WBD Access x Series Mania Institute Writers ProgramME

Drawing on its experience in designing and organizing training programmes and workshops for series professionals worldwide, Series Mania Institute is proud to launch, as part of its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, a new programme focusing on serial writing, as part of the WBD Access program collection. 

In view of the rapid changes taking place in the global series industry, and the presence of many talented screenwriters in Europe ready to work for productions with international ambitions, this program aims to build a connection between European writers and the HBO/Max brand. 

Delivered entirely in English, the programme will target six European screenwriters who already have professional experience in series, enabling them to work hands-on on original series concepts. 

A final jury of Warner Bros.Discovery executives will meet on the final day to listen to concept pitches from the six participants, and award one winning project an invitation to Series Mania Forum 2026. 

Particular attention will be given to promoting all forms of diversity, with the aim of ensuring gender diversity and equal opportunities for applicants of all genders and backgrounds, in line with an inclusive approach.

Objectives

• Help mid-lever European screenwriters develop their project
• Deliver a spec script for their series project
• To expand the pool of writers for potential collaboration with WBD programming teams in Europe.

Method 

• Two writer mentors to follow the six participants throughout the programme, through individual and group meetings, and writers room simulation
• Participants will have the opportunity to meet renowned international series professionals during exclusive masterclasses
• Participants will be trained on pitching techniques

Participant eligibility

• Be a European screenwriter based in France, Germany, Spain or the UK (either citizen or resident with the right to work in the country) with a project in development (it can be a project you are already developing or a new idea developed specifically for the workshop).
• Have at least two professional writing credits on a broadcast or streaming TV series, OR one professional writing credit on a TV series and one feature released in cinemas or in festivals in the past 3 years.

Process : How to apply?

Only applications in English will be accepted. To participate in the selection process, applications must be submitted online via the dedicated web page (Submissions by e-mail, post or any other means will not be accepted).

Round 1

When applying, each applicant must provide the following elements:

• A writing sample from one of their scripts from current or past projects, to show their writing style (max. 3 pages)
• A CV outlining their relevant professional experience

Round 2 

Applicants selected to progress to Round 2 will be contacted by Series Mania Institute and asked to submit a one to two page page concept pitch matching the brief below. 

Please do not submit these documents at the first stage in the application. Longlisted applicants will be notified in January 2025 and asked to submit their concept pitch. 

If you are ultimately selected, this idea will be the spec script you develop over the course of the programme, with the support of the Series Mania Institute and your mentors throughout the programme. 

When thinking about the concept pitch, your idea must adhere to the steers detailed below.

This is your opportunity to showcase your voice and demonstrate the stories and themes you’re passionate about exploring, while also working to a creative brief.

• Category: Series only (TV films, feature films, etc. will not be accepted).
• Length: 45-60′ episodes, 6-8-episode seasons
• Genre: Mostly drama, but with a heavy interest in genre-based storytelling
• Returning or with the ability to return (though with a strong season arc too – not purely episodic)
• A smart and powerful story engine :
  • ideally character-driven
  • ⁠with clarity of theme
  • with clarity of genre

• Differentiating, “premium” : genre-defying, genre-defining or fresh in some way (due to the choice of character, angle, or other strong defining factor)
• Contemporary, not period
• Not or less of a focus : comedies and dramedies, miniseries, 26-30’ episodes, Police procedurals, Young Adult content, arena-based content
• Only original concepts for season 1 will be accepted. Remakes of foreign or domestic series, season 2s or series already broadcast will not be accepted.
• The project must have international potential.

Applicants must hold all rights to the series project submitted as part of their application and on which they will work during the programme if selected. They declare and guarantee that they are the sole authors of the series project subject to the pitch submitted with their application and commit to retaining their rights and not entering into any agreements regarding the project until the final pitch of the programme if selected; they specifically commit not to grant any options or transfer or grant any rights to a production company, broadcaster, or platform.