A conference session in the 2024 edition of Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids programming. Image: BCBF
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
Three Days of Specialized Content
Much has been written here in recent days about the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids program, which—along with Jacks Thomas‘ Bologna Book Plus—is one of Elena Pasoli‘s major two brand extensions at the 2025 Bologna Children’s Book Fair (March 31 to April 3).
Today, we have some news of the licensing trade fair’s conference programming. And because of the fast approach of London Book Fair (March 11 to 13)—which will, of course, have a strong influence on world publishing’s coverage for the next week, we’ll send you to the spot online to get all the information you may need about the licensing programming planned for this year’s trade show.
The first three days of the Bologna run are called “International Kids Licensing Days,” and they’re divided for licensing specialists into a set of themes:
- March 31: Insights and Trends
- April 1: Licensing, Previews, and Celebrations
- April 2: From Books to Screens and Beyond
To look at each day’s offerings, go to this page and then select which of the three days you’re interested in. Note that a sequence of programming on any of these dates may run to seven hours or more, and the start and/or finish times may be somewhat different from day to day. You’ll want to be sure you have the right times for the date of a conference you want to see.
YouTube Strategies, Transmedia, and More
A conference session in the 2024 edition of Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids. Image: BCBF
And the programming is quite distinctive.
On Day One, for example, focused on book-to-screen issues, here is Dynowish: The Power of Dreams from Storytelling to Global Animated Franchise with Dynowish author Paola Myriam Visconti; Giunti Editore’s Beatrice Fini; Francesco Artibani, a screenwriter; and Luigi Aimè, an illustrator and concept designer.
More speakers during the week’s programming are:
- David Sprei, commercial director at Penguin Ventures
- Furio Camillo, scientific director at Webboh-LAB
- Adam Rumanek, the founding CEO of Aux Mode
- Helga Árnadóttir, co-founding CEO of Tulipop is speaking, as is Valerio Costabile, Smiley Company’s vice-president of brand collaborations
Keep in mind that Bologna and Frankfurter Buchmesse (October 15 to 19) in 2025 have opened a new coordinated effort in the area of games and gaming (video and otherwise) in the development potentials for book content through licensing. This shows up in some in some of the programming you’ll see lined up for the week.
And again, that page for full information on the licensing conferences and registration is here.
A conference session in the 2024 edition of Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids. Image: BCBF
See also:
Bologna Licensing Awards Name Their 2025 Shortlists
Rights Edition: Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s Evolving Rights Hubs
At Bologna: Record Entries for Its 2025 Illustrators Exhibition
Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s ‘Grand Tour’ Heads to Angoulême
At BCBF, Bologna Book Plus 2025 Announces an ‘AI Summit’
Italy in India: Bologna Children’s Book Fair Is Honored at Chennai
Guadalajara Book Fair Opens With New Bologna Prize
Bologna Book Plus 2025 Has Another ‘Audio Forum’ and ‘Ambassador’
More on Bologna Children’s Book Fair is here, more on children’s books is here, more on the Italian market is here, more on the world industry’s vast field of book and publishing awards is here, more on licensing is here, and more on world publishing’s trade shows and book fairs is here.
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