The Bologna Licensing Awards’ shortlist of finalists, which includes international licensors/agencies, licensees and retailers, has been announced. The 7th edition of the awards is part of the 17th Bologna Licensing Fair/Kids (8-11 April), the only show dedicated to children’s and young adult brands, at the heart of the 61st Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

The finalists in the Bologna Licensing Awards for international licensors/agencies, licensees, and retailers have been announced. The awards, now in their seventh year, are an essential component of the 17th Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/K), the only fair dedicated to children’s and young adult brands, which will be held from April 8 to 11 in the heart of the 61st Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF).

This year’s Awards have 13 categories, including the newest ones Best Sustainable Licensing Project and Best New Licensing Stars 2023, and attracted no less than 182 applications, from various European countries (among others Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Scandinavia) as well as other regions of the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Colombia, and China.

Five prestigious jurors met in Bologna’s magnificent Salaborsa library to select the finalists: Philippe Guinaudeau (founder of The BrandTrends Group, France); Ian Hyder (CEO Max Publishing, UK); Helena Mansell-Stopher (founder of Products of Change, UK); Cristiana Paesani (art and fashion expert, Italy); Astrid Specht (editor of TOYS and 1st Steps, Germany).

The shortlist, which includes three finalists in each category, is as follows:

BEST PRE-SCHOOL LICENSING PROJECT

The three finalists in the best pre-school project category (0-6 years) are:

– Acamar Films with the book Growing up… it’s a Bing thing! By Pon Pon Edizioni;

– Andersen Press for the Elmer The Patchwork Elephant licensing program;

– Universal Products & Experiences in partnership with Spin Master for the Gabby’s Dollshouse project.

BEST KIDS LICENSING PROJECT

Here are the finalists for the best kids (6-10 years) licensing projects:

– TutoToons for the mobile game LOL Surprise! OMG Fashion Club together with MGA Entertainment;

– Beijing Everafter Culture Development for The Kingdom of Our Feelings gift box, with Wydawnictwo DWIE SIOSTRY;

– The Pokémon Company International for the Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum project with the Van Gogh Museum.

BEST TEEN LICENSING PROJECT

In the category dedicated to the best Teen target group (11-16 years) licensing project we have:

– The Pokémon Company International with the project Clarks x Pokémon in synergy with Clarks;

– Sanrio with Hello Kitty & Bad Badtz-Marut fashion project, in partnership with Alcott;

– Rai Com for the Mare Fuori (The Sea Beyond) licensing program, in partnership with various partners.

BEST YOUNG ADULT LICENSING PROJECT

In the category dedicated to the best Young Adult target group (+18 years) you will find:

– Sanrio for the Chloè x My Melody fashion project in sinergy with Chloè;

– Maurizio Di Stefano Licensing for the Baileys x Caffè Borbone project;

– Rai Com for the Mare Fuori (The Sea Beyond) licensing program, in partnership with various partners.

BEST RETAIL PROJECT

For the Best Retail Project the finalists are:

– Universal Products & Experiences with the project Jurassic Park 30th anniversary (JP30) in synergy with Lego, Mattel e PRG;

– Sanrio for the TK Maxx, Homesense and Comic Relief x Mr. Men Little Miss project together with Homesense and TK Maxx;

– Mattel Europe with the Barbie x Zara project in collaboration with Zara.

BEST FASHION PROJECT

Here are the finalists for this beloved category:

– Studio 100 Media for the Heidi x Bavarian Caps collection with Bavarian Caps;

– ZAG and Mediawan Kids & Family with Riva Kids x Miraculous, in collaboration with Riva Kids;

– The Pokémon Company International and Dolly Noire for the Dolly Noire x Pokémon project.

BEST LICENSED PUBLISHING PROJECT

Here are the finalists for the category of best licensed publishing project, targeting children and teens:

– Faba with the book Paw Patrol – I cuccioli salvano la festa dell’amicizia, together with Paramount – Viacom;

– Andersen Press with the illustrated books Goodnight Elmer and Elmer, search and find numbers;

– Beijing Everafter Culture Development for The Kingdom of Our Feelings gift box, with Wydawnictwo DWIE SIOSTRY.

BEST LICENSED TOY PROJECT

This category debuted in the 2023 edition and hence confirmed for the second year. The finalists are:

– Sanrio for Mr. Men Little Miss x Monopoly by Winning Moves;

– Universal Products & Experiences in partnership with Spin Master for the playset Gabby’s Dollshouse;

– Faba for Hot Wheels: Dinosauri all’attacco, together with Mattel.

BEST PROMOTION/LOYALTY CAMPAIGN

An important piece of the licensing programme is the loyalty/promotion campaign. Here are the finalists for this category:

– Studio 100 Media with the Vegesaurs x Lidl campaign, in collaboration with Lidl;

– Nerd Agency with Foundland Pictures (FILM.UA Group) for the project Mavka. The Forest Song x Lviv Croissants, in collaboration with Lviv Croissants;

– Maurizio Di Stefano Licensing with Acamar Films for the Bing Junior Benegum project, by Perfetti Van Melle and Pea & Promoplast.

PROMOTION: BEST LICENSED KIOSK PRODUCT

The nominations in this category are:

– Mondadori Media with the Peanuts 3D collection, together with CPLG WildBrain and Peanuts Worldwide;

– Starbright Licensing for Dragon Ball – Diramix Monsterflex, with Toei Animation;

– Sanrio with the Hello Kitty Hand Bag collection, in partnership with Sbabam.

BEST LICENSED SUSTAINABLE PROJECT

The finalists for this brand-new category include:

– Studio 100 Media for the project Maya – License Factory in Natural Dye, in partnership with License Factory;

– Rights & Brands for the Moomin Baby Diapers by Delipap.

BEST LICENSING STARS 2023

The 2023 emerging licensing stars include:

– Maravillarte with the Tailored Stories project, in collaboration with Kreaktiva Lab;

– Nerd Agency (FILM.UA Group) for Mavka. The Forest song;

– Beijing Everafter Culture Development for The Kingdom of Our Feelings, in partnership with Wydawnictwo DWIE SIOSTRY.

BEST PROPERTY OF THE YEAR

The finalists of the Property of the Year 2023 are:

– Mattel with Barbie;

– The Pokémon Company International with Pokémon;

– ZAG and Mediawan Kids & Family with Miraculous.

The products of all the finalist projects will be on display throughout the fair at the BLTF/K Awards showcases located in the BLTF/K zone of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Hall 29 – Mall 2. The winners will be announced at the BLTF/K Awards Ceremony to be held in the Licensing Conference Room on 8 April at 4.30pm. Hall 29 – Mall 2. The event is open to all industry professionals.