Cinema Residency 2026 – International Screenwriting Workshop
May 11–15, 2026 | Puglia, Italy
Cinema Residency 2026 is an intensive, in-person international screenwriting workshop designed for experienced writers who want to develop a feature film or series project in a focused, professional environment.
The residency will take place from May 11 to May 15, 2026, in Puglia, southern Italy, and will host a selected group of 15 screenwriters from around the world.
MENTORS
The workshop will be guided by three internationally respected mentors:
James V. Hart – screenwriter of Hook, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Contact
Christopher Vogler – author of The Writer’s Journey and longtime Disney story consultant
Claire Dobbin – global script editor, former president of the Melbourne International Film Festival, and mentor in major international script labs
James V. Hart and Claire Dobbin will lead the residency in person, while Christopher Vogler will participate online, delivering lectures and conducting one-to-one mentoring sessions.
WORKSHOP STRUCTURE
Cinema Residency is built as an intensive working environment combining:
- individual mentoring sessions
- group presentations and script discussions
- lectures by the mentors
- collaborative story exercises
- informal evening conversations with mentors and fellow writers
Morning sessions will include presentations and individual meetings with James V. Hart and Claire Dobbin.
Afternoons will feature online lectures and one-to-one consultations with Christopher Vogler.
WHAT ABOUT "STORY COMPASS AI"
Story Compass is a narrative analysis method developed within the HartChart approach by James V. Hart. It helps writers clarify the emotional direction of their story before or during the drafting process.
Rather than focusing only on plot mechanics, Story Compass examines the emotional spine of a project: what the protagonist wants, what they truly need, and how their internal transformation aligns with external events. It identifies turning points, emotional shifts and thematic coherence, highlighting strengths and inconsistencies.
Story Compass is not an AI rewriting tool and it does not generate or rewrite your screenplay. It functions as a structured analytical guide. The writer remains fully responsible for the creative work, using the insights provided to revise and strengthen the project through their own craft and voice.
ALL PROJECTS RECEIVE A PROFESSIONAL STORY COMPASS ANALYSIS
All projects submitted through FilmFreeway (entry fee €350) will receive a professional analysis of their 5-page treatment using the Story Compass method developed by James V. Hart (HartChart).
(For more information on Story Compass visit: https://www.hartchart.com/storycompassai
)
Every submission will receive a structured written evaluation within two months, focused on emotional progression, character transformation and narrative clarity.
This ensures that every applicant receives meaningful professional feedback, regardless of the final selection.
FULL WORKSHOP SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE BEST PROJECTS
For every 10 submissions received through FilmFreeway, one additional free place at Cinema Residency 2026 will be unlocked.
The strongest project among each group of 10 applicants will be selected and invited to attend the workshop free of charge (regular participation fee €3,500).
Travel expenses are not included.
Example:
10 submissions = 1 full scholarship
20 submissions = 2 full scholarships
30 submissions = 3 full scholarships
40 submissions = 4 full scholarships
50 submissions = 5 full scholarships
A maximum of 5 workshop places have been reserved for FilmFreeway applicants under this scholarship model.
Selection will be based on project quality and professional potential.
