In the comprehensive programme of events that await you, we have selected for you those that you should not miss.
Sala Suite
Services Centre - Wing D
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Panel
Jeff Kinney, author; Davide Calì, comics artist.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Abrams Books
The Illustrators Survival Corner - Masterclass Area
HALL 30
In 1975 Altan published the first story featuring his famous red-dotted dog: 50 years later, cartoonists come together to celebrate the birthday of one of the most beloved Italian comics characters.
Moderator
Emilio Varrà, Hamelin
Panel
Altan, cartoonist; Maicol & Mirco, cartoonist; Noemi Vola, cartoonist and illustrator; Sergio Ruzzier, illustrator.
Organized by
Hamelin
In cooperation with
Franco Cosimo Panini Editore
In the framework of
Comics Corner
HALL 30
HALL 30, B46-C33
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair/BolognaFiere, China South Publishing & MediaGroup, Sìdee Cultural Communication
In cooperation with
China Publishers
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Panel
Michelle Perez Barruos, General Manager, Feenix Group, Madrid.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Thierry Baujard, Co-Founder, Spielfabrique, Germany
Panel
Per Rosendal, Digital Media Producer, Savannah, Denmark; Jean Gobert de Coster, CEO and Founder, Belgium.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In cooperation with
Spielfabrique
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Roberta Franceschetti, Co-Founder, Mamamò
Panel
Liviu Bărbulescu, Graphic Designer, DCB – Rumänische Diaspora Initiative e.V.; Pamela Izebel Garduño Cruz, Innovation Hub Manager, Santillana; Laura Henderson, Head of Program, Frontiers for Young Minds; Woo Hyun-ok, DreamingKite Corp. (BookGorae); Stéphanie Simonin, Sales and Marketing Director, Bayard Jeunesse; Jessica Tarrant, Content Director, Yoto.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Mamamò
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO, Products of Change, UK
Panel
Joachim Knödler, Head of Licensing, Studio 100 International, Germany; Helga Árnadóttir, Co-Founder and CEO, Tulipop, Iceland; Valerio Costabile, Vice President Brand Collaborations, Smiley Company, UK.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In cooperation with
Products of Change
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Panel
Elena Pasoli, Director, Bologna Children's Book Fair; Sara Wang, CEO, Sìdee Cultural Communication; Ao Ran, Deputy Executive Director, China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association (China); Cathy Olmedillas, Founder and creative director of Studio Anorak, publisher of the magazines Happy Mags for Kids Anorak Magazine, DOT and the new CHEW (Spain); Li Jianping, Dean of the School of Animation at the Beijing Film Academy, Vice-Director of the Committee for the Teaching of Animation and Digital Media at the Ministry of Education, Secretary General of the Animation Art Committee of the Chinese Artists Association and Vice-President of the China Children’s Film Association (China); Long Niannan, Senior art teacher at the China National Children’s Center, expert in art education for children and painter (China); Marcella Terrusi, Researcher and lecturer in the field of childhood culture, history of children’s literature and international children’s publishing, University of Bologna (Italy); Mireia Trius, Co-founder, Zahorí Books (Spain); Tan Fengxia, Professor of children’s literature, School of Literature at Nanjing Normal University (China).
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair, China South Publishing & MediaGroup, Sìdee Cultural Communication
In cooperation with
China Publishers
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Panel
Andre Breedt, Managing Director, Nielsen BookData.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
The Next Chapter Café
HALL 29
Children’s books capture the imagination, educate, and the can inspire communities to think and act in support of the SDGs. This session will look at the influence SDG book club has on raising awareness and the importance of adding new languages to drive local change and actions. Panelists will discuss how can books compel future generations of leaders to achieve sustainability and lasting change.
Moderator
Antje Watermann, Global SDG Book Club
Panel
Mercedes Alvarado, Mexican SDG Book Club, José Borghino, Secretary General, IPA - International Publishers Association; Kristina Kramer, German SDG Book Club; Karine Pansa, Brazilian SDG Book Club.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
United Nations Publications, IPA - International Publishers Association
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
In today's entertainment landscape, the interaction among books, toys, and licensing has never been more dynamic. As streaming platforms propel characters to global stardom and nostalgia-driven brands make powerful comebacks, the opportunities—and challenges—for publishers, toy companies, and licensors are rapidly evolving. This panel brings together industry experts to explore the creative and commercial forces shaping the future of licensed products. How do book franchises successfully extend into the playroom? What role does sustainability play in the next generation of licensed goods? And how can licensors balance brand integrity with market demands? Don't miss this chance to gain insights, network with industry leaders, and discover what's next at the intersection of storytelling and play.
Moderator
Astrid Specht, Editor in Chief, TOYS & 1st Steps magazine, Germany
Panel
Gaby Dior, Head of EMEA Licensing, BBC Studios, UK; Kirstin Kreppel, Head of Entertainment & Licensing, KOSMOS, Germany.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In cooperation with
TOYS
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
The Book Lovers' Café
GALLERY HALL 25-26
Moderator
Francesca Mignemi, Children Literature independent researcher.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Stefan Boonen, writer
Panel
Ilmar Tomusk, writer; Anti Saar, writer; Charalambos Demetriou, reading promoter, teacher, IBBY Member of the Board in Cyprus.
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Jacks Thomas, Guest Director, BolognaBookPlus
Panel
Joanna Reynolds, CEO, The Folio Society; Nadim Sadek, Founder and CEO, Shimmr AI; Victoria Sutherland, Founder and Publisher, Foreword Magazine.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
The Illustrators Survival Corner - Masterclass Area
HALL 30
Panel
Arabelle Liepold, Executive Director, Society of Illustrators; Steve Compton, Director of Exhibitions & Collections, Society of Illustrators; Clare Pernice, Children’s Programs Consultant, Society of Illustrators; Laurent Linn, The Original Art Artistic Advisor, past OA Jury Chair; Beatrice Alemagna, award winning author and illustrator, Original Art Gold Medalist 2024; Sergio Ruzzier, award winning author and illustrator, multi-in show illustrator, past OA juror; Ed Vere, award winning authora and illustrator, multi-in show illustrator.
Organized by
Society of Illustrators
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Panel
Sylvia Vardell, President, IBBY; Carolina Ballester, Executive Director, IBBY; Valerie Coghlan, President Bookbird Inc.; Yukiko Hiromatsu, JBBY Board Member; Elisabetta Lippolis, IBBY Italy Vice President and 2024 IBBY World Congress Chair; Junko Yokota, JBBY Reading Promotion Award Jury President; Liz Page, 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award Jury President.
Organized by
IBBY - International Board on Books for Young People
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Patrizia Zerbi, publisher and Editorial Director, Carthusia Edizioni
Panel
Patrizia Zerbi, publisher and Editorial Director, Carthusia Edizioni; Elena Pasoli, Director, Bologna Children's Book Fair; Walter Fochesato, President of the Jury and expert in the history of children's literature; Emanuela Bussolati, illustrator; Eros Miari, consultant, Turin Book Fair; Chiara Bidoli, Editor-in-Chief, Corriere della Sera; Sara Wang, CEO, Niu Niu Culture Limited; Sonja Riva, journalist, Swiss radio and television; Lorena De Vita, Head of the Culture sector, BPER Banca.
Organized by
Carthusia Edizioni
In cooperation with
Bologna Children's Book Fair, Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino, Comune di Mulazzo
With the support of
BPER Banca
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
The Book Lovers' Café
GALLERY HALL 25-26
Moderator
Marcella Terrusi, Professor, University of Bologna.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Panel
Olivia Deane, Research Manager, Ampere Analysis, UK
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
Under the auspices of
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, Publishing Perspectives
Panel
Rachel Martin, Global Director Sustainability, Elsevier; Leonardo Aldegheri, President, Grafiche AZ; Anne Bergman Tahon, Director, Federation of European Publishers; Helena Mansell-Stopher, Founder and CEO, Products of Change; Iroo Joo, Korean Publishers Association; Gvantsa Jobava, International Publishers Association; Nicolas Roche, BIEF - Bureau international de l'Edition francaise.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair, BolognaBookPlus
In cooperation with
United Nations Publications
The Illustrators Survival Corner - Masterclass Area
HALL 30
Panel
Chris Haughton, designer, illustrator and children's book author, juror Illustrators Exhibition 2025.
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In the framework of
Under the auspices of
The Content Café
HALL 30
Panel
Kiyoko Matsuoka, Director, Itabashi Art Museum; Masahiro Kakinokihara, Art Director; Ayami Moriizumi, researcher.
Organized by
Itabashi Art Museum and the City of Itabashi, Tokyo
Estonian GoH Area
Services Centre
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
The Content Café
HALL 30
Panel
Francesco Testa, autore e illustratore; Pino Boero, autore ed esperto di letteratura per l'infanzia; Emanuela Bussolati, autrice; Orietta Fatucci, Edizioni EL; Walter Fochesato, studioso di letteratura per l’infanzia e storia dell’illustrazione, Vicedirettore del mensile Andersen; Carlo Gallucci, Gallucci Editore; Giusi Quarenghi, autrice; Annita Romanelli, Responsabile Unità Organizzativa Produzione Cartoni e Serie TV, Rai Kids; Elena Toselli, Direttrice di produzione, Rai Fiction; Sara Wang, CEO, Sìdee Cultural Communication.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair, Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In cooperation with
Hamelin
In the framework of
Comics Corner
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Samantha Loveday, Group Editor, Max Publishing, UK
Panel
David Sprei, Commercial Director, Penguin Ventures, UK.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Nadim Sadek, Founder and CEO, Shimmr AI
Panel
Nancy Traversy, Barefoot Books; Tom Benjamin, author; Kelly Garner, Treefort Media.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Tuulike Kivestu, illustrator, journalist
Panel
Triin Soone, Director, Estonian Children's Literature Centre; Dr. Katja Wiebe, editor for Eastern European Children's and Youth Literature; Justinas Vancevičius, Head of Literature Promotion Program "Vaikų žemė (Children's World)", Founder of Creator Island.
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Searsha Sadek, Shimmr AI
Panel
Gaurav Sabharwal, Prakash Books; Raul Perez, Grupo Planeta; Sarah Arbuthnot, Supadu.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Kairi Look, writer
Panel
Llona Martson, Chief Editor, Täheke; Muriel Rathje, Chief Editor, Gecko; Petra Novikova, Communication Manager, Raketa.
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
The Book Lovers' Café
GALLERY HALL 25-26
Moderator
Marcella Terrusi, Professor, University of Bologna.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Panel
Gaurav Sabharwal, CEO, Prakash Books; Raúl Pérez, Head of Digital, Grupo Planeta; Sarah Arbuthnot, Chief Commercial Officer, Supadu; Tom Benjamin, author.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Panel
Furio Camillo, Scientific Director, Webboh-LAB, Italy
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
Under the auspices of
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Edward Nawotka, Senior Editor, Publishers Weekly.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Tuulike Kivestu, illustrator, journalist
Panel
Regina Lukk Toompere, illustrator; Davide Calì, writer; Valentina Mai, publisher, Kite Edizioni; Takako Totsuka-Mizuno, Green Seed Book.
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
The Content Café
HALL 30
Remember when publishers started producing wonderful, reassuring, empowering, self-esteem-building books for girls? Today, professional sociological research shows that young men need that very same support from the book industry. Many younger boys are testing almost a grade level behind girls in English and arts studies. And many young men are struggling to finish school, earn college degrees, and become the supportive, loving fathers and husbands we know they can be. Much of this comes down to self-esteem and the need to signal that masculinity does not have to be "toxic." The publishing world can help male readers with books that offer healthy career options, loving and compassionate relationships, and the means to grow into great friends, lovers, spouses, and fathers. In this special session, expert speakers will be exploring the book industry's unique opportunity to help young men face their crises, just as it has faithfully done for girls.
Moderator
Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, Publishing Perspectives
Panel
Francesca Cavallo, author of Stellar Stories for Boys of the Future and Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls; Michiel Kolman, Senior Vice President at Elsevier and Chair of the Inclusive Publishing and Literacy Committee at the International Publishers Association (IPA); Maria Russo, Editor at Large, Union Square Kids; Jonathan Simcosky, Quarto Books, New York, Editor of Yes, Boys Can! Inspiring Stories of Men Who Changed the World.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
With the support of
ITA-Italian Trade Agency and MAECI-Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Panel
Antonella Ceraso, Consumer Products Director, DeAPlaneta Entertainment, Spain; Gianluca Ferrara, Head of Italy and International Head of Toys, DeAPlaneta Entertainment, Italy.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
Under the auspices of
The Illustrators Survival Corner - Masterclass Area
HALL 30
Panel
Serge Bloch, illustrator; Anselmo Roveda, journalist and writer.
Organized by
Edizioni Clichy
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Daan Beeke, Network Manager, EURead
Panel
Rian Visser, author, Dutch Children’s Laureate, Writers for the Future; Elaina Ryan, CEO, Children's Books Ireland.
Organized by
The Ukrainian Book Institute, EURead
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Panel
Roleff Kråkström, Managing Director, Moomin Characters Ltd, and CEO and Founding Partner, Rights & Brands, Finland.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In cooperation with
Products of Change
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Panel
Åsa Bergman, Head of Office, ALMA; Kajsa Ravin, Director General, Swedish Arts Council; Jan Björklund, Ambassador of Sweden to Italy; Katarina Eriksson Barajas, Jury member, ALMA; Per Gustafsson, Jury member, ALMA; Mårten Sandén, Jury member, ALMA.
Organized by
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Panel
Tom Benjamin, author; Natasha Poliszczuk, Content Director, BookBrunch.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Estonian GoH Area
Services Centre
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Bruno Molinero, journalist, editor, Folha de S. Paulo, Brazil
Panel
Bebel Abreu, publisher, Bebel Books, Brazil; Javier Hildebrandt, publisher, Hotel de las ideas, Argentina; Juan Pablo Fajardo, Founder, Piedra Tijera Papel, Colombia.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Hamelin
In the framework of
Comics Corner
The Next Chapter Café
HALL 29
Moderator
Inger Klesment, media literacy specialist
Panel
Janari Lage, digital literacy expert; Nathan Hull, Chief of Strategy Officer, Beat Technology; Triin Sooäär, Gen Z.
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Nicola Gardini, scrittore
Panel
Elena Pasoli, Jan Björklund, Johan Palmberg, Beatrice Alemagna, Pierdomenico Baccalario, Alice Bigli, Moa Brunnberg, Laura Cangemi, Kitty Crowther, Donatella Di Pietrantonio, Martina Forti, Nicola Galli Laforest, Grazia Gotti, Vivian Lamarque, Emilia Lodigiani, Isol, Leonard Marcus, Mariagrazia Mazzitelli, Samanta K. Milton Knowles, Bart Moeyaert, Barbara Schiaffino, Marcella Terrusi, Simona Vinci.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Salani Editore
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Panel
Adam Rumanek, Founder and CEO, Aux Mode, Canada
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Lawrence Schimel, author, translator
Panel
Ani Rosa Almario, Vice President, Adarna House and Co-Founder, Director, The Raya School; Susanna Barsotti, Professor of Children's Literature, University of Roma Tre; Chiara Gregori, gynaecologist-sexologist, author; Marie-Aude Murail, author; Edward van de Vendel, author, publisher, Uitgeverij Blauw Gras.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
United Nations Publications
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Ilaria Tontardini, Hamelin
Panel
Paul Cox, author, illustrator, graphic designer.
Organized by
Hamelin
In cooperation with
Bologna Children's Book Fair, éditions MeMo, Topipittori, Institut Français Italia
With the support of
Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna
In the framework of
BOOM! Crescere nei libri
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Panel
Claudia Lucarella, Head of Publishing EMEA, Mattel, Italy; Eleonora Schiavoni, Head of Consumer Products Italy, Spain & Portugal, Mattel, Italy.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
The Illustrators Survival Corner - Masterclass Area
HALL 30
Moderator
Walter Fochesato, scholar of children's literature and the history of illustration, juror Illustrators Exhibition 2025
Panel
Beatrice Alemagna, author and illustrator; Giovanna Zoboli, writer and publisher, Topipittori
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In cooperation with
Spielfabrique
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Panel
Joanna Karpowicz, painter, illustrator and comics artist; Steven Guarnaccia, illustrator and designer.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Panel
Henrique Moreira, illustrator.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Fundación SM
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
In 1989, world leaders made a historic commitment to children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child—the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. While this agreement has helped improve the lives of millions, many children around the world are still denied their fundamental rights. To highlight the importance of protecting and promoting these rights, Bologna Children’s Book Fair hosts - in collaboration with the United Nations - a multilingual reading of the Convention, featuring 42 distinguished authors, illustrators, and publishers from across the globe. Each participant will read one of the 42 articles of the Convention in their native language, creating a powerful, collective voice for children’s rights.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
United Nations Publications, 42 friends of the children's book community
The Book Lovers' Café
GALLERY HALL 25-26
Panel
Elena Fierli, Scosse; Susanna Mattiangeli, scrittrice; Silvana Sola, ISIA Urbino e Cooperativa Culturale Giannino Stoppani.
Organized by
Settenove
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Elisabetta Mongardi, Hamelin
Panel
Daniel Pellegrino, publisher, Atrabile, Switzerland; Sergi Puyol, publisher, Apa Apa Cómics, Spain; Dirk Rehm, publisher, Reprodukt, Germany; Tucker Stone, Executive Director of Communications & Marketing, Fantagraphics Books, USA.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Hamelin
In the framework of
Comics Corner
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Searsha Sadek, Founder and Chief Product Officer, Shimmr AI
Panel
Nadim Sadek, Founder and CEO, Shimmr AI.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Anne Pikkov, Vice-Rector of the Estonian Academy of Arts and Executive Board Member of Cumulus
Panel
Greta Alice, illustrator, Lithuania; Lucia Carlini, illustrator, Italy; Pamela Samel, illustrator, Estonia.
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
The Next Chapter Café
HALL 29
Moderator
Tanja Skale, editor of Stripburger and Co-Founder and Art Director of the Tinta International Comics Festival, Slovenia
Panel
Veiko Tammjarv, editor, Kratt Werk, Estonia; Lina Itagaki, author, editor, Misteris Pinkmanas, Lithuania; Paweł Timofiejuk, editor, Timof Comics, Poland.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Hamelin
In the framework of
Comics Corner
Sala Concerto
Services Centre - Wing D
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
In cooperation with
Argentovivo
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Panel
Chantal Restivo-Alessi, Chief Digital Officer, HarperCollins.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
BCBF hosts every other year the winners of two prestigious children's book awards in the arts, the BIB - Biennial of Illustration Bratislava and the Hans Christian Andersen Award, to create the Illustrators Annual cover: the catalogue collecting all the works of the artists selected for the Illustrators Exhibition. The 2025 Illustrators Annual cover has been created by Sydney Smith, Canada, winner dell’H. C. Andersen Award 2024.
Panel
Sydney Smith, illustrator, Canada; Marcella Terrusi, Professor, University of Bologna.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Neva Micheva, translator and journalist
Panel
Giorgia Spadoni, translator; Gergana Pancheva, translator.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Ayami Moriizumi, researcher
Panel
Kiyoko Matsuoka, Director, Itabashi Art Museum; Steven Guarnaccia, illustrator; Ai Komagata, One Stroke; Francesco Saviola, Mutty; Antonella Dalla Rosa, La Baracca - Testoni.
Organized by
Itabashi Art Museum, One Stroke
In cooperation with
Bologna Children's Book Fair
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Panel
Megi Bulla, Content Creator, Art Director e autrice, Italia; Roberta Ferrari, Responsabile Editoriale Rizzoli e Fabbri Ragazzi, Gruppo Mondadori, Italia.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Marcella Terrusi, Professor, University of Bologna
Panel
Walter Fochesato, scholar of children's literature and the history of illustration, Deputy Director of Andersen magazine; Chris Haughton, illustrator, author, Ireland; Neal Porter, publisher, Neal Porter Books, Imprint Holiday House, USA; Felicita Sala, illustrator, Italia; Gema Sirvent, Founder, Editorial Libre Albedrío.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Nerrilee Weir, Director, Bold Type Agency
Panel
Agnieszka Rasińska-Bóbr, Deputy Director, Polish Book Institute; Ilvi Liive- Roosipuu, Director, Estonian Literature Centre.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
In cooperation with
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
Sala Bolero
Services Centre - Wing B
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Elettra Stamboulis, curator, writer, Italy
Panel
Lucia Baldassarri, author, Italy; Claudio Calia, comics artist, Italy; Igort, comics artist, Italy; Sualzo, comics artist, Italy.
Organized by
Bologna Children’s Book Fair
In cooperation with
Hamelin
In the framework of
Comics Corner
The Next Chapter Café
HALL 29
Moderator
Alizée Dabert, Export Manager, Rights Manager, Helvetiq.
Panel
Anita Lehmann, writer; Jean Baptiste Aubin, scientist; Joonas Sildre, illustrator.
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Nerrilee Weir, Director, Bold Type Agency
Panel
Anna Nowacka-Devillard, Member of the Board, Polish Chamber of Books, Co-owner of Widnokrąg Publishing House; Kadri Rahusaar, Managing editor and Member of the Board, Koolibri Publishers, Member of the Board, Estonian Publishers’ Association.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
In cooperation with
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
The Illustrators Survival Corner - Masterclass Area
HALL 30
Panel
Sydney Smith, illsutrator
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Maria Russo, Editor at Large, Union Square Kids
Panel
Amélie Fléchais, cartoonist, illustrator, France; Jonathan Garnier, writer, illustrator, France; Marta Tutone, Founder, editor, Liana Editorial, Spain; Francesca Martucci, editor, Diabolo Edizioni, Italy.
Organized by
Bologna Children’s Book Fair
In cooperation with
Hamelin
With the support of
Tunué
In the framework of
Comics Corner
The Next Chapter Café
HALL 29
Moderator
Dolores Prades, Founder, Director, editor, Istituto Emília, Brazil
Panel
Carolina Ballester, Executive Director, IBBY; Daniel Munduruku, author, Brazil; Elisa Ramirez Castañeda, author, sociologist, translator, Mexico; Ed Oner, illustrator, street artist, Morocco; Jöelle Betsey Maestracci, publisher, Editions Vizavi, Editions Pielo, Mauritius; Marit Alette Utsi, Deputy Director of Davvi Girji and Chair of the Board of Sálas - Sami newspaper and publishers association, Norway.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
United Nations Publications, Instituto Emilia
With the support of
ITA-Italian Trade Agency and MAECI-Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Panel
Jacks Thomas, Guest Director, BolognaBookPlus; Nathan Hull, Chief Strategy Officer, Beat Technology; Kelly Garner, Founder and CEO, Treefort FM.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Estonian GoH Area
Services Centre
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Ilaria Tontardini, Hamelin
Panel
Leonard Marcus, children's book historian, critic, author.
Organized by
Mondadori
In cooperation with
Hamelin, Bologna Children's Book Fair
The Next Chapter Café
HALL 29
Moderator
Jaanika Palm, researcher, Estonian Children's Literature Centre.
Panel
Reeli Reinaus, Young Adults writer, folklorist; Marja-Liisa Plats, ALMA Award nominee, illustrator; Anna Nowacka-Devillard, publisher, Wydawnictwo Widnokrąg.
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Panel
Lance Fitzgerald, Senior VP, Content and Business Development, PRH US.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief, Licensing Magazine
Panel
Federica Pasini, Funzionario e Referente CNA Professionisti e CNA Cinema e Audiovisivo e Responsabile progetto Ciak Reloaded, CNA Emilia-Romagna; Fabio Abagnato, Responsabile Cinema, Film Commission e Sviluppo del Settore Audiovisivo, Regione Emilia-Romagna; Marianna Panebarco, CEO e Produttore, Studio Panebarco, Italia; Simona Cornacchia, animator e storyboard artist, Italia; Anna Russo, regista e sceneggiatrice, Italia.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Marcella Terrusi, Professor, University of Bologna
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Fondazione Bellonci
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Emma House, Founder, Oreham Group
Panel
Colin Hauer, CEO, Hörbuch Hamburg; Sonia Draga, CEO, Draga; Heather Alexander, Audible.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Olympe Challot, Project Manager and Community Manager, Spielfabrique, Germany
Panel
Gordon Vogel, Founder, Rivers and Wine Studios, Germany; Aksel Køie, Founder and CEO, PIBOCO, Denmark.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In cooperation with
Spielfabrique
In the framework of
International Kids Licensing Days
The Illustrators Survival Corner - Masterclass Area
HALL 30
Panel
Harriet Birkinshaw, Chief Editor, Post Wave Berlin Studio; Marc Majewski, Art Director, Post Wave Berlin Studio.
Organized by
Post Wave Berlin Studio
The Content Café
HALL 30
Panel
Grazia Gotti, Accademia Drosselmeier; Henrique Moreira, illustrator, winner of the International Award of Illustration BCBF - Fundación SM 2024.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Accademia Drosselmeier, Kids Comics, Rete Bibliotecaria Bergamasca
In the framework of
Comics Corner
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Jon Watt, Head of Commercial and Audio, Bonnier Books
Panel
Laure Sageet, MD Audiolib, Hachette; Ani Atamian, Founder, LEM; Hugo Rayne, General Manager Europe, Eleven Labs.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Licensing Conference Room
HALL 29 MALL 2
Moderator
Elisa Salamini, autrice, formatrice e Co-founder, Mamamò, Italia
Panel
Valentina Mazzola, Docente, autrice, sceneggiatrice e script editor, Italia; Cristiana Buzzelli, COO, Movimenti Production, Italia; Paola Francesca Corsini, Licensing e Dramatic Rights Specialist, Editrice Il Castoro, Italia.
Organized by
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
In cooperation with
Mamamò
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Panel
Mariana Feged, GM Spanish Markets, France & EMEA Bookwire.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
BolognaBookPlus Theatre
HALL 29 MALL 1
Moderator
Nathan Hull, Chief Strategy Officer, Beat Technnology
Panel
Clara Ferrari, Chief Content Officer, YouScribe; Miriam Spinnato, Commercial Director, Mondadori; Fabio Uehara, AYA Books.
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Moderator
Hamelin
Panel
Susie Morgernstern, writer; Beatrice Masini, writer; Sylvie Vassallo and Nathalie Donikian, Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse en Seine-Saint-Denis.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Hamelin
With the support of
Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse en Seine-Saint-Denis, Institut Français Italia, ITA-Italian Trade Agency and MAECI-Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
The Next Chapter Café
HALL 29
Panel
Maria Russo, Editor at Large, Union Square Kids; Neal Porter, Publisher, Neal Porter Books, Imprint Holiday House.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
With the support of
ITA-Italian Trade Agency and MAECI-Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Illustrators Café
Services Centre
Panel
Heena Baek, author and illustrator.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Terre di mezzo Editore
Sala Concerto
Services Centre - Wing D
Organized by
BolognaBookPlus
In cooperation with
Argentovivo
The Content Café
HALL 30
Moderator
Ilaria Del Gaudio, Professor of Art Pedagogy and Didactics, Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna, Italy
Panel
Giovanni Ferrara, Editorial Director, Coconino Press - Fandango, Italy; Joëlle Jolivet, cartoonist and illustrator, France; Sylvie Vassallo, Director, Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse en Seine-Saint-Denis, France; Noemi Vola, comics artist and illustrator, Italy.
Organized by
Bologna Children's Book Fair
In cooperation with
Hamelin
In the framework of
Comics Corner
Estonian GoH Area
Services Centre
Organized by
Estonia Guest of Honour 2025
In cooperation with
IBBY Estonia
Sala Concerto
Services Centre - Wing D
Organized by
IBBY Europe - International Board on Books for Young People
In cooperation with
Bologna Children's Book Fair
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