HBO Max and WBD Access, the company’s talent development division, have unveiled the comeback of their principal writers’ programme for a second consecutive year at Series Mania Institute. Now rebranded as Script Engine, the programme is designed to discover and develop mid-career screenwriters across Europe, with a particular focus on creators with demonstrable connections to France, Spain, Italy and Germany. Building on the strong performance of its first iteration the previous year, the expanded programme provides a structured 4-month development pathway where selected writers will develop original series concepts suited to their regional markets, culminating in presentations to regional HBO Max executives and a subsequent six-month first-look agreement.
A New Chance for Continental European Narrative Creators
Script Engine reflects a substantial investment from HBO Max to cultivate homegrown European talent and promote genuine, locally rooted storytelling. The initiative acknowledges that audiences across the continent are increasingly seeking stories that reflect their local communities, regional languages, and cultural viewpoints. By selecting three writers from each of the four designated regions, HBO Max is demonstrating its belief in the creative potential of mid-career European screenwriters who are already recognised in their home markets but could be missing the funding or professional networks to produce expansive serialised content.
The carefully planned four-month development process offers considerably more than a straightforward writing exercise. Participants will gain access to advanced training programmes, localised coaching adapted for their home markets, and in-depth personalised mentoring designed to refine their creative voice and bolster their industry position. This extensive support framework understands that developing a competitive original series concept requires not only creative talent but also strategic counsel, sector knowledge and bespoke feedback from veteran industry leaders who grasp both the European sector and HBO Max’s international narrative objectives.
- Participants produce new show ideas for HBO Max platforms
- 4-month intensive programme with professional mentoring support
- Final presentations to regional HBO Max executives for input
- Six-month first-look deal in their European regions
How Scripting Engine Works
The Quarterly Development Journey
Script Engine operates as a meticulously designed programme designed to guide writers through the creative and commercial realities of developing television series for a international streaming provider. Over a four-month period, participants undertake a thorough development journey that combines creative exploration with real-world industry expertise. The timeline allows sufficient space for writers to conceptualise their ideas, refine narratives, and develop characters whilst receiving regular feedback and mentorship from industry professionals who understand both the European market and the platform’s strategic direction.
The programme culminates in a official pitch session where each writer presents their completed series concept directly to HBO Max executives in their region. This high-pressure pitch delivers invaluable exposure and expert critique, offering writers the opportunity to communicate their vision to executives controlling commissioning budgets. After these pitches, selected writers begin a six-month first-look period within their respective territories, providing HBO Max first look of their developed projects and providing writers with real opportunities for production and commissioning.
What Members Receive
- Extensive training sessions covering industry standards and industry benchmarks
- Region-specific guidance adapted to European market conditions
- Individual mentoring with established broadcast development specialists
- Strategic input from regional HBO Max leadership and acquisition groups
- 6-month priority viewing arrangement granting priority consideration for developed projects
Geographical Growth and Strategic Direction
Script Engine’s expansion into four major European territories marks a major strategic investment by HBO Max in creating locally anchored storytelling across the continent. The programme’s emphasis on France, Spain, Italy and Germany shows the streaming platform’s understanding that European audiences are increasingly seeking narratives that resonate with their own cultural frameworks and regional preferences. By focusing on these four nations, HBO Max is establishing itself to find and develop fresh creative voices that can create original series with authentic local resonance whilst meeting the platform’s ambitious targets for European content production. This geographical approach recognises that generic storytelling no longer appeals to demanding audiences wanting programmes that reflect their own circumstances and perspectives.
Grace Moss, Vice President of talent pipeline initiatives, emphasised that the growth demonstrates increasing viewer demand for region-specific content across Europe. The decision to return the programme under the Script Engine rebrand reflects HBO Max’s focus on establishing enduring talent pathways in each territory rather than treating European development as a temporary initiative. By recruiting three screenwriters from each country, the programme fosters a competitive though collaborative environment where developing mid-career writers can progress with peers who understand their regional markets. This organised strategy to writer development is designed to produce series concepts that combine commercial appeal with the unique narrative styles that characterise European broadcasting.
| Territory | Number of Writers |
|---|---|
| France | 3 |
| Spain | 3 |
| Italy | 3 |
| Germany | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Notable Achievements from the Inaugural Year
The first Script Engine programme, which finished previously, demonstrated the efficacy of HBO Max’s commitment in European talent development. Writers who participated in the initial phase effectively converted initial concepts into fully realised series pitches that captured the attention of regional executives and audiences alike. The programme’s mentorship framework was key to helping mid-level writers develop their creative vision whilst maintaining the authentic cultural perspective that makes storytelling from Europe unique. Several participants have already moved into development agreements, validating the programme’s core premise that European writers need structured support to navigate the complex landscape of global streaming services and bring their locally rooted stories to global audiences.
The measurable achievements from the first year have encouraged HBO Max to extend Script Engine’s scope and deepen its commitment to writers across Europe. Participants noted that the intensive four-month training programme offered meaningful career progression, with many acknowledging the mentoring support and personalised guidance for strengthening their pitch skills and project development. The following six-month development window offered genuine opportunities for writers to see their work considered seriously by decision-makers, establishing a authentic trajectory from emerging writers to commissioned screenwriter. These early successes have cemented Script Engine as a recognised springboard for writers across Europe looking to create ambitious television concepts that represent their territories’ unique cultural approaches and creative traditions.
Julie-Anna Grignon and The Hum
Among the notable projects from the first year was Julie-Anna Grignon’s series concept “The Hum,” a drama in French that exemplifies the quality of storytelling Script Engine supports. Grignon’s work highlights the programme’s ability to identify writers equipped to produce narratively sophisticated series with strong commercial potential. Through her participation in Script Engine, Grignon honed her creative vision whilst crafting a project that appeals to modern European audiences. “The Hum” exemplifies how the programme’s structured development pathway allows writers to translate bold concepts into persuasive proposals that engage global streaming services, setting a blueprint for upcoming writers seeking to establish themselves within the demanding European TV market.
Application Process and What Comes Next
Aspiring writers from France, Spain, Italy, and Germany are invited to submit applications for the 2026 edition of Script Engine. The selection process will select three writers from each territory, with applications evaluated based on proven writing skills, a strong original series idea and a strong link to their respective regional markets. Interested candidates should review the Series Mania Institute’s official site for comprehensive submission guidelines, submission deadlines and eligibility requirements. The institute will announce the selected cohort in the coming months, with the four-month intensive program commencing shortly after.
Following the conclusion of the formal training period, participants will showcase their projects to HBO Max regional leadership in a showcase designed to elicit valuable input and industry visibility. Successful writers will then commence a 6-month first-look period during which HBO Max retains the first-look option on their developed concepts. This agreement provides real financial motivation for writers whilst providing the service provider priority consideration of promising European-originated series. The blend of expert guidance, executive exposure and contractual first-look opportunities creates a concrete route for emerging screenwriters to progress professionally and possibly obtain development or production deals with one of the world’s leading digital services.
- Submit new series proposals reflecting community cultural perspectives and current storytelling trends.
- Demonstrate intermediate writing credentials with professional portfolio items or significant body of work.
- Commit entirely to the four-month comprehensive development scheme and executive pitch obligations.