Artist
Residency

An international screenplay development lab exploring narrative forms through the lens of Mediterranean culture, light, and landscape.

DATES 5 Dec 2026 — 31 Jan 2027

Application Deadline 30 September 2026

Location Dalyan, Muğla, Türkiye

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About the Residency

Eight weeks.
One river.
Your story.

The Dalyan Artist Residency is a residential creative retreat set against the ancient landscape of the Carian coast. Emerging and mid-career filmmakers from the Mediterranean and beyond come to develop their feature film projects in intensive one-on-one sessions with international residency mentors.

The residency operates on the premise that good stories need space to breathe — both conceptually and physically. By situating development work in Dalyan, participants gain access not only to expert feedback but to a particular quality of attention that this place makes possible.

Projects selected for the residency are at treatment or first-draft stage. The programme is designed for filmmakers who are directing their own films and seek rigorous, honest development work.

Ancient Kaunos

Mediterranean Light

Accommodation

Where You Will Stay

Residents stay in private rooms in a traditional Dalyan guesthouse, two minutes from the river. Each room has a dedicated writing desk and natural light. Shared kitchen, common room, garden, and terrace overlooking the reeds.

Private Room

Dedicated Workspace

Shared Kitchen

Garden & Terrace

River Access

Walking Distance to Town

Experience Dalyan

The Environment

Dalyan sits between two worlds — ancient and alive. The river cuts through dense reeds and limestone cliffs carved with Lycian rock tombs. Across the water, the ruins of Kaunos rise among pine and oleander. Caretta caretta turtles nest on the beach beyond the delta.

This is a place where time moves slowly and attention deepens. The Mediterranean light, the sounds of water and wind through reeds, the proximity of history — all conspire to create an environment where stories can be honestly examined. It is why we chose Dalyan for a film development lab.

The Iztuzu Beach

Ancient Kaunos

The Dalyan River

Mediterranean Light

Programme

How the Residency Works

Selection

4 selected projects are chosen through an open call. Projects should be at treatment or early draft stage. Directors who write/direct their own films are given priority.

Residency

Selected participants spend 56 days in Dalyan. Shared living, communal meals, and evening screenings create a rare environment of sustained focus.

Development Work

Each project is assigned a primary residency mentor for intensive one-on-one sessions. Group workshops explore narrative structure, character, and Mediterranean storytelling.

Pitch & Presentation

The residency concludes with a private pitch session attended by selected producers, development executives, and festival programmers.

Practical Info

Frequently
Asked

Is there a participation fee? +

There is no tuition fee for the Artist Residency. Selected participants are responsible for their own travel to Dalyan. Accommodation, meals, and programme costs are covered by the residency.

Can I apply with a project in development? +

Yes. Projects at treatment or first-draft stage are preferred. The film project does not need to be complete — the residency is specifically designed for active development work.

Do I need to attend in person? +

Yes. The Artist Residency is a fully residential programme. In-person attendance for the entire 56-day duration is required. The residential nature of the residency is central to its design and effectiveness.

What language is the lab conducted in? +

The residency operates in English. Applications may be submitted in English or Turkish. Simultaneous support in Turkish is available for participants who need it.

When will I hear back? +

All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks of the application deadline. Selection results will be announced by mid-November 2026.

Newsletter

Alumni

Previous Residents

Selma Bozkurt Turkey

2025-26

Writer-director based in Istanbul. First feature in development.

Marco Febbri Italy / Greece