The Oxbelly Retreat is an annual, international gathering of creatives dedicated to exchanging ideas, deepening technical training and broadening artistic horizons through cross-cultural dialogue. In 2025, the Oxbelly Retreat includes specialized programs for fiction and literary writers. As every year, the programs are led by accomplished professionals in their respective fields. For 2025, the Screenwriters program is led by Radu Jude (Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World), while the Fiction Writers program is led by Chigozie Obioma (The Road to the Country).

Fiction Writers

The Fiction Writers program, under the guidance of Program Director Chigozie Obioma, hosts ten emerging writers who seek to upgrade their technique, strengthen their literary voice and contribute to cross-cultural dialogues around the concept of storytelling. The programme offers a series of workshops, led by a team of accomplished writers, as well as free writing time in the serene atmosphere of the Messinian countryside.

Participants will have the opportunity to develop their work during the morning hours, while in the evenings, they will be able to participate in a joint programme of interdisciplinary events with distinguished guests including renowned film and literature professionals as well as creators from the broader spectrum of narrative art.

Past advisors and special guests include Maren Ade, Paul Thomas Anderson, Willem Dafoe, Dee Rees, Barry Jenkins, Mati Diop, Michael Almereyda, Nick Kroll, Lulu Wang, Sue Naegle, Fiammetta Rocco, Rebecca Makkai, Bill Clegg, Charlie Kaufman, Fanny Herrero, Isabella Hammad and longtime artistic director of Oxbelly’s Screenwriters & Directors programs, Athena Rachel Tsangari.

Υοu may send your application through the 22nd of January2025. There is no application fee and all travel and accommodation expenses of the participants are covered by the organization.

The 2025 Oxbelly Retreat is supported by Faliro House, Costa Navarino and the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation. Additional support for Oxbelly 2025 participants is provided by Grace Lay of Linlay Production, Greg Beauchamp of Bindery Films and Wendy Ettinger.