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Who is this programme for?
This programme is designed primarily for screenwriters working in film and television who want to understand how writing for games differs from linear storytelling and explore how their existing storytelling skills can translate into interactive formats.
We also warmly welcome writers from across the wider creative industries, including theatre, literature, animation and other narrative disciplines.
No previous professional experience in games is required. The programme is especially suited to writers who want to expand into interactive storytelling, develop cross-industry skills, collaborate more effectively with game teams, or explore new directions for their creative practice.
We welcome a global cohort of writers and encourage applications from across the international creative community.
We believe that some of the most interesting ideas emerge when people from different creative disciplines, cultures and professional backgrounds work together. Diverse cohorts create new perspectives, unexpected connections and the conditions for genuine innovation.
The Programme
As film, television and games increasingly overlap, writers are being asked to think beyond linear storytelling. Interactive narratives require a different understanding of structure, character, choice and audience, while still drawing on many of the skills screenwriters already have.
This five-day residential programme is designed to help experienced screenwriters understand how their craft can translate into games, and to give them the confidence, vocabulary and practical understanding needed to collaborate with game studios and interactive teams.
The aim is not to turn screenwriters into game designers in five days. It is to help them understand how narrative functions in games, where their existing skills are valuable, what they need to approach differently, and how to begin working meaningfully in an interactive medium.
What you’ll explore
1. From linear to interactive Understand how storytelling changes when the audience becomes the player. Explore the shift from fixed narrative structure to choice, consequence and player agency.
3. Writing inside a game team Gain insight into how narrative development works within game production, including collaboration with designers, producers and other disciplines. Explore how writers’ room techniques can be adapted for games, and how collaborative story development changes when player choice, gameplay and interactive systems become part of the writing process.
2. Character, world and choice
Look at how characters, dialogue and story worlds function differently in games - and how writers can create narratives that respond to player behaviour.
4. Translating your existing skills Identify which screenwriting skills transfer naturally into games, where new thinking is required, and how to position yourself for future cross-media and game projects.
Meet the tutor
David Daubitz
Narrative Designer & Game Writer
David is a narrative game designer with extensive experience working across interactive storytelling and education.
Alongside his professional narrative work, he has taught game writing for five years at the International Film School Cologne and has extensive experience facilitating collaborative writers’ rooms.
His approach combines the structural discipline of screenwriting with the systems-thinking, player psychology and collaborative processes required to create narrative for games.
During the retreat, David will lead the core teaching programme and an immersive game-writing simulation designed to give participants first-hand experience of how narrative development works inside a game production environment.
Who it's for
Designed for
Screenwriters, TV writers, filmmakers, playwrights, narrative designers and other experienced storytellers interested in entering or collaborating with the games industry.
You don't need
Previous game development experience or technical/programming skills.
You should have
Professional or substantial writing/storytelling experience and a willingness to work collaboratively.
What's included
Your programme fee includes
Five days of teaching and workshops
Six nights' accommodation
Breakfast and lunch each day
Selected group dinners
Course materials
Writers' room exercises and project development
Tutor feedback
Networking programme / evening activities
Certificate
Not included: travel to Scotland, personal expenses, etc.
Important dates
Application dates
Applicants accepted on a rolling basis, but latest by XX.XX.XXXX
Industry partner benefits
Helsinki Film Lab works with professional guilds, associations and industry networks across film, television and games.
Members of participating organisations may be eligible for a dedicated professional rate for selected programmes. Please indicate your current professional memberships when applying.
Partner organisations also regularly share Helsinki Film Lab programme opportunities with their professional communities.
The Experience
This isn't a conference or a series of lectures. The programme is designed as a residential creative lab, giving a small international group of writers time to learn, experiment, exchange ideas and build something together.
Stay & practical information
Make the castle your writers' room.
Private rooms are limited and allocated on a first-booked basis. Shared rooms are twin occupancy.
FAQs
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This programme is designed for professional and emerging screenwriters, writers, narrative designers and other story professionals who want to understand how writing for games differs from linear storytelling.
You do not need previous professional experience in the games industry, but applicants should have a strong interest in narrative craft and collaborative creative development.
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No. The programme is specifically designed to help writers from film, television and other narrative backgrounds understand the structures, processes and creative possibilities of game writing.
Previous games experience is welcome, but it is not required.
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No. You can participate without bringing an existing project.
There may be opportunities to apply the methods explored during the programme to your own story world, screenplay or game concept, but the course is designed to be valuable whether or not you arrive with a project in development.
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The programme has a limited number of places and participants are selected through an application process.
The application fee is €150. For this cohort, the application fee will be refunded to applicants who are not offered a place.
Successful applicants will receive an offer of participation together with information on confirming their place and the remaining payment schedule.
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Yes. Accepted participants will be able to confirm their place with an initial payment, with the remaining programme fee payable according to the payment schedule provided with the offer.
Any available instalment options will be clearly outlined before participants commit to the programme.
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Yes. Depending on your country of residence, employment status and professional background, you may be eligible for professional development, training or international mobility funding.
Accepted participants can request supporting documentation including the programme description, learning objectives, teaching hours, tutor information, programme fee and confirmation of acceptance.
Funding decisions are made independently by the relevant funding organisations, so Helsinki Film Lab cannot guarantee that an application will be successful.
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Members of participating professional guilds, writers' organisations and industry associations may be eligible for a dedicated professional rate.
Please choose the relevant professional memberships in your application form. Proof of current membership may be requested.
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Yes. The programme brings together people from different parts of the storytelling industries, and applicants do not need to fit one narrow professional profile.
If your work involves storytelling and you are seriously interested in understanding interactive narrative and games, we encourage you to apply.
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Yes. Companies, production companies and other organisations can pay the programme fee on behalf of an accepted participant.
An invoice can be issued to the organisation where required.
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Yes. The working language of the programme is English.
Participants should be comfortable taking part in professional discussions, collaborative exercises and writing activities in English.
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This is an immersive professional-development programme rather than a conventional holiday retreat.
Teaching, collaborative work and practical exercises take place throughout the programme, while the residential format also allows time for informal discussion, reflection and connection with the other participants.
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Yes. The programme is designed to balance structured teaching and collaborative exercises with time to reflect, develop ideas and continue conversations outside the formal sessions
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Accommodation is provided as part of the residential programme.
Room configurations depend on the final venue and availability. Where possible, participants may be able to choose between private and shared accommodation options, with any corresponding price differences confirmed before booking.
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Detailed travel information will be sent to accepted participants well in advance of the programme.
Depending on the final venue, Helsinki Film Lab may also coordinate recommended arrival times and shared transfers from a nearby airport or railway station.
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Absolutely. The programme is international and applications are welcome from anywhere in the world.
Participants travelling from outside the UK should ensure that they meet any applicable passport, immigration or visa requirements.
For writers who cannot travel to Europe, Helsinki Film Lab also offers an online version of the Narrative Game Design for Screenwriters programme.
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Participants who complete the full programme will receive a certificate of participation from Helsinki Film Lab.
What People Are Saying
“A professional team that delivers on their promises. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out throughout the entire project. We’ve already recommended them to others and would be happy to work with them again any time.”
— Former Customer“Creative, reliable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. Communication was top-notch and the final outcome was even better than we imagined. A great experience all around. If you’re looking for great partners, you’ve come to the right place.”
— Former Customer“Every detail was thoughtfully executed. We're thrilled with the outcome—it’s been such a worthwhile investment to work with a team of genuinely passionate people who not only care about the results, but also care about their clients as people.”
— Former Customer