The Young Horizons Industry forum, set to run in Warsaw from 30 September-2 October, has long been a significant platform for showcasing European film talent. This year, the forum’s Market Presentation – Exclusive Sneak Peek of Upcoming European Productions is expanding to include an even higher number of nearly completed films.

This widened focus highlights the forum’s commitment to providing filmmakers with maximum visibility in front of distributors, sales agents, broadcasters, streamers and festivals. Each project will be presented through short screenings, offering insights into their creative development. Two of these films, Baltic Gold and I Accidentally Wrote a Book, were previously featured in the forum’s pitching sessions and are now returning in more advanced stages of production.

Developed as part of the Young Horizons Lab programme, Baltic Gold is a live-action film being produced by Shipsboy, and co-produced by Aeroplan Studios and Fixafilm (Poland). This continuation of the Detective Bruno series follows ten-year-old Oscar and Bruno, a famous actor, on a seaside vacation in Poland. As they embark on a new adventure, audiences are treated to a heartwarming story filled with humour, friendship and discovery.

The Boy at the Edge of the World takes viewers on a journey with two unlikely brothers as they set out to save their sister. Co-produced by Animoon (Poland), Mystic House (Canada), WKND (Spain), TVP, Letko and Fixafilm, this animated film combines elements of magic and adventure. Its international co-production team ensures a visually rich experience, blending storytelling traditions from various cultures.

LARP is a coming-of-age, live-action film co-produced by TFP and Canal+ Polska. Directed by Kordian Kądziela, known for his Netflix comedy series 1670, the film is a witty and insightful exploration of adolescence, independence and the pursuit of one’s dreams. Set against the backdrop of live-action role-playing games, LARP is a take on the classic coming-of-age genre, sure to resonate with young audiences and adults alike.

First introduced at the 2022 forum, I Accidentally Wrote a Book tells the story of Nina, a 12-year-old girl who discovers the transformative power of writing. This Hungarian-Dutch co-production, blending live-action and animation, is a celebration of creativity, healing and the art of storytelling. With its innovative visual elements and heartfelt narrative, I Accidentally Wrote a Book promises to be both an emotional and an imaginative experience.

Additionally, for creators seeking more exposure, the new Project Pool strand offers a unique space. Ten projects, mostly animated series, will have their own tables for one-on-one meetings with potential partners, bypassing the traditional pitching format. This allows projects to gain visibility without the pressure of presenting on stage, aligning with the creators' goals and providing more personalised networking opportunities. The elevator pitches for these projects will also be available on the forum’s platform.

Here is the list of the projects taking part in both sections:

Market Presentation - Exclusive Sneak Peek

Baltic Gold - Magdalena Nieć, Mariusz Palej (Poland)
Producers: Joanna Szymanska, Krystyna Kantor (Shipsboy)
Co-producers: Aeroplan Studios, Fixafilm

The Boy at the Edge of the World - Grzegorz Wacławek, Marta Szymańska (Poland/Canada/Spain)
Producer: Grzegorz Wacławek (Animoon)
Co-producers: Mystic House, WKND, TVP, Letko, Fixafilm

LARP - Kordian Kądziela (Poland)
Producers: Andrzej Papis, Maciej Sowiński, Maciej Szczygieł (TFP)
Co-producer: Canal+ Polska

I Accidentally Wrote a Book - Nóra Lakos (Hungary/Netherlands)
Producer: Claudia Sümeghy (JUNO11 Pictures)
Co-producer: BIND

Project Pool

Alert Little Eyes - Studio Filmów Rysunkowych (Poland) - animated series
Biscuit, the Enormous Bee - Gloaming Productions/Seymour & Otto (UK) - animated series
Cloudy & Stormy - Laniakea Pictures (Poland) - animated series
Do the Dead Eat Strawberry Cake? - Blue Duck Arts (Hungary) - live-action series
Fantasylum - Mizar Films, co-producer Kinhouse (Poland) - animated film
Gaja’s World – Follow Me - Felina Films (Slovenia) - live-action film
Hello, Oscar! - Atom Art (Latvia) - animated series
Kosmix: Secret Mission - Krutart (Czech Republic) - animated film
Toink! - Animal Tank (Belgium) - animated series
Zabavia - MOREFILM (Poland) - animated series