Screenplay Unlimited, with the support of Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, is inviting experienced Irish storytellers (writers, creators, showrunners, directors, producers, story editors…) developing or intending to develop High-End TV series projects to apply to the 2025-2026 edition of Emmanuel Oberg’s programme, The Rewrite Stuff: 12 Ways to a Stronger Screenplay, which will open in November 2025 with Stage 1, an advanced TV Series online workshop (17-21 November 2025).
This first stage forms part of the selection process and preparation for the rest of the programme. It isn’t project-led, so it’s also aimed at experienced filmmakers wanting to move to the TV sector who might not have a HETV series in active development yet, and at experienced TV professionals who would like to get back into the business after a hiatus, update their skills and / or give a boost to their career.
In December 2025, a selection of Stage 1 participants who have also applied to the rest of the programme with a HETV series project will be joined by a selection of previous participants of Emmanuel’s TV Series workshop or online course to attend Stage 2. This project-led, hands-on TV series rewrite workshop will start off in-person with an intensive week in Dublin (12-17 January 2026) and will continue online until May 2026.
After a very successful 2025 edition of our Feature-length Film & HETV Rewrite Workshop for Screen Ireland, we have decided to expand the programme and to shift the focus to HETV series this year. Going forward, our intention is to alternate feature films and TV series each year.
The 2025-2026 HETV Series Rewrite Programme for Screen Ireland will take place in two stages between November 2025 and May 2026:
Writing a Successful TV Series is an advanced online workshop, part self-led, part live. This stage isn’t project-led and is open to Irish storytellers already developing TV Series as well as those intending to move or diversify from feature film development to the HETV sector: writers, creators, showrunners, directors, producers, story editors, development execs… Anyone experienced in script development eager to learn more about how to design, develop and pitch a successful TV Series. This workshop is open both to individuals and members of creative teams.
A project isn’t needed for this stage, so it’s possible to apply to Stage 1 only, or to apply to Stage 1 first and then decide whether to apply to Stage 2 with a project.
Completing this first stage is mandatory for Stage 2 applicants who haven’t already completed Emmanuel’s TV Series workshop or online course, as this workshop forms part of the selection process and preparation for the rest of the programme.
Applicants who have already completed Emmanuel’s TV Series workshop or online course can skip Stage 1 and apply to Stage 2 directly with their series project.
The Rewrite Stuff – 12 Ways to a Stronger Series is a hands-on, project-led rewrite workshop open to experienced professionals developing a HETV series project, applying as “solo” writers or as creative teams (writers / creators / showrunner / producer / director / story editor / development exec or co-writers working on the same project). Only those with a TV series project can apply to Stage 2 and the main writer(s) must take part.
Denise Deegan is an Irish novelist & PAGE Award-winning screenwriter who did two TV Series workshops with Screenplay Unlimited and whose career has since seen a meteoric rise! She took part in the previous edition of The Rewrite Stuff for TV Series and she discusses her experience with Emmanuel Oberg here.
Thanks to support from Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, this seven-month programme (one month for Stage 1 and/or six months for Stage 2) is entirely free for the participants. However, Stage 2 participants are asked to cover their travel, meals and accommodation costs (minimum 4 days / 3 nights) in relation to the in-person event, which will take place over 4-6 days in Dublin in January 2026. Should travel not be possible on the dates selected for any reason, the workshop will take place online on the same dates.
Emmanuel Oberg is a screenwriter, author and creative consultant with more than twenty-five years of experience in the Film and TV industry. After selling a first screenplay to Warner Bros, he has been commissioned as a writer by StudioCanal, Working Title / Universal, Gold Circle and Film4. He has also designed internationally acclaimed advanced development workshops and modules on thriller, comedy, animation and TV Series, all based on the Story-Type Method. He delivers them with passion to storytellers around the world, in-person or online, through a series of interactive courses and hybrid events. Emmanuel lives in the UK with his wife and their two daughters.
The Rewrite Stuff is aimed at experienced Irish creative professionals working in script development in the feature film or High-End TV sector:
The ideal participant is experienced, has preferably completed our Advanced Script Development Workshop or online course, and is looking to develop a HETV series project with a strong international potential, for a worldwide audience.
Although experienced solo writers -- particularly those who are also directors or producers -- are warmly invited to apply to Stage 2, priority will likely be given to creative teams, especially over less experienced solo writers, so storytellers are strongly encouraged to apply to Stage 2 as a team in order to increase their chances of getting selected.
The Advanced Script Development online course isn’t included in the 2025-2026 programme, but an additional 10% discount (both for the monthly membership and the 1-year access) is offered on the Screenplay Unlimited website until the deadline for Stage 1 applications.
The TV Series Online Course will be made available for 90 days to all Stage 1 participants, and access will be extended for 180 days for all Stage 2 participants. That way, those who haven’t already done that training can get up to speed before Stage 2, while those who did it a while ago can revisit the content to prepare, should they want to.
Stage 1 participants are expected to be available for the duration of the workshop (two weeks of preparation in the first half of November and five days for the workshop itself on November 17-21, 2025).
Stage 2 participants are expected to be available for the duration of the main workshop (4 full days on January 12-15, 2026 + 1.5 hours on Day 5/6 in Dublin or online on January 19, 2026) and to participate in all events. They should be happy to read up to five projects from other participants (each project being 30 pages max.) between the 12th of December 2025 and the 11th of January 2026 and be happy for other participants to read their project before the main event in Dublin. Confidentiality & Non-disclosure agreements will be issued.
Selected participants who aren’t familiar with Emmanuel’s approach commit to completing the TV Series Online Course before the one-week live event, ideally during Stage 1 as part of the online workshop.
While Stage 1 participants are invited to work on a personal project as they go through the content of the online workshop, it isn’t necessary to have a project in active development to apply to Stage 1 as there will be no project work with the group or tutor during that initial stage.
Stage 2 applicants should have a HETV series project (live action or animation) with an existing pitch deck, bible or treatment. This working document should be at least 8 pages and at most 30 pages long. The project can be intended for streaming or broadcast TV distribution.
Once selected, Stage 2 participants can also submit a draft of their pilot / first episode screenplay (max. 90 pages) for feedback during individual meetings. If desired, this pilot / first episode draft can be made available for other participants to read, should they want to.
Having a pilot / first episode ready isn't mandatory when applying as it can be developed during the rewrite window, but it will be a plus for the application.
Submitting an outline of each episode for the first season and arcs for future seasons is also welcome but not mandatory, as these can be added during or after the workshop.
Any series type (procedural, serial, anthological, etc.) or genre is eligible for Stage 2. Only HETV series projects (including limited series / mini-series) are eligible for this 2026 edition. No feature-length single TV or film projects (we’re hoping to focus on these again in 2027). No non-fiction / documentaries either.
Applicants need to register with Screenplay Unlimited (it’s free) and to submit their application online before the 17th of October 2025 at 18:00 (Dublin time) for Stage 1 and the 28th of November 2025 at 18:00 (Dublin time) for Stage 2.
For more information (including a detailed schedule & testimonials for each workshop) about our 2025-2026 HETV Series Rewrite Programme and to apply, please click here.
To register for the free one-hour script development webclass and live information session with Q&A on the 09/10/25 at 14:00 (Dublin/London time), please click here.
If you have any questions, please submit your query through the contact form here.
