Cinekid Script LAB

This six-month programme offers screenwriters a unique opportunity to develop their children’s films or series in a safe and professional environment. The twelfth edition of the programme launches in Amsterdam during Cinekid Festival this October and ends during the Berlinale in February.

A Last Summer in Calabria (film/ live action) 10+
Participating writers: Ali Hakim
Produced by: Hakim + König Film (Germany)

At our place (film/ live action) 4+
Participating writers: Ayla Spaans, Nadja Hüpscher
Produced by: Flinck Film (The Netherlands)
Nominated by: Netherlands Film Fund

CROWN (film/ live action) 11+
Participating writers: Amit Kaur, Bisola Elizabeth Alabi (United Kingdom)

DRIP (film/ live action) 12+
Participating writers: Sarah Baur, Evelien Den Tandt
Produced by: Bulletproof Cupid (Belgium)
Nominated by: Flanders Audiovisual Fund

FAN (film/live action) 12+
Participating writer: Medi Broekman
Produced by: Interact (The Netherlands)

Goodbye, Anne (film/ live action) 8+
Participating writers: Estefania Ortiz
Produced by: Shoji Films (Spain)

Natural Selection (series/ animation) 7+
Participating writers: Irida Zhonga 
Produced by: Neda Film (Greece)
Nominated by: Athens International Children’s Film Festival

Oriana (film/ live action) 7+
Participating writers: Nuno Soler
Produced by: Wonder Maria Films (Portugal)

Pink Punk Delta (film/ animation) 7+
Participating writers: Alba Sotorra
Produced by: Alba Sotorra SL (Spain), Artichoke Films (Slovakia)

Planet Robin (film/ live action) 9+
Participating writers: Johan Kaos
Produced by: Bellebob (Norway)
Nominated by: Norwegian Film Institute

Super Granola (film/ live action) 6+
Participating writers: Nadja Drakoula
Produced by: NEEDaFIXER  (Greece)

The Queen of England Stole My Parents (film/ live action) 8+
Participating writers: Gabija Siurbyte
Written by: Aleksandra Chmielewska and Gabija Siurbyte
Produced by: Dansu Films (Lithuania)

TRUE NORTH (film/ live action) 8+
Participating writers: Sunna Guðnadóttir and Jón Ármann Steinsson
Produced by: Bjartsýn Films (Iceland)
Nominated by: Icelandic Film Centre

Villain of Villains 2 (film/ live action) 7+
Participating writers: Jessika Jankert
Produced by: Strive Stories (Sweden), Paprika filmai (Lithuania)
Nominated by: Swedish Film Institute

• How to write for young audiences
• How to develop a new (and better) draft of your script
• How to connect and share knowledge and experience with writers who are working on scripts for young audiences
• How to broaden your international network

You’re a writer with a children's feature or series in development. If you want to improve your next draft in a supportive, international environment, apply for Cinekid Script LAB! Your project can be live-action, animation, or documentary.

• 12 to 15 writers
• First workshop week takes place during Cinekid Festival in Amsterdam in October
• Second workshop week takes place during the Berlinale in Berlin in February
• Coaching sessions, workshops, and training during the workshop weeks
• Attend events, screenings, and informal networking opportunities during Cinekid Festival and the Berlinale
• Interim online session with your coach between the two workshop weeks

Cinekid Script LAB takes place from October to March 2026-2027

Please e-mail any questions to professionals@cinekid.nl

You can submit your entry for Cinekid Script LAB from March till May 2026. 

Please include at least the following information in your application:

• Project details and specifications
• A treatment
• Brief description of all characters
• Your motivation to join the programme and what you hope to gain by participating
• An artistic statement describing the vision for your film
• A link to previously directed work

There are two routes to participate in Cinekid Script LAB. The main one is nomination by one of our international partners (see list below), who will cover the full costs of your participation. You can also submit your project through an open call, in which case you must cover the costs of participation.

Cinekid also offers scholarships to participants from low-capacity countries in Europe, as defined by the European Commission. If you’d like more information, please e-mail professionals@cinekid.nl.

Cinekid organises the Cinekid Script LAB with the Athens International Children’s Film Festival (GR), Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds (BE), Icelandic Film Centre (IC), Nederlands Filmfonds (NL), Norwegian Film Institute (NO), and Swedish Film Institute (SE).