European Showrunner Programme

The European Showrunner Programme (ESP) aims at establishing the showrunner position in Europe.

It is truly unique in its content and scope and consists of two elements:

European Showrunner Training

A part-time training and mentoring programme designed for experienced European series writers offering comprehensive insights and key skills for showrunners in Europe

Online Info Event: 25 February 2026

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European Showrunner Think Tank I at Series Mania Forum 2022

European Showrunner Think Tanks

A series of industry panels providing a platform for exchange and discussion to further develop, define and eventually establish the showrunner approach in Europe

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First Survey on Showrunning in Europe

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News from the European Showrunner Programme

ifs Publishes First Comprehensive Report on Showrunning in Europe

»Showrunning in Europe – Skills, Tasks, Responsibilities«

Participants of the European Showrunner Training 2025 ifs filmschule

European Showrunner Programme at ifs Announces New Cohort

Top Series Writers from Across Europe Join Fourth Edition of Prestigious Training

Unique showrunner training programme at the ifs enters its 4th round

European Showrunner Think Tank

with showrunner Fanny Herrero (»Call My Agent!«, »Standing Up«) @ Göteborg Film Festival’s TV Drama Vision

ifs Studierende beim ifs-Showcase auf dem Seriencamp 2024

Seriencamp Conference 2024

Recap: Great ifs events and a prize for ifs alumnus

First on-site workshop of the European Showrunner Training

The workshop was led by Head of Programme Jeppe Gjervig Gram and showrunner Marianne Wendt

Participants European Showrunner Programme 2024

European Showrunner Training at ifs announces Participants

Top writers from accross Europe to take part in Round 3

Moderator Fitore Muzaqi, Matthew Hastings, and Tyron Ricketts

»Social Impact Storytelling & Showrunning«

European Showrunner Think Tank with Matthew Hastings & Tyron Ricketts

When I became a showrunner for the first time, I expected the job to be more-or-less like that of an episode writer – only with more power. I was in for a big surprise. Leading the writers’ room is not just about writing, and outside the room a whole new range of disciplines awaits. Being a showrunner is a highly complex job. This course wants to equip European showrunners with the skills needed not just to create their series, but to properly run their show.

Jeppe Gjervig Gram

Writer »Borgen«, Creator/Showrunner »Follow the Money«
Head of Programme

The European Showrunner Programme is a much needed initiative addressing a pressing issue which will benefit both individual writers and the European series industry significantly.

Carolin Otto

President of the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE)

Roundup 2025

European Showrunner Programme 2025

We have sucessfully completed the fourth edition of the European Showrunner Programme!

Please find our Round-up 2025-broschure below (downloadable as PDF) featuring a summary of the European Showrunner Training as well as the European Showrunner Think Tanks.

European Showrunner Programme RoundUp 2025