24 projects, including 13 films and 11 series from 16 countries, will be presented during the 9th edition of Young Horizons Industry, the international co-production forum focused on films and series aimed at kids and youth (29 September – 1 October 2025, Warsaw, Poland).
Shortlisted from a record number of 111 submissions from 56 countries, 20 projects have been selected for the In-Development, and 4 for the Work-in-Progress pitching sections. 13 selected films include 7 live-action and 6 animated projects. 11 selected series include 5 animated projects, 5 live-action projects, and 1 live-action with animated elements project.
The final selection represents 16 countries (including co-production countries). This year, the projects come from CEE countries: Poland (5), Estonia (3), Czech Republic (2), Croatia (1), Hungary (1), Latvia (1); followed by Germany (4), Denmark (2), France (2), United Kingdom (2), with Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, Ireland, Spain, and Sweden presenting 1 project each.
Like in the previous edition, the majority of projects are aimed at children between 7 and 12 yo (46%), followed by young adults (37%), preschoolers (21%), and teens (12%) (some projects are aimed at two groups, e.g. teens and young adults).
The wide genre range of the selected projects includes comedy, fantasy, crime, drama, and adventure.
The themes are also versatile: from dialogue-free animated series through projects based on popular IPs, and stories that help us fight the fear of nightmares or teach us how to live in peace with technology to deep-seated stories about searching for inner balance and acceptance.
The topic of mental health challenges among kids and teens has a strong representation in the selection, with stories focused on hypersensitivity, social anxiety, mental balance, and sense of loneliness, combined with the themes of first love and puberty, inclusivity and tolerance. The selection wouldn’t be complete without stories about the power of friendship and feel-good adventure movies.
Selected Projects In Development
Live-Action Series
- 25%, Cinebonbon, Czech Republic
- Ann Was Here, Allfilm OÜ, Estonia
- Headrush, Randan, United Kingdom
- Higher Pitch, Fíbín Media, Ireland
- A Hundred Days at Home, Jamedia Production, Finland
Animated Series
- Cloudy & Stormy, Laniakea Pictures, Poland
- Drone City, MONDE ET MEDIA TV, France
- In Between, Sparre Production, Denmark
- Megi Zigi Dance, Animoon, Poland
- Valentino the Dream Sheep, Sideways Studios, Germany, Sweden
Live-Action Films
- Princess Eats Lion, Mirikal Filmproduktion, Germany
- Rise of the Water Fox, Stellar Film, Estonia
- School of Thieves, Bulletproof Cupid, Belgium
- Summer in the Gardens, Running Rabbit Films, Poland
- Superception, Delta Film, Poland
Animated Films
- Socks, Page to Pictures, Poland
- Steel Hearts, EyeCandyFilm, Denmark, Croatia (awarded direct access at m:brane)
- Onno & Ontje – Friends Are the Best Gift, Blaue Pampelmuse, Germany
- The Babirusa, Tchack, France
- Children of the Wind Mother, Filmfabriq/Ulab, Hungary
Selected Work in Progress
- Aliens FC, animated film, Magic Frame Animation, Cyprus, United Kingdom
- Dirt In Your Face, live-action film, Taska Film, Estonia, Germany, Latvia
- Ela’s Top-Secret Diary 2, live-action series with animated elements, Czech Television, Czech Republic
- Like! (A.K.A. A Smartphone Story), animated film, Capitán Araña, Spain
The official selection was recommended by the selection committee: Selma Munksgaard Hansen, Angel Films, Denmark; Julietta Sichel, 8Heads Productions, Czech Republic; Maja Fišter, HRT, Croatia; Jakub Karwowski, Letko, Poland; and Gennarino Romano, Dandelooo, France.
Project Pool – the call is open
The call for projects for the Project Pool, non-pitching section, is open from 2 July to 31 July.
Project Pool gives more visibility and opportunities to producers and screenwriters to help them find potential producers or partners and gain feedback without pitching the project on stage. Projects from this section will have a chance to win the PFX award. Both producers and screenwriters can submit a project to the Project Pool.
Details about the projects, Spotlight on Croatia, or Project Pool are available on: industry.younghorizons.pl.
Contact: magda.wylezalek@nowehoryzonty.pl
