How a pitch in Greece took Yannis Nakos’s short film Lacy to an international script development lab in Warsaw
This guest-written article by Film Production student Yannis Nakos reflects on the journey of his short film Lacy, from its early development in Greece to its presentation at Young Horizons Industry in Warsaw. Yannis shares how international opportunities, creative exchange, and meaningful industry connections have shaped his growth as an emerging filmmaker and opened new possibilities for his project.
From a first pitch in Pyrgos to an international film-industry programme in Warsaw, the journey of my short film, Lacy, has become a story of creative growth, unexpected connections, and new possibilities.
My journey to the Young Horizons film festival in Warsaw began in Greece, in November 2025, when I was selected to pitch Lacy, my developing short film, through The Olympia Effect, a programme organised by the Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People. What began as an opportunity to develop my script would open doors to new perspectives, meaningful professional relationships, and a wider understanding of what it takes to bring a film to life.
The programme was one of the most incredible opportunities I could have hoped for at the beginning of my career. Alongside the final pitching session, the programme included weekend script-development labs in Athens, where my fellow participants and I worked closely with our incredible advisors to dig deeper into our stories, challenge our initial ideas, and get to the heart of what we really wanted to tell. Those sessions became a turning point in the development of Lacy. Rather than simply refining the script, I began to understand how much a story could change when given the space, time, and perspective to grow.
That experience opened the door to my next opportunity – Young Horizons in Warsaw, Poland. Following my participation in Olympia, I was recommended for Young Talents, part of Young Horizons Industry, and selected as one of eight emerging filmmakers. The experience became an opportunity to take my project into an international professional environment and explore what its next steps might look like.
A special shoutout goes to industry expert Dominga Ortuzar, who runs workshops on Film Production BA and Creative Production (Film) MA. She talked to us during the first year about going to script labs and development labs and that’s why I started researching and applying to labs.
Warsaw became much more than an opportunity to present myself as an emerging filmmaker. It was a chance to immerse myself in an international creative environment, exchange ideas with film professionals and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to bring a project from an idea to the screen.
Over four intensive days in Warsaw, conversations, meetings, and new encounters offered a glimpse into the many paths a film can take from an idea to the screen. The Young Talents programme brought together a new generation of filmmakers for an intensive exchange of ideas, experience, and perspectives. The schedule was packed with activities, one-to-one meetings with industry professionals, and opportunities to present our projects and explore their potential. From script consultations and project development to discussions about intellectual property and audience strategy, each meeting offered a new perspective on what it takes to bring a film from the page to the screen.
Meeting professionals working across different areas of the industry helped me understand both the possibilities for Lacy and the practical challenges that lie ahead.
Yet some of the most valuable moments happened outside the formal meetings. I met emerging filmmakers and recent graduates from across Europe, including Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, alongside participants in Producers LINK, the joint programme organised by Young Horizons Industry and Cinekid for Professionals. We shared projects, exchanged ideas and contacts, and began conversations about potential collaborations.
One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was reconnecting with one of my advisers from Olympia. Having someone familiar beside me in a new international setting was both comforting and valuable. Her advice helped me navigate the programme, make the most of the opportunities around me, and approach the experience with greater confidence. It reminded me that the relationships formed during creative development can extend far beyond the original workshop, growing into lasting sources of support and inspiration.
There was something particularly inspiring about meeting people at different stages of their journeys, all working towards a similar goal: to bring original stories to life. For a moment, the film industry felt less like a distant, difficult-to-enter world and more like a community of people learning, experimenting, and building something together.
Over the past year, my short film has transformed significantly. The script, the ideas behind it, and the way I approach the project have all evolved through the conversations, feedback, and support I have received. Looking back, I can see how each opportunity has contributed something essential to its development.
Being selected for these programmes is meaningful to me not only because of the knowledge and connections they offer, but also because it represents a form of recognition. Having festivals and industry professionals take an interest in the work of an emerging filmmaker gives me confidence that the project has potential and encourages me to keep pushing it forward.
From that first pitch in Pyrgos to presenting myself and my work in Warsaw, every step has helped me grow, both as a filmmaker and in the way I imagine the future of my project. The journey is far from over, but I am grateful for the people who have helped shape it so farand excited to see where the story leads next.
