Young Horizons Industry has officially unveiled the full program for its upcoming edition, putting the strategic evolution of kids & family IP at the center of the industry debate.
The professional forum will focus on how modern audiences discover and engage with content, alongside multi-platform strategies to scale original properties across film, gaming, publishing, consumer products, and digital media.
In addition to the main program, the organization announced a major update for attendees: the launch of a Conference Day Pass, a targeted one-day access option dedicated to industry professionals looking to attend the keynotes, panels, and case studies taking place on the opening day of the forum.
Keynotes, Panels & Transmedia Case Studies
28 September
Keynote: Understanding the Audience by David Kleeman
David Kleeman (SVP of Global Trends, Dubit) will present new audience research analyzing how children and young demographic segments discover, navigate, and consume IP across an increasingly fragmented media ecosystem.
Panel: Creative Expertise: Building IP with Heart
A panel of European creators and executives will dissect the balance between artistic integrity and commercial transmedia scalability, covering publishing-first properties, hand-crafted animation, and cross-platform universes.
Panel: From Playable To Audiovisual Worlds
Producers, game developers, publishers, and licensing partners will discuss cross-industry strategies behind transforming digital-native properties — such as “Talking Tom & Friends” and “Warrior Cats” — into global entertainment franchises.
Case study: “ViQueens” – The Anatomy of a High-Concept European Animated Feature and Its Global Theatrical Ambition
A deep dive into the business model, financing, and production strategies behind building a high-concept European animated feature designed for international theatrical distribution.
Case study: “Nelly Jelly” – Expanding a Local Book Character Into Screen and a Transmedia Universe
An insider look at how the Lithuanian publishing brand “Nelly Jelly” successfully executed an IP expansion strategy, evolving from a local picture book series into a multi-platform franchise.
29 September
Case study: “Cloudy & Stormy” – A Digital Brand Made in Poland With a Cross-Media Strategy That Will Win Over Audiences From Preschoolers to Gen Z
Analyzing an audience-first digital strategy developed in Poland, this session explores how strategic testing, influencer partnerships, and agile brand management allowed a digital property to scale organically before entering international expansion.
29 & 30 September
Consultants’ Tables: IP Development, Script, Content Strategy, Financing & Audience Insights
One-on-one executive advisory sessions covering IP expansion, script development, distribution strategy, co-production financing (featuring representatives from Eurimages and the Polish Film Institute), and audience analytics.
Executive Lineup & Industry Experts
The event will feature a global panel of speakers and international decision-makers, including:
- Janine Weigold, Independent Strategic Consultant, Weigoldmedia (Germany)
- Veslemøy Ruud Zwart, Producer and Writer, Zwart Arbeid (Norway)
- Simona Krasnauskienė, Children’s IP & Licensing Strategist & CEO, NJ WORLD (Lithuania)
- Rob Doherty, VP Production, Hasbro Entertainment (UK)
- Caroline Duvochel, Director of Audiovisual & Innovation, Média-Participations (France)
- Joanne Redfern, SVP Digital, Coolabi Group (UK)
- Nuša Gantar, Deputy VP of Entertainment, Outfit7 (Slovenia)
- Zofia Ścisłowska, Producer, Laniakea Pictures (Poland)
- Tim Biedert, Development, Creative & Executive Producer (Germany)
- Catherine Williams, Screenwriter & Script Consultant, Nice Scripty Person (UK)
- Sergio García de Leániz, Project Manager and Promotion Programme Manager, Eurimages (France)
- Oscar Albertsen, Senior Consultant, Will & Agency / PUBLIKUM (Denmark)
- David Kleeman, SVP of Global Trends, Dubit (USA)
Discover the Full Program & Schedule
Accreditation & Ticketing Options
To accommodate executives focused primarily on conference sessions, organizers have introduced the Conference Day Pass. Valid exclusively on September 28 at Kinoteka, this badge provides single-day access to keynotes, panel discussions, and case studies.
Full event accreditation remains required for access to project pitching sessions, 1:1 matchmaking meetings, and the Consultants’ Tables.
