Young Horizons Industry programme and keynote speakers

8th Young Horizons Industry, an international co-production forum for films and series for young audiences will take place between 30 September and 2 October 2024 at the Kinoteka Cinema in Warsaw.

The programme of the forum includes keynotes, pitching of 21 projects at different stages of development, one-to-one meetings, script consultations, side programmes for producers, film school students and graduates, as well as Young Horizons Festival screenings.

Pushing the Boundaries – How Technological Innovations Are Reshaping the Creative Process, Work, and Business Models is the topic of this year’s conference programme.

Technology has always determined the things we watch. That’s why I’m thrilled to present this year’s conference programme to you. We are going to look beyond technological trends and explore how the latest innovations have reshaped the creative dynamics, work, and business models. Join us for an open interactive dialogue with our experts and learn how to ethically and effectively integrate AI into your projects – Viola Gabrielli, Head of Programme.

Young Horizons Industry will kick off on 30 September with a talk THE LAST WHALE SINGER – Creating a Platform Harmonic IP & Business Model, followed by a talk and panel titled Human-Centric AI in Films and Series. In this two-part session, we will explore the creative process with AI-driven tools, legal aspects, and ethical integration. The speakers include: Maite Woköck and Johannes Hezer from Telescope Animation, Germany; Jiří Mika from PFX, Czechia; Maciej Żemojcin, an AI and virtual production film specialist, Poland; Volha Paulovich from PentoPix, UK; and Christiane Stützle from Morrison & Foerster, Germany. Both sessions will be moderated by AC Coopens from THE CATALYSTS.  

For those who are interested in book adaptations there will be a round table discussion moderated by Cristina Angelucci, media and licensing expert and publisher (BM SRL, publisher of Licensing Magazine and The European Animation Journal), titled Securing IP’s – Opportunities and Challenges of Book Adaptations. During the discussion we will be talking about the rights chain from books to ancillary rights management as well as brand and IP expansion.

Apart of the keynote sessions, the conference programme will be accompanied by the Think Tank for executives from European broadcasting companies to discuss the situation of Children’s Productions in TV programming and financing; script, marketing and IP building as well as green filming consultations; exclusive presentations of European upcoming productions; networking games and one-to-one meetings, to name a few activities which are waiting for you in Warsaw.

The list of the 21 in-development and works in progress projects for kids and young audiences which are selected for the pitching includes live-action, animation, and documentary titles.

This year’s selection, as every year, was a challenge because every year we receive many valuable and interesting submissions.  We are committed to combining high artistic and educational value with commercial potential in the selection. With the help of our international selection committee, we were able to compile a diverse list of projects in terms of technique, genre, format and target audience. There will be no shortage of titles based on books for young readers. – Zofia Horszczaruk, Head of Young Horizons Industry

Most projects come from Poland (5) and CEE countries (4 projects from Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine), followed by Norway (3), Belgium (2), Germany (2). Austria, Brazil, Finland, France, Ireland present one project each.

More than 300 guests will come to Warsaw including professionals representing companies such as: SC Films International, BBC, LevelK, BNNVARA, MEDIATOON Distribution, NEO FILMS, Just4kids, Look at that Media Licensing, Lithuanian Radio and Television, Czech Television, RTV Slovenija, SKOOP Media, Beta Kids & Family, NDR Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Global Screen, MFA+, nordmedia, Bad Unicorn, The Playmaker Munich, DANDELOO, Forum Film Poland, Epsilon Film, SilkWayFilms.

Early bird accreditations are open until 12 August. The event is being held onsite in Warsaw but people who don’t want to or cannot travel to Poland, can join the forum online. 

For any questions about the event, contact: magda.wylezalek@nowehoryzonty.pl.  

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Young Horizons Industry is co-financed by Polish Film Institute, Creative Europe MEDIA sub-programme, City of Warsaw, and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage within a frame of the Polish Creative Industries Development Center programme “Rozwój Sektorów Kreatywnych”, and organised in partnerships with Mazovia Warsaw Film Commission, ORKA, FIXAFILM, Wrocław Feature Film Studio, Animond, No Problemo Music, Łódź Film Commission, Silesian Film Fund, Podkarpackie Regional Film Fund, Krakow Film Fund and Malopolska Film Fund of the Small Forms, Polish Producers Alliance (KIPA), Polish Animation Producers Association (SPPA), Crew United, m:brane, CEEA Forum, Animarkt Stop Motion Forum, Animation Production Days, Coprocity, Children’s Media Foundation.

Media patrons: Cineuropa, Film New Europe, C21Media, Licencing Magazine, Skwigly.