From March 31 to April 3, 2025, BolognaFiere hosts the 18th edition of the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/K), dedicated to the licensing sector for children, teenagers, and young adults.
Integrated within the 62nd Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF), the global leading children’s content event, BLTF/K is the key event for licensing professionals, offering an exclusive platform for networking, innovation, and business opportunities crossing publishing, audiovisual and gaming industries.
The main novelty of this edition is the launch of the first matchmaking platform for exhibitors and professional visitors, together with a wider Licensing Business Lounge and a new section devoted to the match between Licensing and Illustration, that is the Arts Licensing area.
Licensing Portfolio Reviews return and double!
Following the success of the inaugural 2024 edition, the Licensing Portfolio Reviews once again connect young illustration and design talents with licensing professionals. In 2025, there are over 100 talents’ registrations and over 30 companies attending. Among them, we can quote prominent entities like Monnalisa, Clementoni, Carioca, Movimenti, Minalima, Doodle Production, Feenix Studio and many others. This edition’s spotlight is on the toy, stationery, gaming, fashion and animation worlds.
International Kids Licensing Days (IKLD). A new breaking-record edition
BLTF/Kids organizes, in collaboration with Licensing Magazine, the 5th edition of the International Kids Licensing Days (IKLD): three packed days of in-depth conversations on key industry themes, from licensing to publishing, from audiovisual media to games. Over 60 international speakers debate on fandom, the growing influence of gaming, its interaction with licensing and publishing, best practices on book to screen projects, the achievements of licensing giants – such as Mattel, Moomin, DeA Planeta Entertainment on the occasion of their anniversaries – and unmissable licensing previews.
BLTF/K Facts and Figures
- +800 brands represented
- +53 International Exhibitors
- +60 international speakers at the International Kids Licensing Days
- +30 Licensing Portfolio Reviews sessions
- +250 awards submissions
What’s new from exhibitors
Among the 53 prestigious exhibitors and registered companies, we can mention The Pokémon Company International, DeAPlaneta Entertainment, Universal Products & Experiences, Sanrio, Mattel, Rai Com, Starbright Licensing, Maurizio Distefano Licensing, Paramount – as well as new names like Kings League, ChefClub, The Mouse Mansion, Peanuts Worldwide, Minalima, The Smiley Company and many others.
The event also highlights what’s new from the Asian market with companies like Tomarmon from South Korea (page 80) and Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA, pages 70/73), exploring new networking and expansion opportunities in the European and International market.
Here’s a selected preview of companies attending the event, not previously mentioned in this issue.
Rai is an Italian leading media company. Its subsidiary, Rai Com, handles the distribution of Rai and third-party rights globally. The Licensing & Merchandising division oversees brands from development to commercial agreements, leveraging Rai’s high audience ratings to create a unique market presence. Among their highlighted properties, we can mention the successful live-action also broadcast on Netflix, Mare Fuori.
Nearly fifteen years after their debut, Sam & Julia continue to captivate families worldwide, sparking creativity, kindness, and adventure. Born as a Dutch publishing success, it later developed into a global sensation – with 23 titles, over 1 million books sold, and translations in 27 languages. The Mouse Mansion brings to life the engaging adventures of two tiny mice with big personalities, promoting important values.
Booster Milano is a new licensing and consulting agency that turns potential into results. With a strategic, integrated, creative, and data-driven approach, it enhances brand value across key sectors, thanks to a team with hands-on experience in both companies and agencies. Its portfolio spans from kids to sports, from art to evergreen properties, including brands such as Talking Tom Heroes, Cry Babies, Mini Pet Pals, Tulipop, Gazzetta dello Sport, and more.
Starbright Licensing agency confirms its leading position in Italy for the Anime and Kidult target, thanks to its strong and various portfolio of Japanese animation and Gaming IPs – growing trends in 2025. Starbright’s portfolio includes beloved IPs, such as Stumble Guys, Sanrio Characters, Dragon Ball, Naruto, Attack on Titan, Evangelion, My Hero Academia; BLUE LOCK, sports manga and anime; Yu-Gi-Oh! and the preschool series Miniheroes of the Forest, produced by Movimenti Production (pages 62-63).
Studiogiochi has an amazing portfolio with custom board games, designed to complement marketing campaigns, contests, anniversaries, events, products, and amazing puzzles, which can be printed on packaging or enjoyed online as well. Studiogiochi provides a solution for every brand!
Cool Things is a well-established player in the capsule toys and pocket money toys categories. This year is rich of exciting launches of brand-new collections from popular brands – such as Sanrio, Harry Potter, DC Justice League, Paw Patrol, Care Bears, Mattel, Peanuts, South Park, and Tokidoki.
For over 50 years, The Smiley Company has been spreading positivity and shaping culture. What began as a simple Smiley icon has evolved into a globally recognized brand, championing emotion, storytelling, and innovation. Now, after a successful 50th anniversary campaign in 2022—which reached billions worldwide through 60+ brand collaborations, street art, and retail activations—Smiley is gearing up for an even bigger milestone: 30 Years of Smileys in 2027!
Barbapapa, represented by TF1 Licensing, enchanting audiences of all ages since 1970, celebrates its 55th Anniversary in 2025, with exclusive events and new products. The beloved series airs on TFOU and TF1+, captivating 33.9% of children aged 4 to 10. It is also broadcast on RAI, YLE, RTBF, RTF, ORF, and across many territories on Nick Junior. Exciting lifestyle collaborations have been launched, including partnerships with the RMN-Grand Palais, the Louvre, and fashion designer Pero.
With over 3 million books sold worldwide, Studio MinaLima brings the enchanting world of illustrated and interactive MinaLima Editions to BLTF/K. The design studio presents a first look at the next book in the award-winning MinaLima Classics series, Frankenstein, and more to be announced.
The Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 offers a comprehensive licensing program for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Among the distinctive elements there are: Italia Team, the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay, the discipline pictograms, and the “Look of the Games,” the visual essence of the Games. The mascots Tina and Milo, accompanied by the friendly Flo, are the stars of a unique licensing program, primarily designed for the kids’ target audience.
Curated by Cristina Angelucci
