The idea to create a special focus on documentaries came up after having two successful editions of the ‘Kids Kino Docs’ documentary project development programme (note: the second edition ends in September). The aim of these workshops is to create a space for documentary filmmakers with projects at development or pre-production stage that will contribute to the growing popularity of documentaries for young viewers – among filmmakers as well as audiences. ‘Focus on Docs’ in this year's programme is another step aimed at giving this genre more visibility and talking about the biggest challenges and obstacles the documentary industry faces.
Confirmed guests from documentary field
An extended list of industry professionals working in the documentary field gives an opportunity for filmmakers to meet with peers and talk with international experts. This list includes distributors: Cinema Delicatessen, Split Screen, Attraction Distribution, Windrose and JEF, as well as broadcasters: BBC, VRT - Ketnet, Canal + Poland and Latvian TV, and producers: GotFat Productions, Haka Films, Pinot Films, Bulletproof Cupid, are just a few of the companies that already confirmed their attendance.
DOCS FOR A YOUNG AUDIENCE – Towards more visibility
As part of the special focus on documentaries, Young Horizons Industry invites film professionals to take part in a special session – “DOCS FOR A YOUNG AUDIENCE – Towards more visibility”.
The session will highlight several case studies, followed by round tables with international experts. One of the case studies will be the Dutch film “Shabu” – a movie directed by Shamira Raphaëla that has been screened at multiple festivals and already won awards at IDFA, Berlinale, CPH:Docs, Hot Docs to name a few. The fact that it has gained recognition among audiences is a great example that there is a need for more documentary projects for young viewers.
After the session, international industry stakeholders and professionals, in a safe space of two round tables, will share and analyse the pressing question of how to create more buzz for non-fictional films for young audiences, discuss strategies that have already worked, using the examples of the various case studies, and come up with new creative concepts.
Pitching presentation of documentary projects
The second part of this year’s ‘Focus on Docs’ will take place during pitching sections, which are the core part of the Young Horizons Industry programme. Selected documentary projects developed at the Kids Kino Docs programme will join 26 projects already selected, and will be looking for partners and feedback during the event.
Focus on Docs – list of projects:
- ‘Armed With Drums’ by Øyvind Aamli
- ‘Elliot‘ by Maida Eirheim
- ‘A Layup’ by Olga Papacz
- ‘My Imaginary Friend’ by Ellen Morgenstierne
- ‘Patterns of Being’ by Małgorzata Wabińska
- ‘We Keep Them In Our Hearts’ by Julie Engaas, Cecilie Bjørnaraa
- ‘The World According To Jędrek’ by Aleksandra Bielska
The full list of projects (documentary, live-action and animation) selected for Young Horizons Industry, along with more information, is available at: industry.younghorizons.pl/projects.
All the case study presentations and pitchings are open to anyone with an accreditation, but the individual round tables require registration. The registration for the round tables will open in the first half of September.
More information about Young Horizons Industry and accreditation can be found at: industry.younghorizons.pl.
Become our partner
The second edition of the Kids Kino Docs programme, co-financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, ends in September. We are now looking for partners for another Docs edition 2024/2025! If you would like to be a part of the programme, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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About Young Horizons Industry
Young Horizons Industry (formerly known as Kids Kino Industry) is the industry part of the Young Horizons International Film Festival. Each year, around 300 film professionals come to Poland to exchange ideas, share their experience, and develop new content for young audiences. Young Horizons Industry is a space where we help connect projects with potential co-producers, distributors, sales agents, broadcasters, and film funds.
Besides the forum, Young Horizons Industry is a series of programmes and projects aimed at supporting and promoting film and series development for young audiences such as script development workshops and mentoring programmes for upcoming filmmakers.
Young Horizons Industry, part of Young Horizons Festival is co-financed by: Polish Film Institute, Creative Europe MEDIA sub-programme, City of Warsaw, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Poland.
Partners: ORKA Production, FIXAFILM, Audiovisual Technology Center, Mazovia Warsaw Film Commission, Wrocław Film Commission, Gdańsk Film Fund, Łódź Film Commission, Podkarpackie Film Commission, Silesian Film Fund, Polish Producers Alliance (KIPA), Kids REGIO, German Children’s Film Association (Förderverein Deutscher Kinderfilm e.V), m:brane, CEEA Forum, Animarkt Stop Motion Forum, Animation Production Days, Cinekid for Professionals, Polish Animation Producers Association (SPPA), Film New Europe, BrLab.
