Applications openWriting for Mobile Games — live online, starts January 2027

No silos. Just worldbuilding.

Helsinki Film Lab

Industry courses for professionals in film, TV, games, literature and the wider creative industries — online and on-site internationally.

Explore courses About us

Your industry. A wider world.

Anyone, anywhere in the world working in the creative industries is welcome to apply. Each course has its own focus and prerequisites, and we welcome perspectives from across industries.

Short online courses

Focused learning that connects creative professionals across borders.

Advanced online courses

Time to deepen your practice and explore new approaches to your work.

Onsite courses and retreats

In-person learning and creative exchange in destinations around the world.

Explore our courses

Live online

Writing for Mobile Games: For Screenwriters and Storytellers

A seven-week live online professional course with mobile narrative expert Rachel Darshan (FarmVille, Merge Mansion). Designed as an accessible way into the world of mobile games, the course shows how storytelling changes when the audience becomes the player — and how screenwriters can translate their existing skills into interactive writing.

→28 January – 11 March 2027
→Thursdays · 16:00–18:30 CET
→Led by mobile narrative expert Rachel Darshan (FarmVille, Merge Mansion)
→A practical introduction to writing for mobile games
→Player choice, branching narrative & interactive structure
→Approximately 16 hours of live teaching
→Practical assignments and portfolio-ready work
→No technical background required

From €850

Details Apply

Onsite

Dark Worlds: From Screenwriter to Video Game Writer

Enter a story world where the audience gets to act. This five-day narrative design retreat invites screenwriters and storytellers to explore player agency, branching structure, worldbuilding and interactive storytelling through darker genres such as horror, dystopia and speculative fiction. Learn by doing, collaborate with other creatives and develop new ways of thinking about story across games, screen and transmedia.

→Player agency and branching structure
→Worldbuilding and interactive storytelling
→Horror, dystopia and speculative fiction
→Learn by doing, collaborating with other creatives
→Small, hand-picked group
→On-site destination to be confirmed

Our Creative Ecosystem

Our tutors and guest speakers bring experience from Remedy Entertainment, Rovio, Ubisoft, Supermassive Games, Zynga and beyond.

The HFL community

People. Ideas. Connections.

Explore the community

Participants in a Helsinki Film Lab workshop — Learning togetherPhoto: Hera Choi

Audience members at the 2025 Transmedia Summit — Ideas in the roomPhoto: Hera Choi

Helsinki Film Lab participants gathering at a networking event — New connectionsPhoto: Hera Choi

Three attendees at a Helsinki Film Lab networking event — Across creative industriesPhoto: Hera Choi

Attendees in conversation at the 2025 Transmedia Summit — Conversations beyond the sessionPhoto: Hera Choi

Speakers on stage at the 2025 Transmedia Summit — Perspectives from the industryPhoto: Hera Choi

In their words

Across industries, shared experiences

“We came away with a much better understanding of what to look for when assessing IP for transmedia, while also making valuable new industry connections.”

Valeriy NeznakhinSavukivi GamesTransmedia Game Jam Accelerator

“It was a really inspiring experience. Working with the game teams went well, everyone had a good time, and one of our team members came away saying, ‘I’ve found my people.’”

Krista HannulaProducer, Character HouseTransmedia Game Jam Accelerator

“I’ll definitely be using the tools from the course in my own work. It was valuable to shift my perspective from traditional screenwriting towards thinking about multiple agencies, world holders and a much broader storyworld.”

Vilja AutiokyröScreenwriterCreating a Transmedia Strategy

Apply

Tell us about your creative practice, your experience and what you want to explore.

Get accepted

We review every application and reply by email.

Pay & join

Accepted students receive a secure payment link to confirm their place.