Sneak peek: 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.

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 & Acquisitions Scout, Blue Spirit Studios & 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.

Close-up talks

We’ve been looking for a space that could give our participants opportunities for more active participation and a chance to exchange in a smaller group after the conference part. The close-up talks, based on the idea of a round table discussion for around 20 people, seem to be a perfect solution.

Registration for the close-up talks will open in September. To be able to register, you need to have accreditation for Young Horizons Industry (Early Bird tickets are available until 10 August).

Check out the topics of the close-up talks:

THE MECHANISMS THAT MAKE STORIES WORK IN TV & STREAMING

Geert Torfs, Transmedia Expert & Story Architect, Belgium; Juliet Tzabar, Studio Head of Brighton Zoo, UK; and Diego Ibáñez Belaustegui, Chief Brand Officer, DeAPlaneta Entertainment, Spain, will be exploring the mechanisms behind successful storytelling in an age of endless content, rapid platform shifts, and increasingly sophisticated audience behaviour.

• Geert Torfs will deepen the discussion on trend-driven content development and transmedia strategies with leading industry voices.
• Juliet Tzabar takes us behind the scenes of how multi-platform thinking – starting from the concept phase – can lead to real audience growth and sustainability, even in an unpredictable market.
• Diego Ibáñez Belaustegui will showcase the company’s strategies for navigating an increasingly unstable market – creating original, game-driven IPs from scratch, adapting to shifting consumer habits, and building lasting engagement with both preschool and teen audiences.

Join this interactive talk to discuss what makes a story truly resonate with Generation Alpha: today’s youngest viewers, growing up as digital natives.

TRANSFORMING EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION – From Creator to Curator – Enhancing a Consumer Relation

This close-up talk is a must-attend for distributors and producers looking to elevate their engagement strategies. Eleanor Coleman, Executive Producer & Acquisitions Scout, Blue Spirit Studios & Indie Sales, France, and Oliver Fegan, CEO and Co-Founder of usheru, Ireland, will discuss how European film distributors and producers can rethink their marketing strategies in an era where mass marketing is no longer viable.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK – How New Type of Creators Are Making Stories Work

A new generation of creators is emerging – business-savvy, audience-focused, and creatively ambitious. These storytellers are changing the rules by involving their audiences early and thinking beyond traditional production and distribution models.

In this round table, Anna Zychowicz, a representative Gen Z producer from a new Polish production house Laniakea Pictures, in a conversation with Alexandra Cruz, Sales Executive, Yellow Affair, Denmark, shares how she develops content that resonates with young audiences.

In this session, you will learn how strategic planning, audience insight, and fan-community building can help projects stand out.

More information is coming