The third annual Owl Screenwriting Workshop and the inaugural Owl Industry Days 2024 will unfold from October 1 - 4, supported by the Athens Film Office and the City of Athens.

The Workshop looks for writers with international ambitions who have enjoyed early-career success, and scripts that explore escapist storytelling and themes that can draw filmmakers to Greece to shoot and collaborate with Greek partners.   

Eleven international film and television writers are gearing up to take part in the 2024 edition.

The Athens Film Office (AFO), under the city’s growth agency Develop Athens, has once again brought together the Greek and international audiovisual sectors through its flagship screenwriting workshop, The Owl. Held from 1-4 October, this year’s iteration marked the third consecutive edition of the workshop, solidifying Athens’ growing role in global film and television production.

A major highlight of this year's event was the debut of The Owl Industry Days (3-4 October), an initiative that included presentations, discussions and panels focused on Greek fiction productions. Held at the St George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel, The Owl facilitated over 200 networking meetings between producers, screenwriters and industry professionals from Greece and abroad. This exchange of ideas and potential collaborations further underscored Athens' expanding reputation as an international production hub.

Ancient relics have been given a fresh lease of life in the Greek capital, where they’ve been reimagined and reworked to coexist with the 21st-century city, from fashion stores to classical-music venues.

In-the-know visitors make time for the spicy neighbourhoods where modern-day Athenians thrive.
I used to think of Athens as a big ugly city with obligatory ancient sights, fine museums, the Plaka (the extremely touristy old centre), and not much else. “The joy of Greece is outside of Athens,” I wrote. “See Athens’ museums and scram.”
But with each return visit I enjoy the city more than ever before, having realized that it’s a many-faceted city that’s getting its act together, still building on the infrastructure improvements it’s enjoyed since hosting the 2004 Olympics.

From ancient temples to beachside bars, here are our top tips.

Athens, a lively city rich in history and modern flair, is an ideal destination for quick getaways with its accessible flights, stylish accommodations and dynamic dining scene

Overlooking modern-day Athens, the mighty Acropolis is a powerful reminder of the city's ancient history. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, this "high city" served various purposes, from housing Greece's kings to being a center for worship and intellectual activity.

Through natural disasters, foreign invasions and periods of neglect, the Acropolis has proven it was built to last and serves as a symbol of resilience. Many ancient cities around Greece also had their own Acropolis, but the Athenian Acropolis is undoubtedly the most famed, now attracting about three million visitors a year.

Beyond the iconic Parthenon, the site boasts numerous other attractions. Read on for how to get the most out of your visit.

Greece’s charm is found in the variety of experiences it offers. Before arriving in Athens, I spent a few days on the island of Kos for a friend’s wedding. They were married at sunset, with the Aegean Sea bathed in hues of pink and red as the sun dipped below the horizon, the mountains of Turkey just visible beyond the coastline. I spent days swimming in clear turquoise waters, basking on pebble beaches, dipping into thermal baths, and exploring old ancient ruins. We visited a few islands, but by far, my favorite had to be Milos. When it was time to leave the island, Athens was a ferry ride away—a dense city waiting to be explored.