Entering its third edition, Just Film Industry Days will take place from November 19–22, 2025, continuing its mission to bring together filmmakers, film educators, and future filmmakers from across Europe and beyond. Over four days, participants will explore the intersections of creativity, education, and the film industry, focusing on the development and promotion of high-quality content for children and young audiences.
At the heart of the programme are two major pitching sessions that have become a cornerstone of the event. The **Co-Production Market ** will showcase four projects currently in development or pre-production, all designed for young audiences. Once again, Eurimages will present its prestigious €20,000 Co-Production Development Award to a standout project, providing vital support for feature-length fiction, animation, or documentary co-productions.
Alongside it, the Just Film Works in Progress session gives the selected projects in the final stages of production the opportunity to present their films to post-production partners, sales agents, distributors, and festivals. Both sessions include valuable one-to-one meetings before and after the pitches, enabling participants to forge meaningful industry connections and advance their projects.
Beyond pitching, this year’s edition offers an exciting programme of panels, talks, and networking events. Film education remains one of Just Film’s key pillars. In collaboration with Into Film (UK), EYE (Netherlands), and Kinomaja Filmikool (Estonia), the session How Film Education Can Change the World will explore the transformative role of film in cultural development and youth empowerment. The discussion will look at how film education contributes to national identity, economic growth, and global cultural dialogue, highlighting inspiring examples from across Europe.
The industry discussions will also tackle two topics vital to today’s filmmakers — sales and distribution, and media visibility. In the panel Why Children’s Films Deserve a Place at the Adults’ Table, experts such as John Bleasdale (Variety) and Veronica Orciari (The European Animation Journal, Cineuropa) will discuss the underrepresentation of children’s and youth cinema in major media outlets, despite its undeniable box office and cultural impact. Another session will look into the evolving landscape of theatrical vs. streaming releases, featuring Rebecca Hartung (PLUTO FILM) and Anne Schultka (KIDS Regio). With the gap between cinema and streaming releases shrinking, the discussion will question what role festivals and theaters play in today’s fast-paced industry — especially for children’s films that must balance creativity with market realities.
Returning this year is the much-loved Fckup Night with KIDS Regio, a space where professionals openly share their missteps and what they learned from them — a refreshing reminder that failure is often the first step toward success. Also on the programme, Marjo Kovanen presents insights from her PhD dissertation exploring how horror elements in children’s films can help young audiences safely navigate fear, resilience, and imagination, shedding light on why such stories remain both powerful and timeless.
Finally, the event once again invests in the next generation of storytellers. Curated by Alasdair Satchel, the young filmmakers’ workshop will guide students through hands-on exercises in cinematic style and sensory storytelling. Participants will explore how sound, texture, and atmosphere can heighten emotion and deepen audience engagement — culminating in the creation of their own short pieces.