Matthew told FNE he’s looking for series pilots, and the winning script will go into development for local production. The call went out for scripts from Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

Matthew told an overflow audience that HBO is seeking contemporary scripts, with the goal of having five or six projects being written, one and a half series produced per year. HBO already has four projects in the early stages of development.

HBO’s Central European model began with adaptations of other successful Western formats and series, but Matthews is looking to change that. “We want to go straight to original series here and skip the adaptation part,” he said. He added that since TV writing isn’t as developed in the region, HBO is more often developing and encouraging younger talent.

Scripts are to be written and submitted in the original language of the country.