Script LAB 2022-2023 selection announced!

Cinekid is proud to present the 14 new projects selected for the upcoming Cinekid Script LAB, the project-driven workshop for the development of screenplays for children’s films and series. In total, 19 writers from 11 countries will participate in the LAB’s 9th edition which spans six months and includes residencies at Cinekid for Professionals (Amsterdam, October 2022) and the Berlinale (Berlin, February 2023).

As of this year, Cinekid Script LAB has augmented its brief to present series designed for young audiences. The following three series will be developed: Exit Tales written by Mariana Cadenas from Belgium; The School-camp, written by Norwegian Helena Nielsen, and Los Peludos, written by Izabella Faya from Brazil.

These are presented alongside eleven feature film projects written by new and established makers alike.

The overall selection includes four animation projects (incl. one animated documentary series) and ten live-action projects.

Furthermore, Cinekid is delighted to announce a new partnership with Athens International Children’s Film Festival. Zacharias Mavroeidis’s project Nine Lives Left is selected via this new initiative. The festival also welcomes projects from countries that are new to the LAB, namely Italy, Spain, and Brazil. The increased geographical reach that these countries offer underlines the importance of the LAB and of telling vital and urgent stories for young audiences.

Heleen Rouw (Director Cinekid) comments: “We are excited to announce this diverse line-up of selected projects for the upcoming edition of Cinekid Script LAB, as it consists of new talents, established makers, innovative projects and urgent stories. It is wonderful to see the collective endeavour to create strong films and series for children, and we are thankful to all applicants for sharing their stories with us. We can’t wait to start working with this fantastic group of writers and writer-directors to help them improve their projects for young audiences.”

About Cinekid Script LAB

During Cinekid Script LAB participants work with internationally acclaimed advisors who push them to their creative limits. The coaching offered to each filmmaker is tailor-made and addresses the needs of both the writer and the story during the LAB’s twin-phased trajectory. Teambuilding and the interpersonal exchange of ideas and experiences within a safe and nurturing environment are the foundation stones of Cinekid Script LAB. 

Cinekid Script LAB is funded by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme, and is organised with the support of the Athens International Children’s Film Festival, Finnish Film Foundation, Flanders Audiovisual Fund, Icelandic Film Centre, Netherlands Film Fund, Norwegian Film Institute, Polish Film Institute and Swedish Film Institute.

More information on Cinekid Script LAB can be found on our website.

Full list of participating projects and writers

Best Imaginary Friends Forever (film / live-action)
Participating writer: Saša Eržen
Produced by: December (Slovenia)

Over the Walls (film / live action)
Participating writer: Emil Płoszajski
Produced by: TFP TV & Film Production (Poland)
Nominated by: Polish Film Institute

Exit Tales (series / animated documentary)
Participating writer: Mariana Cadenas
Pilot produced by: Storyhouse (Belgium)
Nominated by: Flanders Audiovisual Fund

Gorgius (film / live-action)
Participating writers: Samuele Rossi, Tommaso Santi
Produced by: Solaria Film (Italy), co-produced by: Arsmedia (Slovenia)

Heart Beats (film / live-action)
Participating writer: Johanna Lietha
Produced by: berg hammer film (Austria)

Los Peludos (series / animation)
Participating writer: Izabella Faya
Produced by: 3 Tabela Filmes (Brazil)

Me, a Monster? - Mission Planet Earth (film / animation)
Participating writer: Belinda Bonan De Vries
Produced by: Most Wanted Studio, SL (Spain)

Molly & Alpha (film / live-action)
Participating writer: Aliki Tsakoumi
Produced by: Faliro House (Sweden, Greece)
Nominated by the Swedish Film Institute

Nine Lives Left (film / animation)
Participating writer: Zacharias Mavroeidis
Produced by: Wild at Heart (Greece)
Nominated by: Athens International Children’s Film Festival

Rainbow in Hell (film / animation)
Participating writers Tessa Moult-Milewska, Thomas Forwood
Produced by: Animoon (Poland)

Something in the Wind (film / live-action
Participating writers: Bert Lesaffer, Nelson Polfliet
Produced by: Animal Tank (Belgium)

The School Camp (series / live-action)
Participating writer: Helena J. Nielsen
Produced by: Monster Scripted AS (Norway)
Nominated by: Norwegian Film Institute

Warrior's Heart (film / live-action)
Participating writers: Marianne Ulrichsen, Eva Keuris
Produced by: Freedom from Fear A/S (Norway)

WeeWee (working title) film / live-action)
Participating writers: Jacqueline Epskamp, Iván López Núñez
Produced by: Umami Media (The Netherlands)
Nominated by: Netherlands Film Fund

The still shown above is from the film Strijder, which was part of the Cinekid Script LAB 2019-2020 and Directors LAB 2021 selections and showing in Dutch film theaters from 20 July 2022.