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Harvard to dig into kids and empathy for KSS keynote

We are excited to announce that Dr. Richard Weissbourd, Director of the Human Development and Psychology program at Harvard University, will open 2017’s biggest event for leaders in children’s entertainment with the presentation of an eye-opening research study exploring why and how we are unconsciously undermining the development of empathy and caring in today’s kids.

In the current socio-economic climate, where tolerance and understanding seem to be in short supply, it’s more important than ever to help kids develop these skills. So join us and find out how kids TV producers and media platforms can help children and parents learn to care for others—and also what kinds of messages and content strategies are important for counteracting the nastiness, scapegoating and incivility that seem to be pervading our culture right now. SIGN UP NOW to be in room when he does!

Full event program is now online!

Check out our complete conference program for Kidscreen Summit 2017. It’s chock-full of keynotes, presentations, panel discussions and workshops exploring new strategies & trends, innovative ideas and practical business solutions that will help drive your business forward next year.

Get into a Master or Mentor Class for just $250

Keen to pack more professional learning into your Kidscreen Summit week? Sign up to take part in one or two of our Master/Mentor Classes for just $250 each. Designed for the industry's most experienced execs (Master Classes) and also for relative newcomers (Mentor Classes), these sessions are 90 minutes long, running on Tuesday, February 14 and Wednesday, February 15 from 8:30am to 10:00am. Check out the topics we'll be covering! And if you like something you see, email Joel Pinto to sign up.

MENTOR CLASS—Tuesday, February 14 (8:30-10:00)

SOLD OUT! Negotiating 101

So, you've got your first deal. Now what? This session will provide an overview of what to look for in negotiating a production deal in the current kids TV landscape. Join industry and legal experts Douglas Barrett (BellMedia Professor of Media Management​, Schulich School of Business) and Hatty Reisman (founder and senior lawyer, Reisman Law Offices) as they consider various forms of programming (TV/digital/short form) and look at many types of deals that can be made and how to best protect your intellectual property.

MASTER CLASS—Tuesday, February 14 (8:30-10:00)

SOLD OUT! Fine-tuning character

Whether you're creating an animated or live-action series for broadcast or digital, if you can't communicate what your show is about in less than a sentence or two, chances are your concept needs work. More focused than a bible workshop or pitching clinic, this Master Class will help you move beyond the broad strokes of your high concept and into the nitty gritty of creating characters to drive your story. Experienced show creator Dave Skwarczek will help you dig deeper into the tools and techniques used to define strong characters and craft engaging springboards that bring them to life.

MENTOR CLASS—Wednesday, February 15 (8:30-10:00)

SOLD OUT! Structural engineering for storytellers

All good stories are as carefully constructed as a skyscraper, and this session will teach budding storytellers the basics of creating two- and three-act structures. Self-proclaimed "story structure engineers" Holly Huckins (Sheriff Callie's Wild West, Rugrats, Recess) and Carin Greenberg (Tumble Leaf, Lalaloopsy, Ghostwriter) will be your guides. They'll deconstruct an episode of a popular series to understand how it was built and why it succeeds, discuss the difference between story and character arcs, and examine the importance of conflict.

MASTER CLASS—Wednesday, February 15 (8:30-10:00)

SOLD OUT! The state of digital distribution

VOD, AVOD, TVOD, not to mention Netflix, Amazon and YouTube: There are now more ways than ever to slice licensing rights for digital platforms. How do you decide who gets what? When does it make sense to refuse a global VOD deal to pursue local ones? What platforms are ponying up the most cash? Distribution experts Richard Goldsmith (Cyber Group Studios US) and Josh Scherba (DHX Media) will cover those burning questions and much more.

Register Early & Save!

Sign up before December 23 to attend the year's biggest event in kids entertainment and you’ll save $100.

Kidscreen Summit 2017 dates announced

Mark your calendars now—next year's event is set to take place from February 13 to 16 at the InterContinental Miami again, and registration will open in early July.

Event achieves more growth in Miami this year!

Representing a 5% year-over-year increase in registrations, Kidscreen Summit 2016 brought together nearly 1,800 attendees in February for four days of intense business networking and professional learning.