2026 Program
October 16–20, 2026
The 2026 Gathering was held October 16–20 on the island of Spetses, Greece: four days of conversations, workshops and events built around the work and experiences of production designers.
The program brought together designers from across the industry to gather and share knowledge.
Explore the full 2026 program below.
October 16
Marina Zea Port
13:00 - 14:00
Check-in and Boarding
Participants check-in and board the event boat.
Marina Zea Port
14:30 - 18:30
Sail
Participants sail to Spetses Island.
Accommodations
18:30 - 20:00
Hotel Check-in
Participants arrive on the island and check into their respective accommodations.
Grand Hotel Poseidonion
20:00 - 23:00
Welcome Reception
October 17
Cine Titania
9:30 - 10:00
Program Introduction
Introduction and general orientation by the PDC team.
Cine Titania
10:00 - 11:30
Francesca
Di Mottola
Sense and Sensibility
Alexandra
Schaller
Train Dreams
Juliana
Barreto Barreto
Union Country
Inbal
Weinberg
The Room
Next Door
Moderator
Matters of Taste: Communicating Aesthetics
As production designers we make countless daily decisions involving taste. We discuss and analyze design elements - paint colors, furniture, typography, props, moldings - in order to achieve what we consider optimal design results.
However, if we believe that artistic taste is personal, and cannot be subjected to binary terms of good / bad, or right / wrong, what standards guide us in our decision-making process? And how do we communicate those decisions to our department and collaborators while still respecting the dictum “to each their own taste”?
Our panelists will discuss their process of making aesthetic judgements, and the methods they use to share their taste with others.
Cine Titania
11:45 - 13:15
Akin
McKenzie
The Woman
King
Julian
Wagner
September 5
Kave
Quinn
Trainspotting
Alexander
Whittenberg
Popular Theory
Moderator
The World is our Moodboard: Curating Visual Reference
Sponsored by
Contemporary culture accosts us daily with a multitude of visuals. From a constant social media feed to a 24-hour news cycle, we are surrounded by screens and images.
In a world of pop culture memes and constant referencing, how do we navigate our way to develop a unique visual style?
Our panelists will discuss their methods of visual research, and will share advice on curating images, constructing moodboards, and learning from iconic works of the past to achieve a fresh perspective.
Grand Hotel Poseidonion
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
Cine Titania
14:45 - 16:15
Tamara
Deverell
Frankenstein
Eve
Stewart
Les Miserables
Grant
Major
The Lord of
the Rings
Kalina
Ivanov
Lovecraft
Country
Moderator
From The Source: Literary Classics
on Screen
Sponsored by
Great novels are distinguished for their depth of storytelling, describing in detail not just environments and context, but the innermost thoughts of their characters.
Is it possible to successfully condense a complex and layered novel into a screenplay? How can production designers do justice to vast literary visions while reconstructing them for the screen?
Our panelists will discuss the challenges and joys of adapting classic books for film and television.
Kapodistriaki Stegi
17:00 - 18:30
Dafni
Kalogianni
Buzzheart
Diana
Trujillo
Narcos
Neil
Patel
Dickinson
Andrew
McAlpine
The Piano
Moderator
Multilingual Production Design
Sponsored by
The entertainment industry is becoming increasingly more global, expanding opportunities for production designers to travel for work. As more designers work abroad, others become hosts, tasked with the responsibility of welcoming and guiding foreign crews.
Our panelists will explore the meeting of cultures on international productions. They will discuss the delicate role of being a guest designer in a foreign country, navigating unfamiliar work structures and customs. They will also shed light on the position of the local host crew, often hidden behind the label "service industry".
Spetses Hotel
17:00 - 18:30
Anne
Seibel
Head of Production Design, La Fémis, France
Dawn
Snyder
Education Consultant, Art Directors Guild, United States
Sebastian
Soukup
Production Design Professor, Internationale Filmschule Köln, Germany
Moira
Tait
Senior Tutor, Production Design Department at the National Film and Television School, United Kingdom
Jane
Barnwell
Reader in Moving Image at the University of Westminster, United Kingdom
Moderator
Sharing the Knowledge, Shaping the Future
In Collaboration with
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Sponsored by
Production design has a long tradition of knowledge and skills being passed between generations and across related fields. As ways of working evolve and formal education plays an increasing role, how do we carry forward the legacy of the past while making space for approaches of the future?
Our panelists will explore how production design is taught, learned and shared - on the job and in the classroom, through observation and by example - and how we can incorporate strategies in our practice to shape the legacy of the future.
Orloff Restaurant
19:00 - 22:00
Dinner
October 18
Meeting Point: Bouboulina Statue
9:00 - 9:45
Ann-kathrin
Eberhard
Instructor
Sketch Session
Participants are invited to bring their sketchbook, tablets, stylus and pencils, and join a drawing session en plein air.
Cine Titania
10:00 - 11:30
Karen
Murphy
The Bride!
Francois
Audouy
A Complete Unknown
James
Price
Poor Things
Mark
Worthington
American Horror Story
Moderator
Production Design:
The Unified Whole
Creating a cohesive visual world on screen requires an intricate patchwork of techniques, methods and tools. The immense challenge of weaving these together starts with early decision-making, and continues through all stages of production. Faced with a dynamic and fluid work environment, what steps can we take to ensure visual consistency across our design process? How can we create a whole that surpasses the sum of its parts?
Our panelists will discuss their complex mission to unite disparate elements - locations, built sets, backlots, visual effects - in order to achieve a believable story universe.
Sponsored by
Cine Titania
11:45 - 13:15
Ramsey
Avery
Whalefall
Beth
Mickle
Superman
Jørgen Stangebye
Larsen
Sentimental
Value
Jan
Roelfs
Ghost in The Shell
Emer
O'Sullivan
Half Man
Moderator
Beyond The Green Screen: Production Design and VFX into the Future
The field of visual effects is constantly evolving, offering new opportunities for production design engagement. How can designers ensure their vision is clearly communicated to, and coordinated with, the VFX department? And what new forms of VFX can be integrated into a future art department to accommodate emerging technologies?
Our panelists will share their experience on recent projects featuring visual effects integration and collaboration.
Grand Hotel Poseidonion
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
AKSS
15:00 - 16:30
Diego
Garcia
Asociación de Trabajadores del Arte para el Audiovisual en Colombia
Rose
Lagacé
Canadian Production Design Association | L’Association de la Conception Artistique Canadienne
Daniela
Medeiros
Brada Coletivo: Diretoras de Arte do Brasil
Stella
Šonková
Czech Production Design
Davies
May
British Film Designers Guild
Advocacy Wins: Success Stories from Production Design Associations Worldwide
What happens when production designers join forces? In this celebratory showcase, we look at the power of the collective voice on the global stage.
Advocates from around the world will share successful case studies in creating sustainability initiatives, setting up apprenticeship programs, curating exhibitions, and inaugurating production design awards.
In Collaboration with International Advocates of The Production Designers Collective
Moderator
AKSS
15:00 - 16:30
Uli
Hanisch
Babylon
Berlin
Connie
Martinez
Autos, mota y rocanrol
Richard
Wright
The Righteous Gemstones
Christian
Galindo
Autos, mota y rocanrol
Caroline
Greville-Morris
Just Desserts
Moderator
Conducting the Art Department Orchestra
Like a conductor, the production designer's role is to be a unifying force for the art department. However, while leading a team is one of the most important aspects of our craft, we often find ourselves without the training needed to be effective leaders.
As our projects and departments grow, good communication and leadership skills become crucial. In our hectic and unconventional workplace, how can we lead with confidence, while cultivating empathy and empowering our department members?
Our panelists will share candid stories about the joys and challenges of team-building, inviting participants to offer insight and advice.
AKSS
17:00 - 19:00
Mentorship Cafe
Emerging designers and students are invited to join key speakers for coffee and conversation.
Sponsored by
AKSS
17:00 - 19:00
Sponsors' Corner
Participants are invited to meet with sponsor representatives to discuss products and services.
Bostani Farm
17:00 - 18:30
Designers' Walk and Talk
Take a walk through the hills of Spetses, enjoy the views and visit the Bostani farm for a sunset drink.
Our team will offer key topics from the Gathering through the walk, offering space for contemplation.
AKSS
17:00 - 18:30
Juliet
John
Teaching Scholar, Deakin University
Melbourne
Moderator
Sarah
Mursal
Lecturer,
Ravensbourne University London
Moderator
Ideas in the Making:
Shaping New Research Projects in Production Design
In Collaboration with
How can production designers turn their practice, knowledge and ideas into outputs that can be shared more widely?
This interactive workshop brings practitioners and educators together to explore future possibilities such as articles, books, podcasts, films, theses and more. Participants will work in groups to develop their own research ideas, identify practical next steps, and help to make production design more visible in public and academic discourse.
AKSS
17:00 - 18:30
Blair
Barnette
Board Member, British Film Designers Guild
Moderator
Dina
Lipton
President,
Art Directors Guild, United States
Moderator
Marieke
van den Bosch
Secretary, ACM Filmprofessionals
Netherlands
Moderator
Organizing Insights: Challenges and Solutions in Community Building
In Collaboration with International Advocates of the Production Designers Collective
Sponsored by
A thriving design association doesn't build itself; it requires ongoing structural support. Scaffolding the Collective is a candid, peer-to-peer workshop for those doing the heavy lifting of community organizing.
Through an informal discussion, guild leaders and organizers will troubleshoot the practical realities of running an association—from maintaining member momentum to overcoming organizational roadblocks—ensuring our networks remain strong and sustainable.
Kaiki Restaurant
19:30 - 22:00
Dinner
Sponsored by
October 19
Meeting Point: Bouboulina Statue
9:00 - 9:45
Ann-Kathrin
Eberhard
Sketch Session
Participants are invited to bring their sketchbook, tablets, stylus and pencils, and join a drawing session en plein air.
Instructor
Cine Titania
10:00 - 11:30
Julie
Berghoff
The Studio
Francesca
Massariol
Pillion
Christopher
Glass
I Love Boosters
Sherree
Philips
Babyteeth
Inbal
Weinberg
Roofman
Moderator
The Unscripted Details
Sponsored by
Production design concerns itself with epic scales and minute elements in equal measures. As designers, we understand the essential role of each woven piece in the tapestry of a visual universe.
When faced with the monumental task of creating whole worlds on screen, how can we also pay close attention to the details populating that world? What elements can we add to a set to make it come alive?
Our panelists will discuss their methods of designing for both the macro and micro, sharing stories of set dressing pieces, props, and construction details that made all the difference.
Cine Titania
11:45 - 13:15
Sophie
Becher
Halo
Patrick
O'Keefe
Spiderman: Across The Spider-Verse
Jean Vincent
Puzos
The Lost City
of Z
Jamie
Lapsley
Bodyguard
Moderator
The World, Reimagined
In recent years the world has experienced drastic disruptions caused by a global pandemic, international wars, and unprecedented technological breakthroughs. Reflecting the current dark mood, our screens are flooded with dystopian tales and landscapes.
Do production designers have the ability to re-imagine the world? What types of alternative worlds can we build, on screen and off?
Our panelists will showcase recent experiments in world-building, and share the insight they’ve gained in the process.
Sponsored by
Grand Hotel Poseidonion
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
Cine Titania
14:45 - 16:15
Creativity as a Human Right: Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Production Design
Production designers are increasingly faced with the rising impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on their creative practice.
While GenAI systems are often used to support a designer’s creative journey, concerns are mounting about the loss of artistic autonomy in AI-mediated artwork. Additionally, members of the art department are alarmed by possible long-term consequences such as labor displacement and threats to creative livelihoods.
In this Gathering-wide session, participants will be invited to share their recent experiences with GenAI in the workplace. Divided into small listening circles, participants will be encouraged to discuss their process of creating AI-mediated artwork, as well as voice their concerns, confusion, and ethical ambivalence.
Conversations will be held in a nonjudgmental atmosphere, with the goal of fostering autonomy, and finding paths towards a fulfilling co-creative process.
AKSS Amphitheater
17:30 - 19:00
Caroline
Amies
In the Name of the Father
Jeannine
Oppewall
Pleasantville
Rick
Carter
Forrest
Gump
Wynn
Thomas
Malcolm
X
Kalina
Ivanov
The Penguin
Moderator
Lightning In A Bottle: How to Stay Motivated During Challenging Times
In collaboration with key speakers and Gathering participants
The entertainment industry is known for its unpredictable ups and downs, aggravated in recent years by market uncertainty and shifting viewership patterns.
In an atmosphere of job insecurity, shrinking budgets and long periods of unemployment, how do we stay motivated and creative? What is the secret to a long career in this ever-changing, always challenging art form?
In our closing session of the 2026 Gathering, panelists and audience members will discuss their lifelong pursuit of creativity, share insight from their own career highs and lows, and offer advice on career longevity and well-being. We invite all participants to share their thoughts and inspiration accumulated during this year's event.
AKSS
19:00 - 24:00
Dinner and Farewell Party
October 20
Various departures between
5:00 - 12:00
Departure to Airport
Travel by ferry boat from Spetses to Kosta, and by bus from Kosta to Athens International Airport.