**Key Points of the Article:**
– 24 different projects, comprising of 13 films and 11 series, are set to be showcased at the 9th edition of Young Horizons Industry.
– The event, taking place from 29th September to 1st October 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, is focused on content created for children and young adults.
– The projects are international contributions from 16 different countries.
– Young Horizons Industry serves as an industry element of the Young Horizons International event.
– This news was first published on Skwigly Animation Magazine.
Yabba-Dabba Doo: Young Horizons Industry 2025 Finds its ‘Magnificent 24’
Brewing Creativity in the Land of Pierogi
Animation in Full Swing: 24 Precious Jewels in Poland’s Crown
In a delightful development seemingly straight out of a kid’s dream comics diary, the animation world is all set to descend upon Poland. Think Avengers: Endgame, except instead of spaceships and superheroes, it’s all about cartoons and claymation! From enchanting films that make you believe in unicorns, to series that transform broccoli into something fun, there’s a lot brewing at the Young Horizons Industry 2025. Not just one, or two, but 24 international projects will be enthralling the audience and probably sneaking some life lessons along the way. After all, it’s not just the pierogis that are hop, pipping, and stuffed to the brim with flavour in Poland this year. The animation industry is following suit.
But let’s not forget, behind the excitement and the fun, there’s the serious business of co-production. It’s a vibrant platform where animators can basically ‘play-doh’ their dreams into reality. We’re sure there are animators out there feeling like they’ve just chugged down a can of spinach – yes, we’re looking at you, Popeye!
All in all, it’s popcorn time and the silver screen is ready. So here’s hoping that post-Young Horizons, the world of animation will get a little bit brighter, a bit more inventive, and a whole lot more unforgettable. Remember folks till next time, as Woody from Toy Story would say – “Reach for the sky!”
A total of 24 projects, comprising 13 films and 11 series from across 16 nations, will feature at the 9th Young Horizons Industry – an international platform geared towards co-production of films, and series targeting younger audiences (29 September – 1 October 2025, Warsaw, Poland). This event forms a part of the greater Young Horizons International Film Festival. In 2025, Young Horizons Industry is set to cast the spotlight on a country of honour for the first time ever. Anticipation is building as the detailed programme for Croatia’s turn in the limelight nears announcement in September. Applications for the Project Pool, a non-pitching section of the forum, are now being accepted – read on for more details. Registration is also open. The jury faced the daunting task of shortlisting a record-breaking 111 submissions from 56 countries. From these, 20 projects were chosen for development, and 4 for the final stages of progress. The selection committee was composed of eminent industry personalities including Selma Munksgaard Hansen of Angel Films, Denmark; Julietta Sichel from 8Heads Productions, Czech Republic; Maja Fišter of HRT, Croatia; Jakub Karwowski at Letko, Poland; and Gennarino Romano, from Dandelooo, France. Projects representing 16 nations have made it to the final list including co-producing countries. CEE countries such as Poland (5), Estonia (3), Czech Republic (2), Croatia (1), Hungary (1), Latvia (1); followed by Germany (4), Denmark (2), France (2), United Kingdom (2), along with Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, Ireland, Spain, and Sweden with one project each. The selection of 13 movies includes 7 real-life and 6 animated projects. 11 chosen series feature 5 animations, 5 real-life stories, and 1 mixture of real-life and animation. Just as in previous years, the primary focus for the vast majority of projects was on 7 to 12-year-olds (46%), followed by young adults (37%), pre-schoolers (21%), and teenagers (12%) (some projects aim to reach more than one age group, for example, teenagers and young adults). The variety of genres amongst the handpicked projects spans comedy, fantasy, crime, drama, and adventure. The topics are just as diverse, ranging from silent animated series and projects based on familiar entities, through to narratives that help us overcome the fear of nightmares or teach us how to coexist peacefully with technology, and reaching into deeply analytical stories about the pursuit of inner balance and acceptance. Significantly, the issue of mental health struggles amongst children and teens is powerfully represented, providing narratives centred around hypersensitivity, social anxiety, mental equilibrium, and feelings of loneliness. These stories are woven together with themes of early love and the onset of puberty, inclusion and tolerance. The highlighted angle towards mental health echoes the ongoing debate regarding the wellbeing of today’s young generation. However, it wouldn’t be a complete assortment without stories about the transformative power of friendship and feel-good weekend adventures perfect for family viewing whether you choose the cinema, TV, or a streaming platform. Projects in Development Phase: Projects Nearing Completion: The Project Pool – Now Open for Applications Submissions for the Project Pool, a non-pitching section, are now welcome from 2 July to 31 July. The Project Pool will provide producers and screenwriters with an enhanced platform to showcase their work, helping them to identify potential partnerships and receiving valuable feedback without necessarily having to rehearse and deliver a pitch. Projects from this section may be contenders for the PFX award. Both producers and screenwriters are invited to submit an entry to the Project Pool. Further details pertaining to the projects, Spotlight on Croatia, or the Project Pool can be found at: industry.younghorizons.pl.
A Deluge of Project Submissions
A LOOK AT THE HANDPICKED PROJECTS
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/24-projects-selected-for-young-horizons-industry-2025/