The 2026 Oxbelly Retreat will be held July 1-9 in Costa Navarino, Greece. Screenwriters and literary fiction writers are invited to apply by the January 14 deadline.

Oxbelly is a Greek nonprofit founded by producer and Faliro House founder Christos V. Konstantakopoulos. The Oxbelly Retreat is an annual gathering of international storytellers, dedicated to the exchange of ideas, deepening of craft, and broadening of artistic horizons through intercultural dialogue. It is supported by Faliro House, the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation and Costa Navarino.

In 2026, the Oxbelly Retreat includes programs for writers working in film and literature to workshop their writing with both advisors and peers and to engage in dialogue across mediums through the interdisciplinary evening sessions. Each program is led by established writers in their respective fields.

The Screenwriters program, led by Romanian filmmaker Radu Jude, supports writer-directors developing their second fiction feature films who are seeking to strengthen their craft and push the boundaries of their unique cinematic voice. Fellows will workshop their scripts through individualized meetings with experienced writer-director advisors and participate in sessions on specific aspects of the creative process. The program promotes a multidisciplinary approach: fellows participate in sessions with creatives from other fields, such as theatre, visual arts, and literature, encouraging them to broaden their narrative perspective and explore storytelling across forms. The first four days consist of one-on-one sessions and workshops with experienced writer-director advisors.

The Fiction Writers program, led by Nigerian writer Chigozie Obioma, brings together ten writers from around the world for a week of literary and creative exchange. The program supports emerging fictional prose writers committed to elevating their craft, strengthening their literary voice, and contributing to intercultural dialogues around storytelling. Fellows engage in workshops and craft sessions led by faculty and guests who are themselves established and acclaimed writers and industry leaders, followed by unstructured time to write in the serene and transformative environment the Messinian scenic landscape offers. The first four days consist of a series of writing workshops led by acclaimed writers, along with dedicated one-on-one sessions. The second half offers a mini-residence for fellows to soak in the scenic and peaceful atmosphere of Costa Navarino and produce work.

Evenings consist of interdisciplinary programming for all attendees: a curated series of sessions exploring the craft of writing, readings, screenings and panel discussions that cut across multiple mediums. Fellows will also have the opportunity to engage with attendees from other creative sectors. Past Oxbelly advisors and guests have included Maren Ade, Paul Thomas Anderson, Willem Dafoe, Barry Jenkins, Charlie Kaufman, Dee Rees, Michael Almereyda, Rebecca Makkai, Bill Clegg, Jane Campion, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Isabella Hammad, Fanny Herrero, Annemarie Jacir, Nick Kroll, Sue Naegle, Fiammetta Rocco, Namwali Serpell, Joerg Winger and Athina Rachel Tsangari, among others.

While the 8-day program focuses on the creative writing process, the established creatives and industry professionals who participate in Oxbelly become resources to the fellows’ projects and careers post-Retreat. After the Retreat, Oxbelly offers fiction writers additional support for their writing and career. Avenues of support include a partnership with Granta, one of the world’s leading literary platforms, where, once a year, fellows may submit unpublished work directly to the editors to be considered for potential publication.

The Screenwriters program is open to Greek and international applicants, 18 years old and over, who are writer-directors applying with their second fiction feature film. The Fiction Writers program is open to Greek and international applicants who are emerging writers of novels or short stories, including unpublished writers and students, 18 years old and over. The sole criteria for selection is quality of writing.

There is no cost to apply and all expenses for fellows are covered. Finalists will be interviewed in late spring 2026.

Deadline: January 14, 2026

For more information and to apply, visit www.oxbelly.com