Young Horizons round table @ APD 2026: “Cloudy & Stormy”: A New Generation of Audience-First Storytelling

We are back to the Animation Production Days and we are delighted to invite film professionals to join us during the round table discussion “Cloudy & Stormy”: A New Generation of Audience-First Storytelling organised by Young Horizons Industry.

This session is a part of a long-term partnership between the Young Horizons Industry and Animation Production Days.

Round table: “Cloudy & Stormy”: A New Generation of Audience-First Storytelling

Date and venue: 6 May, 11:15–12:15, Altes Schloss, Stuttgart

Moderator: Viola Gabrielli, head of programme at Young Horizons Industry
Speaker: Zofia Ścisłowska, producer at Laniakea Pictures

The round table is focused on “Cloudy & Stormy”, a digital brand made in Poland with a clever cross-media strategy that will win the pre-schooler audience as well as Gen Z.

Developed as an audience-first project in Poland, this case study explores how strategic testing, influencer ecosystems, and an agile company structure enabled “Cloudy & Stormy” to invest in experimentation, and grow organically before pursuing larger-scale expansion.

Equally innovative is the company behind it. The holding EKIPA, founded by Polish top influencers, combines entrepreneurial reach with a creative ambition. Its attached production house LANIAKEA Pictures is equipped with experienced professionals coming mainly from the animation background with a passion to  design original worlds aligned with cultural values and market trends.

As non-traditional players increasingly enter the content space, “Cloudy & Stormy” offers a compelling case study of how audience-first thinking and innovative company design can redefine IP creation for the next generation.

Animation Production Days (APD) is one of the most important co-production and financing markets for animation in Germany. The 20th edition of the event will be held between 5 and 7 May, in Stuttgart.

Read more about the session and APD.