The Junior Co-Production Market (cinekid.nl) returns to Pathé Amsterdam Noord during the 2023 Cinekid for Professionals program. Seventeen projects will be presented to the industry, including eight films, seven series and two works-in-progress.
Submissions came from a wide range of countries, with selected projects originating from five more countries than last year, such as Brazil (Tata), Ukraine (Monsterberry Jam) and Serbia (The Secret of The Dragon’s Fellowship). The Netherlands has a strong presence at the Market this year, with two productions, including The Rules of Three, the new project from Margien Rogaar, director of this year’s Cinekid Festival Opening Film Jippie No More! In addition, three Dutch co-productions will be presented at the Market. Stories about the environment, war and loss are highly represented in the selected projects.
Animation dominates this year’s selection, with nine projects (compared to seven live-action projects and one documentary). Highlights from this category include the much-anticipated feature sequel Fox and Hare Save the Forest, from Amsterdam production company Submarine in co-production with Walking the Dog and Doghouse, which will be presented as a work-in-progress. Another highlight is the new series from Market alum Kuli Film, ORF, in co-production with One to One Films.
Cinekid for Professionals supports the entire life cycle of a film, and therefore is proud that two of the selected projects have participated in training programs such as Script LAB and Directors LAB, or have pitched at the Market at an earlier stage. These projects are One Brother Too Many, which participated in the 2022 Directors LAB and the work-in-progress Block 5, which was pitched in development at the 2021 JCM and is set to be released next year.
“We succeeded in presenting a diverse selection, reflecting a broad spectrum of topics for all age groups. We see social themes presented from preschool to coming of age in playful and hopeful projects, such as Big Bang Parade, an original concept in which several stories from different filmmakers are connected playfully,” said Cinekid Festival Director Heleen Rouw.
Sara Juričić, Head of Cinekid for Professionals, noted, “The projects in the Junior Co-Production Market are more than just movies; they are the voices of a new generation ready to make a difference through the power of film. Through it, they entertain and inspire, serving as catalysts for transformative impact, penned with unwavering resolve and presented with the boundless ingenuity of young visionaries.”
The Junior Co-Production Market brings financiers, producers, and broadcasters into contact with a selection of new and innovative film and series projects for children from established and emerging sector makers. Over two days, the projects will be presented to the international children’s media industry and participate in one-on-one meetings with interested professionals.
Two prizes will be awarded to projects from the selection. The best eligible project with European co-production potential will receive Eurimages’ prestigious Co-Production Development Award and €20,000 in cash. The Filmmore Post-Production Award comes with a €5.000 prize and will go to the best live-action project. The winners will be announced during the Cinekid Awards on Wednesday, October 25.
Junior Co-Production Market Projects
(* Denotes animated projects where we were able to confirm.)
Film
Big Bang Parade *
Directed by Britt Raes, Hermien Verstraeten, Nienke Deutz, Imge Özbilge, Sine Özbilge, Karolien Raeymaekers and Martyna Koleniec
Written by Ilka De Bisschop
Production Companies: Lunanime BV, Momakin and Flinck Film
Produced by Degryse Annemie
Production Countries: Belgium, Poland, and The Netherlands
The ‘Big Bang Parade’ will be a compilation film for young and old, consisting of short animated films by various makers. The short films are interwoven by the central theme of space, but each has its own identity and graphic style. It will be a colorful ode to artistic diversity and a particular asset for young viewers from 3 to 5 years old. (From Lunanime)
The Dream Master *
Directed by Kristian Nordentoft
Written by Jesper Fink
Production Company: Copenhagen Bombay
Produced by Sarita Christensen and Mette Valbjørn Skøtt
Production Country: Denmark
Nine-year-old Catherine is used to setting aside her own needs when taking care of her younger sister Sophie who has multiple impairments. But one day Catherine suddenly finds herself in an underwater dreamworld where Sophie is a giant pink unicorn called The Dream Master. Together, they set out on an enchanting adventure where they meet all sorts of magical creatures: talking toys, rapping mermaids, and much more. The many hardships bring the sisters closer. Outside, in the real world, they can’t communicate, but through imagination Catherine discovers a way to communicate with her sister. And for the first time she feels that she finally got the little sister she always wished for. (From Copenhagen Bombay)
Hanneke & Fiet
Directed by Mischa Kamp
Written by Tamara Bos
Production Companies: NL Film and TV and Endemol Shine Israel
Produced by Dennis Cornelisse
Production Country: The Netherlands and Israel<
Nico Finds a Treasure
Directed by Konstantinos Frangopoulos
Written by Alexandra Dyranis-Maounis
Based on the short story by Ali Mitgutsch
Production Companies: Anemon Productions, asterisk*, Bind Film and Lieblingsfilm
Produced by Rea Apostolides, Yuri Averof, Joram Willink and Philipp Budweg
Production Countries: Greece, The Netherlands and Germany
One Brother Too Many
Directed by Tove Undheim
Written by Tove Undheim
Production Company: Miso Film
Produced by Hedda Hansson Rudi
Production Country: Norway
The Rules of Three (working title)
Directed by Margien Rogaar
Written by Evianne Lamme and Fiona van Heemstra
Production Companies: BIND and URSUS Parvus
Produced by Joram Willink, Maaike Neve and Hlin Johannesdottir
Production Countries: The Netherlands and Iceland
Secret of the Dragon’s Fellowship
Directed by Vanja Hovan
Written by Milan V. Puzic, Uros Petrovic and Vanja Hovan
Production Companies: Biberche Productions, Maxima Film, Palchica Productions, Bela Film and Kwassa Films
Produced by Nikolina Vucetic-Zecevic
Production Countries: Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Belgium
Series
Children of Water
Directed by Joy Penroz
Written by Joy Penroz
Production Companies: Raki Films and RTVC Señal Colombia
Produced by Sylvian Grain
Production Countries: Chile, Colombia
Firsts *
Directed by Bambú Orellana and Paloma Mora
Written by Elena Gobernado, María Mínguez, Noelia Martínez Y Guadalupe Sáez, Catalina Fontecilla, Javier Risco, Michelle Redón, Bárbara Salinas and Bambú Orellana
Production Companies: Admirable Films, TV ON Producciones and TYPPO Creative Lab
Produced by Paloma Mora
Production Countries: Spain and Chile
Mia Moké
Directed by Jeremie Becquer, Julien Becquer and Karim Gadjigo
Written by Karim Gadjigo and Louise Dubois
Production Companies: Special Touch Studios, African Touch Studios, Ozemnia and Paul Thiltges Distributions
Produced by Sebastien Onomo
Production Countries: France, Senegal, Cameroon, and Luxembourg
Monsterberry Jam *
Directed by Roman Kepkalo
Written by Roman Kepkalo
Production Company: YARKI
Produced by Yana Palamarenko
Production Country: Ukraine
Odd Adventures of Ninja & Bibby *
Directed by Piotr Różycki
Production Company: Laniakea Pictures
Produced by Zofia Jaroszuk
Production Country: Poland
ORF *
Directed by Jan Cechl
Written by Eva Prchalová, Jan Cechl
Production Companies: Kuli Film and One to One Films
Produced by Radim Procházka and Irina Calado
Production Countries: Czech Republic and Portugal
Tata *
Directed by Celia Catunda and Kiko Mistrorigo
Written by Rita Catunda
Production Company: Pinguim Content
Produced by Ricardo Rozzino
Production Country: Brazil
Works in Progress
Block 5
Directed by Klemen Dvornik
Written by Dora Šustić
Production Companies: A Atalanta, Antitalent, BFilm and Living Pictures
Produced by Barbara Daljavec
Production Country: Slovenia, Croatia, and Czech Republic
Fox and Hare Save the Forest *
Feature Film
Directed by Mascha Halberstad
Written by Fabie Hulsebos
Production Companies: Submarine, Walking the Dog and Doghouse
Produced by Janneke van de Kerkhof
Production Countries: The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg
World Sales: Urban Distribution International
Benelux Distributor: Periscoop Film
