect Sisters«
Tanja Bubbel
© Doro Tuch

Tanja Bubbel

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Charité«, »Smilla’s Sense of Snow«
Sylvain Caron
© privat

Sylvain Caron

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer, Producer | »THE CAGE«, »BALTHAZAR«
Aleksandra Chmielewska
© Kinooko

Aleksandra Chmielewska

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Glitter« (creator, head writer, creative producer), »Cracow Monsters« (story editor)
 Dávid Csicskár
© László Bellai

Dávid Csicskár

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer, Director | »TÓTH JÁNOS«, »ELEPHANT«
Charlie Dewulf
© Damon De Backer

Charlie Dewulf

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Brak/Broke«, »Liefdestips aan Mezelf/Love Tips to Myself«
Sina Flammang
© Robert Mayer

Sina Flammang

European Showrunner Programme
Participants
»Die drei !!! / The Three Detectives«, »Cassandra«
Jón Gunnar Geirdal
© Baldur Kristjansson

Jón Gunnar Geirdal

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»My Funeral«, »The Teacher's Lounge«
Nadine Gottmann
© Sebastian Hilger

Nadine Gottmann

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Das Signal/The Signal« (co-creator, writer), »Echt Friends« (writer)
Senad Halilbašić
© Christoph Kleinsasser

Senad Halilbašić

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer | »DER PASS«, »DER GREIF«
Tua Harno
© Jonne Räsänen

Tua Harno

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Dead Women Talking« (co-creator, head writer), »The laws of man/Pohjolan laki« (writer)
Maria Hinterkoerner
© Andrei Friedmann

Maria Hinterkoerner

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Die Toten von Salzburg« (writer), »Mandy and the Forces of Evil« (writer, story editor)
Kerstin Hoeckel
© privat

Kerstin Höckel

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Fritzie – Der Himmel muss warten« (co-creator, head writer), » Polizeiruf 110 « (writer)
Martin Horvat
© Blaž Završnik

Martin Horvat

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Talking Tom and Friends«, »Primeri inspektorja Vrenka«
Frederik Hunschede
© Ulrik Eichentopf

Frederik Hunschede

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer & Executive Producer Fiction | »THINK BIG!«, »NIX FESTES«
Juha Karavanen
© Numi Nummelin

Juha Karavanen

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»The Laws of Man«, »66 North Precinct«
Dunya Khayame
© Roeltje van de Sande Bakhuyzen

Dunya Khayame

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»De Poli« (creator, writer), »ZINA« (writer, actor)
Rachel Kilfeather
© Anna Maroutian

Rachel Kilfeather

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Vikings-Valhalla«, »King and Conqueror«
Sanja Kovačević

Sanja Kovačević

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer | »Good Intentions«, »Ours & Yours«
Matus Krajnak
© Zuzana Novak

Matus Krajnak

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer, Director, Producer, Performer | »SEXFLUENCING«, »OTHER WHITE«
Agnieszka Kruk
© Patryjca Toczynska

Agnieszka Kruk

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer, Script development expert | »NA WSPÓLNEJ« (writer), »1899« (language assistant)
Tarja Kylmä

Tarja Kylmä

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer | »Invisible Heroes«
Portraitfoto João Lacerda Matos
© Filipe Ferreira

João Lacerda Matos

European Showrunner Programme
Participants
»O Clube / Good Girls Club«, » Salgueiro Maia – o implicado «
Matti Laine
© Kuva IIkka Saastamoinen

Matti Laine

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer | »THE PARADISE«, »BORDERTOWN«
Portraitfoto Victor Lockwood
© John Kino

Victor Lockwood

European Showrunner Programme
Participants
»One Night to Live«, »Mental«
Pedro Lopes
© Bruno Cotovio

Pedro Lopes

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Scriptwriter and Content Director | »GLÓRIA«, »O CÓDEX 632«
Portraitfoto Makgano Mamabolo
© privat

Makgano Mamabolo

European Showrunner Programme
Participants
»MTV Shuga Mashariki«, »Society 1&2«
Katri Manninen

Katri Manninen

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer | »Shadow Lines«, »Secret of the Borderwoods«
Mona Masri
© private

Mona Masri

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer | »SNABBA CASH«, »COPENHAGEN COWBOY«
Stéphane Mitchell
© Delphine Luchetta

Stéphane Mitchell

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Quartier des Banques/Banking District « (co-creator, head writer), »Heidi« (lead writer)
Alain Moreau
© Rachel Saddedine

Alain Moreau

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
»Enchaînés/Chains«, »OPJ«
Sanne Nuyens

Sanne Nuyens

European Showrunner Programme
Lecturers
European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Writer & Creator | »Hotel Beau Séjour«, »The Twelve«
Malina Nwabuonwor
© Eric Asamoah

Malina Nwabuonwor

European Showrunner Programme
Alumni
Screenwriter | »SAM - EIN SACHSE«, »PARA - WE ARE KING«
Portraitfoto Rodrigo Ordonez
© privat

Rodrigo Ordoñez

European Showrunner Programme
Participants
»Toda la Sangre / Pray for Blood«, »Dani Who«