The Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids is due to return to the Bologna Fiere Exhibition Centre for its 17th edition, from 8th to 11th April 2024.
The licensing business fair is an integral part of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF), the world’s leading trade event for children’s publishing. In 2023, the event celebrated its 60th anniversary with an enormously successful edition which attracted 1,456 exhibitors from 90 countries and regions of the world, and 28,894 visiting professionals.
The new edition of Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/K), in Hall 29 – Mall 2, will be packed with content and services. In addition to the exhibition area and events room for launching and presenting brands, the Licensing Business Lounge will be available for hosting appointments and exhibiting products. A new BCBF TV/Film Rights Centre area will be available, designed to welcome audiovisual producers and facilitate networking with the publishing world for a greater book-to-screen offering, released in cooperation with Book on a Tree.
Among the companies participating in the first edition of this new business area are industry leaders such as Mediatoon, Netflix and Movimenti Production. More than 300 meetings have been organised between registered audiovisual producers and publishers exhibiting at BCBF.
There will be sustainability-themed exhibitions and initiatives and in-depth coverage of the retail and fashion sectors, with opportunities for meetings between operators in these two areas and exhibitors.
BLTF/K is also organising the 4th edition of the International Kids Licensing Days (IKLD): three days of panel discussions about the latest trends in licensing and publishing. These will take place from 8th to 10th April, with important focus sessions on gaming, Artificial Intelligence and the adaptation of books into audiovisual formats. Some sessions will be dedicated to landmark anniversaries, such as 50 years of Hello Kitty and 35 years of Elmer.
The scheduled speakers include Yulia Amano (Kodansha, Japan), Ludwig Kullander (Astrid Lindgren Company, Sweden), Tadeja Irmančnik (Outfit7, Slovenia), Paul Black (Andersen Press, UK), Silvia Figini (Sanrio, Italy), Daniele Tombini (Smiley World, UK), Francesca Perri (Tonucci & Partners, Italy), Gary Pope (Kids Industries, UK), Morghan Fortier and Brett Jubinville (Skyship Entertainment, Canada), Neal Hoskins (WingedChariot, Poland) and Gianluca Marani (Funny Tales, Italy).
An important new feature at this edition is the Licensing Portfolio Reviews, with more than 190 meetings in three days. Thanks to a speed-dating format, 16 leading international companies in the sectors of audiovisual production, gaming, toys, fashion and stationery, such as Devolver Digital, Funny Tales, Animoka, Gaumont, Pigna, Awakening Games, IllustraBimbi, Red Glove, Movimenti Production, Franco Cosimo Panini Editore, Headu, Seven Spa, Enanimation, J. Brand International, MS Edizioni, Kreaktiva Lab, will meet with young illustration talents from all over the world.
More than 1,000 brands and numerous exhibitors will be present at BLTF/K 2024, including: The Pokémon Company International, DeAPlaneta Entertainment, Universal Products & Experiences, Sanrio, Pea, Mattel, Boing, Rai Com, Maurizio Distefano Licensing, Mondo TV, TF1 Licensing, Cool Things, Sbabam, Starbright, Grani & Partners, Dynit, Leoni, Kreaktiva Lab.
The fair will also feature the 7th edition of the Bologna Licensing Awards, the only industry accolade in Italy for international licensors/agencies, licensees and retailers. The awards attracted a total of 182 entries from all over the world, and the winners will benefit from a special showcase at the centre of the event.
