The 8th edition of Young Horizons Industry, the international co-production forum for films and series targeting young audiences, will occur both in Warsaw and online from 30 September to 2 October. Its call for projects is now open, inviting submissions of full-length films and series at diverse stages of development and production. Notably, creators are encouraged for the first time to submit completed films for consideration at the concurrent Young Horizons International Film Festival, running from 28 September to 6 October. The forum's aim is clear: facilitating connections between creators and potential partners, fostering collaboration, and serving as a platform for idea exchange and partnership formation.

Zosia Horszczaruk, Head of Young Horizons Industry, explains: "Every year, the submission period is a time for us to anticipate and search for the most interesting film and TV series offerings for young audiences. Young people face new challenges posed by the fast-paced world, and as an industry, we confront rapid changes in the media and audiovisual sector. We aim to merge these perspectives and invite to the forum those projects that will captivate young viewers on both the big and small screen in the near future."

Twenty projects spanning live-action, animated, documentary, and transmedia formats will be showcased to over 300 international guests across sections named In Development, Work in Progress, and Market Presentation. Each presentation will feature a Q&A session with experts, alongside individual meetings with producers, sales agents, distributors, or broadcasters. "We are seeking projects that are original, fresh, and adept at addressing challenging topics in an easy-to-understand way, while maintaining a high artistic standard. In an era saturated with sequels, prequels, and spin-offs relying on familiar narratives, we seek concepts that will captivate us with their ingenuity and creativity,” adds Horszczaruk.

The committee responsible for selecting projects comprises screenwriter Fiona van Heemstra; Moritz Hemminger, head of sales and acquisitions at The Playmaker; Anna Waśniewska-Gill, producer and partner at WONDER X; Marina Narishkin, expert in the business of entertainment, serial entrepreneur, and IP brand builder; Dunja Karlovsek, editor of children’s shows and media psychologist at RTV Slovenija; and Tim Biedert, production and development Executive.

Marina Narishkin, who is overlooking the series projects, commented: "After years in the industry with DreamWorks, Lucasfilm, Nickelodeon, Universal, Fox, and TF1, leading Millimages animation studio opened my eyes to the challenges of bringing family and kids' content from conception to financing, sales, and broadcast. I am excited to join the Young Horizons Industry, which offers a prime platform to connect with partners, distributors, and broadcasters beyond CEE, amplifying visibility. I am anticipating fresh talent delivering projects resonating with new generations on vital topics and emotions.”

Moritz Hemminger, who will focus on the film projects, added: “For filmmakers, producers, distributors, broadcasters and sales agents active in the family entertainment and kids genre space, Young Horizons Industry is an event you shouldn’t miss. Our Playmaker team always pays special attention to all projects being showcased at Young Horizons Industry.”

You can explore the details and find the application form for the call, which has a deadline of 19 April, here. An online meetup with Young Horizons Industry, where producers will be able to ask any questions they have about the submission process, is scheduled for 19 March at 11:00 am. To receive an invitation, send an email to: magda.wylezalek@nowehoryzonty.pl. To submit completed short or full-length films targeting ages 4 to 16 for the Young Horizons Festival, with a deadline of 15 May, visit the website. Young Horizons Industry receives support from the Polish Film Institute and Creative Europe MEDIA.