Screenwriting
Details about upcoming workshops below the form
About our upcoming workshops
21.01.2026 /// Screenwriting Without Writing with Dekel Nitzan
/// 21 January 2028 at 12:00 CET
Screenwriters do so much more than write. In this insightful one-hour session, writer and director Dekel Nitzan will guide participants through the many non-writing skills that are essential to a screenwriting career. Whether it's pitching a series to producers, leading a writers’ room, shaping stories through feedback, or conducting deep research for authentic storytelling—this workshop explores the full creative scope of the profession.
You’ll learn through guided discussion and short viewing examples, while reflecting on the various industry roles screenwriters often take on. It's easy to think screenwriting is all about sitting at a desk and typing dialogue—but this session will show you how dynamic, collaborative, and people-focused the craft really is. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how screenwriters contribute to film and TV beyond the page—and how you can grow those skills during your studies at Catalyst.
About Dekel:
Dekel Nitzan is a screenwriter and director based in Berlin. A Berlinale Talents alum, his short films have screened internationally and received awards. He began his professional TV writing career on KESHET 12’s hit series Line in the Sand (2021), and has since developed multiple film and TV projects across Europe.
A graduate of Serial Eyes (2023)—Europe’s premier training programme for TV writers—Dekel completed an exclusive apprenticeship with Big Light Productions, working closely with The Man in the High Castle creator Frank Spotnitz, and contributing to the writers’ room of the upcoming series The Nuremberg Trials (Constantin Film).
He is currently co-creating and head-writing two funded television series for HOT and Network Movie (Germany).
28.01.2026 /// Screenwriting with AI workshop: Creative Acceleration and Ethical Awareness with Rafael Leal
/// 28 January 2028 at 15:00 CET
In this hands-on workshop, filmmaker and screenwriter Rafael Leal explores how AI tools can assist with ideation, outlining, character development and world-building. You'll gain a grounded understanding of how to use AI as a collaborative creative partner—while grappling with the real ethical questions it raises about authorship, originality and the future of storytelling. Designed especially for emerging writers, this session is ideal for anyone curious (but cautious) about integrating AI into their practice.
About Rafael:
Rafael Leal is a Berlin-based filmmaker and the creator/head writer of Passinho – The Rhythm of Dreams (Disney+). His portfolio spans major projects for NBC/Universal, Star+, and European broadcasters. He’s also the mind behind The Privilege Game Show—a VR documentary-game funded by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg. With a PhD in Film & Media, Rafael has mentored over 350 screenwriters and taught at Catalyst, fs Köln, SRH, and PUC-Rio.