Young Horizons Industry conference programme

On behalf of Viola Gabrielli, Head of Programme at Young Horizons Industry, we are revealing the theme of this year’s conference programme and a sneak peek of what awaits for you this year.

What Works – Stories, Screens, and Strategies That Connect

“In 2025, the industry still relies on familiar ground—proven IPs, cautious commissioning, and platform-driven discoveries are boosted by YouTube dominance in showcasing new content and new talents”, says our Head of Programme, Viola Gabrielli.

But change is on the way.

“At the same time, success now depends not just on strong stories, but also on smart strategies for access, engagement, and relevance”, she adds.

With insights from leading experts, this year’s conference will explore what resonates on screens both large and small.

• How do creators and industry players connect with an evolving, diverse, and demanding audience?
• What type of stories engage the young demographic?
• What new approaches to distribution and financing open doors for fresh creative voices to enter the industry?

Join us at the conference to find out WHAT WORKS and be part of the conversation that’s shaping the art  of storytelling for a creative young audience and its business prospects.

First keynote: WHAT WORKS – THEATRICAL: Is the Big Screen Still King?

To open the conference, we will start with new insights from Ampere Analysis, exploring the current state of theatrical releases and performance. Peter Ingram, Research Manager at Ampere Analysis (UK) is offering a data-driven view of audience behaviour, title performance, and evolving trends across Poland and the European market.

Let’s find out whether the Big Screen is still King.

Second keynote: What Works – What Clicks With the Young Audience of Today

This keynote and the panel afterwards are for all the professionals who are looking to crack the code on what formats and innovations truly resonate with the young generations — and what is just a passing trend.

Geert Torfs, Innovation & Youth Strategy Expert at VRT’s Future Media Hub, will present fresh insights from an in-depth study conducted in collaboration with leading innovation departments across European broadcasters. He will unpack the shifting preferences of audiences aged 3 to 30.

From emerging content formats to strategic audience engagement, Geert will highlight the key takeaways and future-facing recommendations for broadcasters and creators.

Panel discussion: Adapting What Works – Rethinking Formats, Access, and Curation

Industry experts Juliet Tzabar, Studio Head, Brighton Zoo (UK); Anna Zychowicz, Producer at Laniakea Pictures (Poland); Geert Torfs, Transmedia Expert (Belgium); and Diego Ibáñez Belaustegui, Chief Brand Officer at DeAPlaneta Entertainment (Spain) share their strategies for adapting to rapidly changing market conditions.

The panel will be moderated by Eleanor Coleman, Executive Producer, Business Development and Animation Expert, Blue Spirit Studios (BSS) & Indie Sales (France).

From building brands to reimagining distribution models, our guests will discuss their approaches for thriving in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Building on the keynotes, this panel will explore how content producers and distributors can achieve the best results.

Following the panel, each speaker will participate in in-depth Close-Up Talks.

More information soon.