The call is now open to take part in the AVENUE Prime Time Lab, an international creative laboratory aimed at animation and writing professionals from across Europe. The initiative seeks to develop original animated series designed for prime time audiences, with the ambition of building stories capable of crossing the continent's cultural boundaries.
The Prime Time Lab brings together multidisciplinary teams to develop original animated series concepts for prime time audiences. Participants will collaborate in a writers' room-style environment to create bold, character-driven stories in the form of a self-contained European animated series or sitcom. Each team will be tasked with taking an original concept from initial idea to final pitch, developing storylines, treatments, scripts, a series bible, and a presentation animatic. The programme is structured into two intensive modules, scheduled for August and September 2026.
MODULE 1: Writers' Room. Two teams are formed, each consisting of three writers. Working from a given theme, the Head Writer proposes, develops, and brings the selected project into the room. The remaining two writers serve as Staff Writers. The teams meet in person for two intensive weeks of work at the Prime Time Lab.
MODULE 2: Teaser Board, Animatic, Style and Presentation. The two teams advance to the next stage. The Head Writer, Animation Director, and two Storyboard Artists create a 1-minute-30-second animatic for the teaser.
At the end of the lab, both teams will present their projects in a pitch session open to invited producers, studios, and industry professionals. Projects demonstrating strong potential will be put forward for selected international industry events.
At the heart of the creative process is the Head Writer, who proposes an original project and guides it through every phase of the laboratory. Head Writers are invited to apply with an original project idea. Projects must be strongly authored, rooted in contemporary Europe, and grounded in a sustainability theme — understood in the broadest sense, from the climate crisis to social cohesion, from technological equality to the future of human community. Selected Head Writers will develop their project in close collaboration with a Showrunner and Chief Editor, leading and inspiring a multidisciplinary team of emerging creative talents to bring the concept to life.
Applications are open to a range of professional profiles: head writers and staff writers, animation directors, 2D character designers and animators, storyboard artists, and voice actors. Experienced professionals, young professionals, and students are all welcome to apply. Travel, accommodation, breakfast, and lunch expenses are fully covered by AVENUE.
The Prime Time Lab is part of the AVENUE CoVE – ERASMUS+ project. For more information and application details: avenuecove.eu and animationworkshop.via.dk
