Cinekid Script LAB
This international programme gives talented writers a unique opportunity to develop their ideas with support from experienced international writers, producers, and other industry professionals. Whether you’re an emerging or established writer, Cinekid can help you improve your project and take your story to the next level, ready to inspire audiences.
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.
List of last this years participants and projects
Bats & Bugs (film / animation) 3+
Participating writer: Lena von Döhren
Produced by: Catpics (Switzerland)
Cringe (film / live action) 10+
Participating writer: Olga Ponjee
Produced by: Family Affair Films (Netherlands)
Nominated by: Netherlands Film Fund
EMBROIDERIES (for the end of the world?!) (film / animation) 8+
Participating writers: Georgia Zachari and Fokion Xenos
Produced by: Neda Film (Greece)
Nominated by: Athens International Children’s Film Festival
Finding Home (film / animation) 7+
Participating writer: Anja Mánou Hellem
Produced by: LØV Film (Norway)
A Heaven in a Wildflower (film / live action) 10+
Participating writer: Zhuang Rong-Zuo
Produced by: inJECT Films (Taiwan) and Midpoint Films
Hesitation Step (film / live action) 12+
Participating writer: Juri Krutii
Produced by: Wedia Productions (Estonia)
Nominated by: Estonian Film Institute
Kindlings (film / live action) 7+
Participating writer: Álfheiður Marta Kjartansdóttir
Produced by: NRDR and Sviðin skógur (Iceland)
Nominated by: Icelandic Film Centre
Lisa’s Ballet Battle (film / live action) 12+
Participating writer: Sarah Van Dale
Produced by: Movie Bank Productions (Belgium)
Nominated by: Flanders Audiovisual Fund
Morningbird and Murmelton on Adventour (film / live action and animation) 3+
Participating writer: Annette Saugestad Helland
Produced by: Mikrofilm (Norway)
Nominated by: Norwegian Film Institute
Mozart, Dead Fish And Blind Black Ducks (film / live action) 7+
Participating writers: Barbara Zemljič and Nik Škrlec
Produced by: Filmservis (Slovenia)
Nominated by: Slovenian Film Centre
Mum is in puberty (film / animation) 7+
Participating writer: Ami-Ro Sköld
Produced by: Onoma Productions (Sweden)
Co-produced by Family Affair Films (Netherlands), Indyca (Italy) and Morph Film (Denmark)
THE PASSED P4WN (film / live action) 12+
Participating writer: Alexandros Tsilifonis
Produced by: Central Athens Film Productions (Greece)
Co-produced by: Mera Mera Films, Sweetdoh Films (United Kingdom) and Dark Alley Pictures (Netherlands)
Zanzara (film / documentary) 12+
Participating writers: Lieza Röben and Liza Kemman
Produced by: BIND (Netherlands)
1 2 3 - Action! (film / live action) 7+
Participating writers: Anna Brodin and Victor Lindgren
Produced by: Lampray (Sweden)
Nominated by: Swedish Film Institute
What will you learn?
- 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
Who is it for?
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.
Programme info
- 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
When is it?
Cinekid Script LAB takes place from October to March 2026-2027
Please e-mail any questions to professionals@cinekid.nl
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.
Partners
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).