Cinema Residency

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Cinema Residency An international screenwriting residency for experienced writers. Intensive. Immersive. Mentored. Apulia, Italy · May 2026

31/05/2026

🎬 Two weeks later.

We waited a little before sharing this.
To let the emotions settle.
To understand what really happened during those days in Vignanotica.

Cinema Residency was never just a workshop.
It became a journey.
A personal experience.
A group of writers and mentors from different parts of the world learning from each other, challenging themselves and building connections that won’t end with May 15th.

James V. Hart.
Claire Dobbin.
Christopher Vogler.

Group lessons, 1-to-1 sessions, rewrites, conversations, doubts, breakthroughs.
Stories being dismantled and rebuilt.
And people changing a little in the process.

But also music, dinners, sea, laughter, Puglia and late night talks.
Because creativity doesn’t live only inside a classroom.

This is only a first taste of what happened.
We’ll share much more soon.
For now… enjoy this small piece of Cinema Residency 2026.
And maybe start asking yourself:
Are you ready for Cinema Residency 2027? 🌍✍️🎬

They are the heart of this workshop.Different countries, different voices, different stories — all sitting at the same t...
26/05/2026

They are the heart of this workshop.

Different countries, different voices, different stories — all sitting at the same table for five intense days of writing, rewrites, doubts, breakthroughs and ideas.

This post is for them.
The writers who trusted the process, challenged themselves and jumped into the unknown.

And honestly… aren’t they the best? 🌍✍️🔥

🎬 Three days after the end of the first edition…and we’re already announcing 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.Yes. Really. 😄...
19/05/2026

🎬 Three days after the end of the first edition…
and we’re already announcing 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Yes. Really. 😄

Maybe because these days changed something.
For the students.
For us.
For everyone who was there.

Now the project has its own identity, its own energy, its own people.

And one thing is clear:
Cinema Residency will grow, but without losing the spirit that made this first edition special.

Not everyone belongs on this boat.
You earn your place here.

See you in the next chapter. 🌊✍️

🎬 Okay, this is officially a “thank you / fanboy” post. We admit it. 😄But we felt way too good at .Every corner somehow...
18/05/2026

🎬 Okay, this is officially a “thank you / fanboy” post. We admit it. 😄

But we felt way too good at .

Every corner somehow became the perfect place for something:
lessons, 1-to-1 sessions, conversations, reflections, interviews, late-night discussions about stories and life.

And in the final group photos, there was also the HMO staff with us — because after five intense days, it honestly felt like everyone had gone through this experience together.

Five days that changed all of us a little.

HMO… should we do it again? 🌊✍️🎬

After five days in Vignanotica, surrounded by stories, rewrites, doubts and ideas, we came back home.And bringing all of...
17/05/2026

After five days in Vignanotica, surrounded by stories, rewrites, doubts and ideas, we came back home.

And bringing all of this into the historic Teatro Comunale Umberto Giordano, right in the heart of Foggia, felt honestly emotional.

Somewhere along the way, the OPEN LAB almost changed direction by itself.What started as a day about screenwriting slowly became something deeper: a journey about confidence, identity and believing again in your own voice.

Our mentors didn’t just talk about structure or industry.They gave strength back to many writers in the room.And above all, they reminded everyone of the value and dignity of being a screenwriter.

That may be the most important thing we take home from this first edition. 🌍✍️🎭

Bringing our mentors — and a small piece of Hollywood — to the Teatro Giordano in Foggia felt honestly surreal.Hearing s...
16/05/2026

Bringing our mentors — and a small piece of Hollywood — to the Teatro Giordano in Foggia felt honestly surreal.

Hearing stories about Spielberg, Robin Williams, Hook, Dracula, The Hero’s Journey and decades of cinema history inside a theatre in my city is something I still struggle to fully process.

James, Claire and Chris shared experiences, ideas, doubts and emotions with the audience in a way that felt incredibly human and honest.

And our Italian guests too:
a full day of reflections, anecdotes and real conversations about cinema and writing.

For now, just a few random photos from the day.
Better pictures and full moments are coming soon. 🌍🎥

Rana had been selected for the residency, and for months we exchanged emails, materials, updates, hopes.But unfortunatel...
16/05/2026

Rana had been selected for the residency, and for months we exchanged emails, materials, updates, hopes.

But unfortunately, in her country, things are like this right now:
no flights, embassies closed, uncertainty everywhere.

She couldn’t come.
Rana is an Iranian screenwriter.

So we organized a live call with mentors during the workshop.
It was a touching moment, human and professional at the same time, in the only way we could manage from a distance.

These months of messages, news that often sound like terror, and absurd things said by important presidents have reminded us of something simple:
you can suffer for someone even if you’ve never met them in person.

But Rana is determined.
And we’ll keep following her journey. 🌍✍️
sajadi .cinema

🎬 Fifth and final day of the workshop.Beach lunch today. We had been looking at the sea from afar for four days — alway...
15/05/2026

🎬 Fifth and final day of the workshop.

Beach lunch today.
We had been looking at the sea from afar for four days — always busy, always working.

Today, finally, a small regenerating break before Chris’ exercise… and tonight, the final party. 🌊✍️🎉

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Vignanotica

71030

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