Oxbelly aims to foster creativity and to strengthen creative economies through global collaborations. The organization holds international writers programs through the annual Oxbelly Retreat, while supporting the burgeoning Greek film industry.
The Oxbelly Retreat is founded on the principles of embracing independence and risk-taking, as fellows move from early to mid-career and develop work they seek to bring to an international audience.
The 2026 Retreat includes the Screenwriters program led by Radu Jude and the Fiction Writers program by Chigozie Obioma.
Screenwriters Programs
The Screenwriters program of the Oxbelly Retreat 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.
The first four days consist of one-on-one sessions and workshops with experienced writer-director advisors. The second half of the program expands to include special guests who range from established directors, actors, cinematographers, composers, editors to producers and industry professionals, as well as creatives from other fields such as theatre, visual arts, and literature. While the 8-day program focuses solely on the creative writing process, the established creatives and industry who participate in Oxbelly become resources to the fellows' projects and careers post-Retreat.
Application Deadline: January 14, 2026. The program has no cost to apply and all expenses for fellows are covered.
Fiction Writers Program
The Fiction Writers program of the Oxbelly Retreat brings together writers from around the world for a week of literary and creative exchange, held at Costa Navarino in historic Messinia, Greece.
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. Fellows attend interdisciplinary programming in the evenings – a curated series of sessions exploring the craft of writing, readings, screenings and panel discussions that cut across multiple mediums.
Application Deadline: January 14, 2026. The program has no cost to apply and all expenses for fellows are covered.