A dozen writers make it onto International Film School of Cologne’s European Showrunner Programme

Participants-European-Showrunner-Programme-2025

European Showrunner Programme 2025 participants

Sex Education writer Thara Popoola, Black Sands co-creator Andri Óttarson and The Signal co-creator Nadine Gottmann are among writers selected for the fourth edition of the International Film School of Cologne’s European Showrunner Programme.

The new cohort of writers will receive professional training in Cologne with Borgen’s Jeppe Gjervig Gram, who is head of programme, and showrunners Anna Winger (Unorthodox) and Julie Skaufel (I Do).

The scheme provides a training and mentoring programme designed to support experienced series writers in developing the skills required for successful showrunning.

Participants deepen their expertise in areas such as creative leadership and series production, while also exploring topics like artificial intelligence and sustaimable production.

The scheme, which is funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme, has also partnered with the Swiss foundation FOCAL and events including Seriencamp in Cologne and TV Drama Vision at Film Festival Gothenburg.

This year’s cohort includes:

  • Mile Božičević, Croatia, Hubble Bubble (co-creator, writer), On the Border (writer)
  • Aleksandra Chmielewska, Poland, Glitter (co-creator, head writer, creative producer), Cracow Monsters (story editor)
  • Nadine Gottmann, Germany, Das Signal/The Signal (co-creator, writer), Echt Friends (writer)
  • Tua Harno, Finland, Dead Women Talking (co-creator, head writer), The Laws of Man/Pohjolan laki (writer)
  • Maria Hinterkoerner, Austria, Die Toten von Salzburg (writer), Mandy and the Forces of Evil (writer, story editor)
  • Kerstin Höckel, Germany, Fritzie - Der Himmel muss warten (co-creator, head writer), Polizeiruf 110 (writer)
  • Dunya Khayame, The Netherlands, De Poli (creator, writer), ZINA (writer, actor)
  • Stéphane Mitchell, Switzerland, Quartier des Banques/Banking District (head writer), Heidi (lead writer)
  • Nikolaj Storgaard Mortensen, Denmark, Alt er tilladt/No Rules (creator, head writer, director), En for holdet/One for the Team (head writer)
  • Andri Óttarson, Iceland, Case (co-creator, writer), Black Sands (co-creator)
  • Thara Popoola, UK, Sex Education (writer), Queenie (writer)
  • Marko Popović, Serbia, The Call (creator, co-producer, head writer), The Only Way Out (creator, head writer)