The Young Horizons brand, focused on the film and series production for young audiences, is among the largest and most prestigious in this field. In addition to the film festival, which takes place in over twenty locations across Poland and online, it offers a professional program for film industry experts – Young Horizons Industry. This year, Slovakia has a significant presence at both parts.
The Main Competition of the Young Horizons International Film Festival will showcase two feature films that had their world premieres at the Annecy Festival. Living Large, directed by Kristina Dufková, follows twelve-year-old Ben, who grapples with puberty, first love, being overweight, and bullies at school. Diplodocus by Wojtek Wawszczyk tells the story of a curious dinosaur yearning for a great adventure. The Short Stories section will present the film Hello Summer (dir. Martin Smatana, Veronika Zacharová), which focuses on family troubles and joys during a summer vacation. The film Even Mice Belong in Heaven (dir. Denisa Grimmová, Jan Bubeníček) will also return to the festival, featured in the Our Classics section.
Slovakia also has a strong presence in the Young Horizons Industry program, with several Slovak filmmakers participating. Viktória Zimmermanová, a student from the Academy of the Performing Arts in Bratislava (VŠMU) Animation Department, will take part in the Young Talents program, which provides young filmmakers with the opportunity to explore the international market and make new connections. This year, 13 talented students and graduates from various European countries will participate.
Producer Andrej Kolenčík and director Anna Ďurišíková will present their upcoming documentary film Animals of the East, about the love and inseparable bond between humans and animals, in the Work in Progress pitching competition.
Slovak director Eugénia Kamozinová will attend the fourth edition of the educational and networking program Producers LINK, designed for producers starting out in children’s film production. The program connects two important industry events – Young Horizons Industry in Warsaw and Cinekid for Professionals in Amsterdam. During these events, producers can attend various workshops, film project presentations, and discussions aimed at stimulating the production of high-quality content for young audiences.
The Slovak Film Institute is a partner of the Producers LINK program.
Website: festiwal.mlodehoryzonty.pl/en, industry.younghorizons.pl
