HBO Max and WBD Access, the company’s talent development division, have announced the return of their writers’ program for a second year at Series Mania Institute.
Now titled Script Engine, the program is “designed to identify and support the development of mid‑level screenwriters to create original, locally rooted series,” according to a press release. Following a successful inaugural program last year, its second run aims to “focus on writers with demonstrable connection to France, Spain, Italy and Germany, offering a structured development pathway aligned with HBO Max’s strategic ambitions for original storytelling across Europe.”
Three writers from each aforementioned European territory will be selected for a four-month structured program, where they will work to develop an original series concept for HBO Max. The writers will undergo high-level training, regional-specific coaching and one-to-one mentoring in order to “refine their creative voice, strengthen their professional positioning and develop projects that reflect the cultural specificity and storytelling priorities of their local markets,” as the release states.
Script Engine will culminate in a presentation with regional HBO Max execs where each writer will share their work and get feedback, followed by a six-month first-look period in their respective territories.
“WBD Access is thrilled to work with HBO Max to bring the writers’ program back — returning under the new name of Script Engine,” Grace Moss, VP of inclusion pipeline programs, said in a statement. “The expansion of this program into new countries is a signal that our audiences are increasingly hungry for more locally relevant stories and, more than ever, we’re curious to hear from the next generation of outstanding writers. This program is about creating a real pathway for mid-level talent to sharpen their voice, develop ambitious series concepts and help us find fresh new stories for local audiences across Europe and beyond — I can’t wait to see what this year’s edition of Script Engine will bring.”
Added Pierre Ziemniak, Series Mania Institute’s director of programs: “Series Mania Institute, as the training arm of Series Mania, draws on the Festival and Forum’s international network and has established itself in just a few years as a major hub for professionals in the audiovisual sector, particularly screenwriters. Following the program’s inaugural edition last year, we are delighted to continue our collaboration with WBD and HBO Max to connect Europe’s best mid-level writers to Script Engine.”
Last year’s writers’ program winner was French screenwriter Julie-Anna Grignon, who developed a pilot for her project “The Hum.” Other shortlisted writers included Peter Furrer (Germany), Ciron Gruffydd (U.K.), Almudena Monzú (Spain), Isabella Oliveira Parise Kröger (Germany) and Kaamil Shah (U.K.).
“The program was excellent,” Grignon said. “It gave me the opportunity to meet some very talented fellow European writers, to work with supportive and knowledgeable mentors, and, above all, to receive comprehensive guidance from HBO in developing my writing project. Throughout the program, my series “The Hum” was able to evolve and take shape while remaining deeply personal.”
Applications for Script Engine will open on April 2 and close April 26. Full eligibility criteria and application details will soon be made available via WBD Access.
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