Events by
In partnership with
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With the support of
Facts & Figures 2026 32,000+ Trade Visitors from 100+ countries and regions. 1,500+ Exhibitors from 95 countries and regions. 84% International Exhibitors. 600+ Events. 21 Artwork and book exhibitions. 13 International Awards.
WELCOME TO BOLOGNA WHERE STORIES, RIGHTS AND IDEAS TRAVEL THE WORLD
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very spring, the international publishing and content community gathers in Bologna, one of Europe’s most beautiful and welcoming historic cities, for a unique three-in-one event. The Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF), the world’s leading trade fair for children’s publishing, BolognaBookPlus (BBPlus), dedicated to general trade publishing, and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/Kids), focused on the licensing of brands and properties for children, teens and young adults, come together to create a global platform for publishing rights, licensing and transmedia. Here, stories travel. They cross languages and borders, move from books to screens, games, toys and other forms of storytelling, and find new audiences around the world. From 5–8 April 2027, publishers, agents, illustrators, authors, licensors, producers, developers and creative professionals from across the globe will meet in Bologna to exchange rights, discover new talent and content, explore emerging trends and build new partnerships. And the experience extends beyond the fairgrounds: Bologna itself becomes part of the event, with exhibitions, meetings and cultural initiatives throughout the city. The 2027 Guest of Honour, Poland, will showcase a vibrant programme of exhibitions and events throughout the fair – with homes in BCBF and BBPlus – and, of course, a presence across Bologna itself. The Bologna Book Fair is organised with the support and collaboration of ITA – Italian Trade Agency and MAECI – Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. GET IN TOUCH bookfair@bolognafiere.it bolognabookplus@bolognafiere.it licensing@bolognafiere.it
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THE TALES AND TAILORS OF CHILDREN’S CONTENT
Illustration Mariia Rizak Design chialab.it
WHERE STORIES GROW INTO GLOBAL IPS
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or over sixty years, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair has been the world’s leading professional event dedicated to children’s publishing, bringing together the global community of publishers, agents, authors, illustrators and all those involved in creating books and content for young audiences. At its heart is the exchange of publishing rights, but over the years BCBF has grown alongside the industry itself. Today, books and stories increasingly travel across formats and platforms, and Bologna is where publishers meet producers, licensors, game developers, toy companies and other creative industries to explore their potential and reach new audiences. This growing convergence comes to life in the Transmedia Hall, bringing together BLTF/Kids, the TV/ Film Rights Centre, the Games Business Centre and the Toy Zone: a dedicated environment where publishing connects with licensing, audiovisual, gaming and toys, opening up new opportunities for stories and IPs. At BCBF, stories are discovered, rights are traded, talent emerges and new partnerships begin. A rich programme of more than 600 events complements the business opportunities at the fair, with conferences, workshops, masterclasses, portfolio reviews and presentations offering insights into the latest trends, ideas and developments shaping children’s publishing and content worldwide. GET IN TOUCH bookfair@bolognafiere.it
What makes BCBF unique
IT’S WHERE THE WORLD DISCOVERS WHAT’S NEXT BCBF offers an unparalleled overview of children’s publishing from around the world. Through year-round international scouting, BCBF actively seeks out new publishers, emerging talents and fresh creative voices, continually bringing new countries and publishing scenes into its global community. With exhibitors and professional visitors coming from over 100 countries and regions, Bologna is the place to discover new books, new talent and new perspectives — and to see what is happening, and what is coming next, in children’s publishing worldwide.
IT’S IT’S A PLACE EXCLUSIVELY TO LEARN FOR INDUSTRY AND BE PROFESSIONALS INSPIRED
IT’S A YEAR-ROUND GLOBAL PRESENCE
BCBF is a professionalsonly event, entirely focused on business, rights trading, networking and professional exchange. Every aspect of the fair is designed for the international publishing and content industries, creating an environment where professionals can make the most of their time in Bologna. It is a place to meet long-standing partners, discover new ones and build relationships across different sectors and generations.
BCBF extends far beyond its four days in Bologna. Through the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair, the Bologna Grand Tour, international book and illustration exhibitions, professional initiatives and book donation projects, BCBF connects with the publishing and illustration community around the world throughout the year.
BCBF is also a place for professional development, debate and inspiration. Conferences, masterclasses, workshops, portfolio reviews and conversations with leading international voices offer professionals the opportunity to share knowledge, understand change and explore the issues shaping the future of the industry.
IT’S A TRANSMEDIA EVENT Over the years, BCBF has become the only event which has created a transmedia hub, expanding beyond publishing and embracing licensing, audiovisual, gaming, and toys in a concrete and effective way. This ecosystem reaches its full potential within the Transmedia Hall, set in the heart of the global publishing community. The Hall hosts the TV/ Film Rights Centre, the Games Business Centre, the Toy Zone, and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids.
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RIGHTS AT THE HEART OF BCBF As a professionals-only trade fair, BCBF is built around business. Rights trading has been at its heart since the very beginning, and today Bologna offers rights professionals an increasingly broad range of opportunities to discover content, meet new partners and develop stories and IPs across markets and languages.
RIGHTS CENTRE For children’s and general trade publishing The Rights Centre is an international hub for copyright trading for both children’s and general trade publishing Rights Professionals. Open to literary agents and scouts across all publishing sectors, it also welcomes rights teams from exhibiting publishers at Bologna Children’s Book Fair and BolognaBookPlus, who can reserve dedicated tables or offices for meetings and negotiations. By bringing children’s and general publishing rights professionals together in one place, the Rights Centre creates opportunities for new international connections and business across the entire publishing industry. GET IN TOUCH Children’s publishing Rights Professionals: bookfair@bolognafiere.it General publishing Rights Professionals: bolognabookplus@bolognafiere.it
TV/FILM
COMICS CORNER
TRANSMEDIA RIGHTS OPPORTUNITIES CENTRE
The international hub for comics and graphic novels
Taking stories and IPs beyond the book
Where books meet screens
The Comics Corner brings together the international comics and graphic novel community at BCBF. In 2026, it welcomed over 100 publishers from 30 countries, offering a unique overview of different publishing scenes, trends and approaches to visual storytelling. Alongside rights trading and networking, a dedicated programme of portfolio reviews, masterclasses and events — together with the BolognaRagazzi Comics Award — makes the Comics Corner a key destination for professionals working in the sector. Participating publishers also benefit from year-round visibility through the Comics Corner Directory on the BCBF website and a dedicated section on the Bologna Global Rights Exchange platform (GRE).
As stories increasingly travel across formats and platforms, BCBF creates new opportunities for publishers and rights professionals to connect with other creative industries. Within the Transmedia Hall, dedicated business areas connect publishing with licensing, audiovisual, gaming and toys, opening up new possibilities for stories and IPs to grow beyond the book.
The TV/Film Rights Centre is a dedicated marketplace for publishers, literary agents and audiovisual producers looking to discover and develop book-based IPs for film and television. Tailored matchmaking, dedicated meeting spaces, support services and a complimentary bar provide the ideal setting for targeted meetings and negotiations.
GET IN TOUCH transmedia@bolognafiere.it
GET IN TOUCH mariaelena.schiavo@bolognafiere.it
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GAMES BUSINESS CENTRE
TOY ZONE
Where publishing meets gaming
Where stories come into play
The Games Business Centre brings video game companies together with publishers, film and TV producers and licensing professionals. Participating companies benefit from tailored matchmaking, dedicated meeting areas and professional facilities, while previews and talks offer a closer look at new projects, emerging trends and the evolving relationship between publishing and gaming.
The Toy Zone creates a meeting point between the publishing and toy industries, exploring how books, characters and stories can move into play — and how educational toys and games can inspire new publishing content. It provides a dedicated business environment for toy companies, publishers, licensors and retailers, together with other creative professionals to meet, exchange ideas and explore new collaborations.
AWARDS BCBF celebrates excellence, innovation and creativity through a wide range of international awards recognising outstanding books, publishers and creative projects. More than prestigious accolades, BCBF’s awards bring exceptional work to the attention of the international professional community, increasing visibility and creating new opportunities for rights sales and business worldwide.
BRAW BOLOGNARAGAZZI AWARDS Celebrating the world’s finest picturebooks
Now in its 62nd edition, the BRAW - BolognaRagazzi Awards are among the most sought-after international awards in children’s publishing, recognising outstanding and innovative picturebooks for their graphic and editorial quality, originality and ability to engage young readers. The BRAW are open to publishers from all over the world, whether or not they are exhibiting at BCBF, offering the international publishing community the opportunity to submit its finest titles to one of the world’s most prestigious showcases for children’s books. Judged by international juries of publishing experts, the BRAW are also a major business opportunity: an award or special mention can boost international rights sales and bring publishers, authors and illustrators to the attention of the global publishing community. The five main categories are Fiction, Non-Fiction, Opera Prima, Comics and Toddler, with the possibility of a New Horizons award and one Special Category each year.
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2027 THE BRAW BRAW AMAZING SPECIAL CATEGORY BOOKSHELF
BOLOGNARAGAZZI CROSSMEDIA AWARDS
Scribbles and Drawings
A showcase travelling beyond Bologna
Exploring the new forms of contemporary storytelling
The 2027 Special Category explores the renewed presence of drawing, doodling and mark-making in contemporary children’s books. Pencils, crayons and the simple gesture of leaving a human trace on paper increasingly appear not only as creative tools, but also as protagonists of stories. This renewed attention to drawing may reflect a desire to reclaim a direct, personal form of expression in an increasingly digital world. The category also looks at books that tell the stories of children whose early passion for drawing later became a professional vocation. By offering a global overview of titles published in recent years, Scribbles and Drawings highlights books that celebrate creativity, self-expression and the enduring pleasure of drawing.
One of BCBF’s flagship initiatives, The BRAW Amazing Bookshelf shines a spotlight on 150 outstanding picturebooks selected from the BolognaRagazzi Awards finalists, alongside the winners and special mentions. Launched in 2022, the exhibition has become a highly successful showcase of contemporary picturebook publishing, offering an exceptional overview of creative trends and talent from around the world. Its reach extends well beyond the Fair: The BRAW Amazing Bookshelf is regularly presented internationally, bringing the selected books to new professional audiences and giving publishers, authors and illustrators valuable additional visibility throughout the year.
Now in their seventh edition, the BolognaRagazzi CrossMedia Awards reflect the changing relationship between publishing, audiovisual, gaming and digital media, recognising projects that expand storytelling beyond the traditional boundaries of the book. An International Jury awards projects in three categories:
Submissions are open until January 20, 2027
Book-to-Media For books that generate new narrative developments through film, television, animation, video games, apps, audio and other media.
Transmedia Evolution For intellectual properties conceived from the outset as narrative ecosystems, in which each medium contributes original and complementary content to the story.
Digital Reading Experiences For platforms, applications and digital products that offer innovative and effective ways of reading on screen. The Jury may also assign Special Mentions to projects distinguished by their quality, innovation or creative value. Participation is free and open to publishers, IP owners, developers, producers, authors and other professionals involved in the creation of the projects. Submissions are open until February 1, 2027
BOP – BOLOGNA PRIZE FOR THE BEST CHILDREN’S PUBLISHERS OF THE YEAR
PREMIO STREGA RAGAZZE E RAGAZZI
PREMIO CARLA POESIO
Celebrating publishing excellence worldwide
Giving young readers a voice
Supporting research in children’s literature
Established in 2013, the BOP – Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year recognises publishers that stand out for the innovation, creativity and quality of their editorial choices. Organised by BCBF and AIE – Italian Publishers Association, in partnership with IPA – International Publishers Association, the prize celebrates publishers from six geographical areas worldwide: Africa; Caribbean, Central and South America; North America; Asia; Europe; and Oceania. What makes the BOP particularly distinctive is that it is a prize awarded by publishers to publishers: the winners are chosen by BCBF exhibitors from shortlists nominated by their peers and by organisations promoting books and reading around the world.
Created in 2016 from Italy’s most prestigious literary award, the Premio Strega, the Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi promotes reading by giving young readers an active role in choosing the winning books. Dedicated to children’s books published in Italy, including translations, the prize involves thousands of readers aged 6 to 13 from schools in Italy and abroad. Alongside the three main age categories — 6+, 8+ and 11+ — the prize also recognises debut books and visual narratives, reflecting the richness and diversity of contemporary publishing for young readers.
The Carla Poesio Award reflects BCBF’s commitment to research and scholarship in children’s literature, recognising outstanding postgraduate dissertations in the field. Currently open to postgraduate works from Italian universities, the award pays tribute to literary critic Carla Poesio and to her fundamental contribution to children’s literature and to the birth and development of BCBF.
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ILLUSTRATION AT THE HEART OF BCBF BCBF has placed illustration at the heart of its identity since its beginning, becoming one of the world’s leading meeting points for illustrators and publishing professionals. Through its exhibitions, awards, portfolio reviews, workshops and professional development programmes, BCBF discovers and promotes new talent, supports illustrators throughout their careers and connects them with publishers and art directors worldwide. This commitment extends far beyond the four days of the Fair. BCBF brings illustration to international audiences throughout the year through travelling exhibitions, collaborations with leading institutions and initiatives presented at book fairs and cultural events worldwide.
ILLUSTRATORS EXHIBITION 60 years of discovering talent In 2026, the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition celebrated its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of discovering and promoting some of the most significant voices in international illustration. Each year, an international jury selects outstanding works from more than 4,000 submissions from around the world. The selected illustrations are exhibited at the heart of BCBF before embarking on a two-year international tour, with exhibitions in countries including Japan, South Korea and China. For selected artists, being part of the Exhibition opens up a range of professional opportunities. Their work is published in the prestigious Illustrators Annual, while initiatives such as Meet the Jury!, the Portfolio Marathon and the Bologna Portfolio Award create direct connections with international publishers, art directors and other industry professionals. GET IN TOUCH illustratori@bolognafiere.it
POLIMAGINATION
PROFESSIONAL THE OPPORTUNITIES ILLUSTRATORS FOR ILLUSTRATORS SURVIVAL CORNER
A focus on Polish illustration
From emerging talent to professional careers
Where illustrators meet, learn and grow
As Guest of Honour at BCBF 2027, Poland will present a special programme of exhibitions, workshops and cultural events, both within the fair and across the city, creating opportunities for visitors to engage with its creative heritage and contemporary culture.
Around the Illustrators Exhibition, BCBF has developed a range of initiatives designed to give illustrators direct access to publishers, art directors and international industry professionals, while supporting talent at different stages of their careers. MEET THE JURY! gives selected illustrators the opportunity to engage with the international experts behind the Illustrators Exhibition selection, while the Portfolio Marathon creates direct encounters with publishers looking for new talent. The Bologna Portfolio Award offers a further opportunity for professional development and international visibility, with the winner travelling to the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair. The programme also includes the BCBF Visual Identity Workshop and prestigious initiatives such as the International Award for Illustration BCBF–Fundación SM and the Ars in Fabula Grant Award.
One of BCBF’s most successful flagship initiatives, The Illustrators Survival Corner is a professional meeting place dedicated to illustrators and their careers. Through a rich programme of workshops, masterclasses and portfolio reviews led by internationally renowned illustrators and publishing professionals, it offers practical guidance, professional development and invaluable opportunities for exchange and networking. In 2026, The Illustrators Survival Corner welcomed more than 5,800 participants from around the world, confirming its role as one of the Fair’s major meeting points for the international illustration community. Its success now extends far beyond Bologna: the format has travelled to major international book fairs, festivals and professional events worldwide. First introduced internationally at the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair, it has since become a regular feature there as well as at the Guadalajara International Book Fair, the Shanghai Illustration & Pop Show and MIFA – International Animation Film Market in Annecy. Curated by Mimaster Illustrazione, Milan.
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ILLUSTRATION PARTNERSHIPS Special exhibitions at BCBF Through partnerships with leading institutions and organisations, BCBF presents special exhibitions offering new perspectives on contemporary illustration and highlighting distinctive creative scenes and traditions.
THE ORIGINAL ART
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Thanks to its collaboration with the Society of Illustrators in New York, BCBF presents a selection from The Original Art, the prestigious annual exhibition showcasing illustrations from outstanding children’s books published in the United States. A curated selection is presented in Bologna, accompanied by guided tours offering professionals a closer look at contemporary trends and approaches in American children’s book illustration.
CHINESE EXCELLENCE IN CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATION Now in its fourth edition, Chinese Excellence in Children’s Illustration offers a showcase of contemporary Chinese illustration. An international jury of Chinese and international experts selects outstanding illustrators, providing a broad overview of the richness and diversity of China’s contemporary creative scene. The selected works are presented at BCBF in a dedicated exhibition accompanied by a bilingual English-Chinese catalogue. The initiative is organised by BCBF, China South Publishing & Media Group and Sìdee Cultural Communication.
PLACE TO BE TRANSLATORS THE FOR CHILDREN’S CENTRE BOOKS TRANSLATORS The Translators Centre serves as a dynamic meeting point for translators and children’s publishing professionals, providing expert resources, networking opportunities, and practical information on the world of literary translation.
The Translators Café The Translators Café presents a vibrant programme of events and activities, bringing together translators, publishers, and other key players in the international publishing community. Through workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities, it provides a dynamic space for professional exchange, dialogue, and collaboration. The Café also offers access to a wealth of resources on children’s book translation, including information on professional associations, translator residencies, grants and scholarships, and translation funding opportunities available to publishers. The World Directory of Children’s Book Translators A comprehensive database of professional translators specializing in children’s literature, the Directory serves as a vital link between publishers and translation experts worldwide. In addition to covering the most widely requested language combinations, it also includes extensive listings for so-called minority and lesser-translated languages. As such, it is an essential resource both for publishers seeking reliable, high-quality translation services and for translators looking to expand their professional opportunities. Translators can register online via the QR code below.
“In Altre Parole” Annual Translation Competition The annual translation competition “In Altre Parole”, aimed at emerging translators working into Italian from a variety of source languages, will be dedicated to Polish in recognition of Poland’s role as the 2027 Bologna Children’s Book Fair Guest of Honour. Poland BCBF Guest of Honour 2027 The 2027 programme will feature events organised within the framework of the Polish project “Polimagination”, dedicated to literary translation and children’s literature.
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Illustration Jack Smyth Design chialab.it
In partnership with
5-8 APRIL 2027 BOLOGNA, ITALY TRADING FOR GENERAL PUBLISHERS
An event by
With the support of
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TRADING FOR GENERAL PUBLISHERS
EXHIBIT & SHOWCASE AREA
BolognaBookPlus is the European Spring opportunity for general publishing. BolognaBookPlus welcomes the world, and is the gateway to Italian publishing through its partnership with AIE – Italian Publishers Association.
BolognaBookPlus aims to give general trade companies an opportunity to expand their reach through a variety of exhibiting packages. They range from “space only” options, turnkey “turn up and trade” stands, through to rights tables in the combined children’s and general adult trade Bologna Rights Centre. BCBF exhibitors who take additional space in BBPlus will be entitled to a 50% discount on their BBPlus stand. GET IN TOUCH bolognabookplus@bolognafiere.it
The book fair has grown so impressively since I was last there - not least in terms of general publishing and topical and high-level seminar activity. This year’s visit was a particular pleasure and of real value: the multiplicity of international stands and so many publishers… of an invigorating diversity.
Two successive years of exhibiting at BolognaBookPlus has proven the worth of the investment. Apart from the busy aisles with lots of footfall from well-qualified people, there’s a special focusing of people’s minds when they come to the ‘adult’ sector of the famous Children’s Book Fair. They come deliberately, they come to learn, they come to engage. Most people didn’t ‘drive-by’, they paused, enquired, interacted. In addition, the opportunities to speak, and to attend high-quality, well-curated sessions, added great value to our investment. We’ll be back again next year!
As a first-time visitor, it was incredible to see the buzz around and get the opportunity to connect with publishing houses all over the world. I also wanted to thank you for the incredibly informative training sessions on How to Sell Rights and Understand Licensing in Children’s Books. As a junior in the publishing industry, opportunities like these are invaluable and essential to my growth.
Christopher MacLehose Open Borders Press
Nadim Sadek Shimmr AI
Shurooq Kamal Emirates LitFest
BOLOGNA RIGHTS CENTRE Open to all literary agents, scouts and exhibiting publishers – general and children’s. The Bologna Rights Centre, sitting alongside FBF and LBF, welcomes all Rights Professionals from the worlds of general and children’s publishing. The BRC (Bologna Rights Centre) welcomes publishing professionals and all general publishing literary agents and scouts. This reflects the extension into general publishing via BolognaBookPlus. How to Sell Rights and Understand Licensing in Children’s Books is the definitive training for all those wishing to get into rights, or in their first role.
TRANSLATION SEMINARS The annual Translation Focus looks at the trends in sales of translated books and hot topics in the world of translation.
A topical seminar programme takes place throughout the fair. It considers the challenges and opportunities facing the industry through short seminars led by industry names from across the globe. Exhibitors can also submit seminars for the official programme. More information about applications can be found on the website.
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AUDIO FORUM A half-day conference sharing how to leverage audio content.
AI SUMMIT A half-day deep dive into the opportunities and challenges for publishers.
THE NEW TITLE SHOWCASE
WRITERS’ LAB
The New Title Showcase is an official exhibit at the heart of BolognaBookPlus. The showcase is an attractive, low-budget way for authors to have their titles on display, both print and digital, at major international book fairs, and in prime exhibiting locations. Official exhibit means high visibility, promotion and traffic, and will help drive the audience, including book buyers, publishers, agents, media, librarians and more, to exhibited books and ebooks.
The new area of BolognaBookPlus dedicated to authors: a space designed to provide guidance, practical tools, and opportunities for dialogue with professionals from across the publishing industry. The programme also features a special focus on self-publishing, offering insights and opportunities for independent authors.
GET IN TOUCH bolognabookplus@bolognafiere.it
THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME Author Ambassador Each year, BolognaBookPlus selects an Author Ambassador from a different country around the world. The chosen author attends the fair, speaking at a range of seminars and events and represents success and international publishing. 2027 celebrates Liu Zhenyun.
Illustration Ambassador Following Neil Packer, Joanna Karpowicz and Mari Kanstad Johnsen, the BolognaBookPlus Illustration Ambassador 2027 is Jack Smyth.
Translation Ambassador New for 2027, BolognaBookPlus is proud to shine a spotlight on the art of literary translation. This year it will be in recognition of Poland as the Guest of Honour country 2027. Watch this space for the announcement of a name that opens up the translation of Polish writers to an Italian audience.
DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION AT BOLOGNA BOOKPLUS
INDIE AUTHORS BOOK JACKET AWARD
Recognition of the production and design work of general trade publishing will be celebrated once again in 2027.
BolognaBookPlus renews its commitment to supporting independent authors with the Indie Authors Book Jacket Awards, a prize that celebrates the most original, effective, and high-quality covers in the world of self-publishing.
NEW
DESIGNER STUDIO @BOLOGNA BOOKPLUS Launched at BolognaBookPlus 2026, the Designer Studio is a new programme, curated by Mimaster Illustrazione. The initiative is dedicated to art direction, editorial graphic design and nonchildren’s illustration, designed to foster dialogue between visual design and the general trade publishing market. The programme features masterclasses, workshops and portfolio reviews led by internationally renowned art directors, graphic designers and illustrators. The 2026 edition focused on the book cover as both a visual design object and a marketing tool. Masterclasses explored its evolution from historical roots to contemporary practice, while handson workshops engaged designers and illustrators in the process of creating and developing book covers for publishing. 2027 will feature special exhibits including a special anniversary of the art of the acclaimed Folio Society.
TALKING PICTURES Talking Pictures is a collaboration between BolognaBookPlus, Hamelin Association, and author and illustrator Steven Guarnaccia, that explores the cultural importance and ongoing impact of the contemporary international visual book, focusing on the Guest of Honour Country production. It comprises a showcase, a jury and a seminar with a jury discussion. 2027 will feature Poland.
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LICENSING MEETS CONTENT
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LTF/Kids is the licensing trade show for subsidiary rights of brands and properties for children, teens and young adults offering opportunities across publishing, licensing, gaming, toys, and audiovisual media. In 2027, BLTF/Kids will celebrate its 20th anniversary, bringing together, every year, key players on a global scale and showcasing hundreds of brands, within a dynamic exhibition space at the heart of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, that is in the Transmedia Hall. Not only a rich exhibition area, but also a dedicated Licensing Business Lounge ensures that international attendees have all the resources they need for successful business connections. A tailored matchmaking service offers attendees the opportunity to meet key industry players and retailers, making participation in the event highly worthwhile. Along the years, the BLTF/Kids hall has evolved into a transmedia space, including the TV/ Film Rights Centre, the Toy Zone, and the Games Business Centre, which welcome audiovisual, toy and gaming companies interested in developing IPs across books and multiple media and products ecosystems. GET IN TOUCH licensing@bolognafiere.it
LICENSING BUSINESS LOUNGE
ARTS LICENSING AREA
BLTF/Kids offers companies the opportunity to secure dedicated tables within the exclusive Licensing Business Lounge. This premium space provides a comprehensive suite of hospitality and operational services to maximize efficiency during the event, featuring official inclusion in the BLTF/Kids Exhibitor Catalogue and full access to the dedicated matchmaking platform to streamline meeting schedules.
The Arts Licensing Area is a vibrant marketplace where creativity meets opportunities beyond books. It brings together art licensing agencies and independent talents with an international network of publishers, toy brands, licensees, and professionals from TV, film, and gaming — all gathered at BCBF to discover fresh ideas and forge new partnerships.
RETAIL LOUNGE As every year, the number of retailers constantly increases, so we will dedicate a section of the Licensing Business Lounge to welcome retailers visiting the show and to help them meet the exhibitors of the BLTF/Kids and the Toy Zone.
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SPECIAL EVENTS AT BLTF/KIDS Located at the heart of BCBF, BLTF/Kids also offers an exciting programme of events including the Bologna Licensing Awards, the Licensing Portfolio Reviews and the International Kids Licensing & Media Days.
INTERNATIONAL KIDS LICENSING & MEDIA DAYS The International Kids Licensing & Media Days are a premier series of conferences focused on the latest trends in children’s content. Covering key sectors such as licensing, publishing, toys, video content, gaming, retail, and the digital revolution, these events provide valuable insights into innovative strategies for capturing the attention of an increasingly fragmented and dynamic audience. In 2026, the event hosted over 85 international C-level speakers, offering a truly global perspective on the future of the industry.
BOLOGNA LICENSING AWARDS The Bologna Licensing Awards stand out as a premium international prize recognising exceptional licensing projects across the globe, addressed to children, teens and YA. These prestigious awards celebrate achievements in key business categories and target age groups, including PRESCHOOL, KIDS, TEENS and YA. They also honour excellence in specific sectors such as FASHION, RETAIL, PUBLISHING, TOYS and GAMES. To top it off, the highly coveted PROPERTY OF THE YEAR award highlights the most impactful brand or character of the year.
MATCHMAKING WITH BCBF EXHIBITORS LICENSING AND SPECIAL PORTFOLIO AREAS REVIEWS All BLTF/K exhibitors enjoy exclusive access to personalized matchmaking opportunities, connecting them with licensees and retailers, as well as with BCBF exhibitors and companies from the fair’s dedicated business areas, including the TV/Film Rights Centre, the Games Business Centre and the Toy Zone. This creates a unique opportunity for the licensing industry to enhance brand content development by connecting with key players across publishing, audiovisual, and gaming sectors.
In 2025 the Licensing Portfolio Reviews facilitated over 400 connections between global companies and international artists. The initiative is again in 2027. This exclusive speed-dating event offers a rare opportunity to bring together talents and companies from the gaming, media, and consumer products industries.
BCBF OFFICIAL MERCHANDISING To celebrate the vibrant Bologna community, BCBF has launched its official merchandise line. Every year limited edition must-have products are designed to make your Bologna experience even more memorable!
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BOLOGNA: DRIVING THE GLOBAL COPYRIGHT EXCHANGE FORWARD
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ologna offers professionals two powerful matchmaking tools to discover new contacts and schedule meetings. In addition to the Global Rights Exchange, available all year round, for the past two editions, Bologna has also offered its exhibitors a dedicated matchmaking platform, active during the days of the fair, to help them make the most of their experience.
AT THE FAIR BOLOGNA MATCHMAKING PLATFORM The Bologna Children’s Book Fair, BolognaBookPlus, and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids have launched a curated matchmaking platform to spark business connections. This smart digital space makes it easy for professional visitors and exhibitors to connect, discover new partners, and schedule meetings during the fair. Introduced in 2025 and offered for free to exhibitors and selected professional visitors, the tool was met with great enthusiasm, generating over 3,000 meetings in four days at BCBF 2026. Starting in January, exhibitors can set their search preferences, choose who to meet, and schedule time slots for appointments at the fair. From the first access, it’s possible to connect with all exhibitors across all BCBF’s areas — as well as selected professional visitors for even greater networking opportunities. Exhibitors can manage their agendas easily through the platform and rely on a dedicated help desk for support. Be part of it: scan the QR code to register your interest and receive your credentials when the platform goes live.
ND ALL YEAR ROU BOLOGNA GLOBAL RIGHTS EXCHANGE Born in 2020 to help publishing professionals stay connected during the pandemic, Bologna Global Rights Exchange (GRE) has evolved into a year-round virtual marketplace and meeting platform dedicated to the international exchange of copyrights, distribution and licensing opportunities. GRE enables publishers and rights professionals to showcase their catalogues, discover new content, connect with international partners and trade rights—all year round, beyond the physical book fairs. With around 23,861 titles and more than 230 properties, GRE brings together a growing global publishing community in one dedicated digital environment. Advanced search filters make it easy to discover relevant content by country, age group, category, book type, topic and professional profile, helping users identify the right titles and the right business contacts quickly. The platform currently hosts more than 1,500 virtual exhibitors, who can showcase their titles and brands, monitor market trends, connect with potential partners and chat or schedule video meetings directly on the platform. GRE brings together two main communities: virtual Exhibitors and Virtual visitors. Exhibitors benefit from additional tools that allow them to upload and organise catalogue PDFs, book previews, titles and brands into dedicated showcases and collections, creating an always-accessible digital catalogue that can be explored by international rights buyers throughout the year. GRE is open to publishers, literary agents, scouts, licensees and licensors, developers, licensing agencies, TV and audiovisual producers, as well as promotion and service providers. Access to GRE is free for all exhibitors attending BCBF, BLTF/ Kids and BBPlus in person.
FEATURES INCLUDE TRANSLATABLE INSTANT CHATS Chat on the GRE in your own language Create group chats. INSTANT VIDEO MEETINGS Schedule and hold meetings directly on the platform. Screen sharing and files sending available within the video chat. IMPROVED SEARCH FEATURES Filters specifically targeting the children’s book market. Search filters by book topic, book type, age level, country, and more. Highlight function of membership in a national association or collective. USER-FRIENDLY UPLOADING OF CONTENTS Easy-to-use automated single or bulk upload of titles and pdfs. Highlight function for key titles. New Titles/Brands showcase section to create custom digital catalogues.
www.globalrightsexchange.com
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ONE TRADITION, TWO GLOBAL EVENTS THE EASTERN CHAPTER OF BCBF
SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR Shanghai, 13-15 November 2026 SWEECC Since 2018, BCBF has expanded its reach across the globe as co-organiser of the Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF). The fair has rapidly evolved into one of the leading international platforms for children’s publishing and a key event in the Asia-Pacific region entirely dedicated to children’s books and content. Sharing BCBF’s exclusive focus on children’s publishing and its strong professional orientation, CCBF offers a rich programme of conferences, industry seminars and creative events. Topics range from publishing strategies and rights trading to reading promotion, alongside workshops and events led by internationally renowned authors and illustrators. The 2026 edition will bring together more than 500 exhibitors from around 35 countries and regions and is expected to welcome over 45,000 visitors, confirming CCBF’s growing role as a gateway to the Asian children’s publishing market. GET IN TOUCH mariaelena.schiavo@bolognafiere.it www.ccbookfair.com
Approved by Shanghai Press & Publication Administration Organised by Shanghai Xinhua Distribution Group Co., Ltd. China Education Publishing & Media Group Ltd. China Universal Press & Publication Co., Ltd. Co-organised by Ronbo BolognaFiere Shanghai Ltd. Powered by BolognaFiere S.p.A
POLAND IN THE LIMELIGHT
COMICS LOUNGE
ITALIAN COLLECTIVE STAND
Among the most anticipated highlights is a preview of Poland’s Guest of Honour programme for Bologna 2027 featuring a special focus on the country’s publishing industry.
New for 2026! The Comics Lounge, a cosy space dedicated to international players of comics and graphic novels, in connection with the Comics Corner at BCBF. A vibrant hub for publishers, and industry professionals celebrating the creativity and global evolution of visual storytelling.
Organised by the Italian Trade Agency with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Pavilion welcomes publishers and agents eager to connect with Asian industry professionals, fostering new partnerships and international publishing opportunities.
BOP – BOLOGNA PRIZE LOUNGE The BOP – Bologna Prize Lounge celebrates the winners and finalists of the Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year, the international award dedicated to outstanding children’s publishers across the world’s six continents. REGIONAL LOUNGE The Regional Lounge highlights dynamic publishing scenes from across Asia through two dedicated areas: the Asia-Pacific New Entry Lounge and the Belt and Road Lounge, both designed to showcase emerging and distinguished publishing houses.
CROSSMEDIA LOUNGE The CrossMedia Lounge celebrates editorial projects that go beyond the book into digital worlds, animation, video games, and audio-visual productions. The area also features winners of the BolognaRagazzi CrossMedia Award. RIGHTS CENTRE The CCBF Rights Centre welcomes literary agents and scouts in a dedicated space within the Copyright Zone, offering a turnkey environment for meetings, negotiations and rights exchange throughout the fair.
SPOTLIGHT ON NEW BOOKS A featured exhibition area at the heart of the fair, that highlights newly published children’s book by CCBF exhibitors. This initiative offers an additional platform for publishers to introduce their latest titles to both Chinese and International markets. In 2025, the programme featured 270 selected new titles, making it one of the fair’s most visited content displays.
CHILDREN PLUS This special programme features each year a curated book exhibition on a specific topic and a seminar exploring a key theme or a publishing trend. In 2026, CCBF’s Children Plus initiative will spotlight fables and fairy tales, featuring 200 titles from across the globe that demonstrate how these stories surpass time and geography to create a universal cultural treasure. SHANGHAI COMICS WEEK To further strengthen the growing comics sector in China and foster closer ties with the Comics Corner at BCBF, the Shanghai Comics Week is a new CCBF platform dedicated to comics, graphic novels, and visual storytelling. This area aims to provide a multi-dimensional interactive platform for creators, readers and fans by showcasing comic works and original artwork, hosting signing sessions and creator meet-ups, and creating immersive experiences.
THE ILLUSTRATORS SURVIVAL CORNER The Illustrators Survival Corner, one of BCBF’s flagship initiatives, offers illustrators a vibrant meeting space where they can exchange experiences and receive professional guidance on their work and careers. The programme is curated by Mimaster Illustrazione. GOLDEN PINWHEEL YOUNG ILLUSTRATORS COMPETITION & EXHIBITION The Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition and Exhibition is an international contest for illustrators under 45, designed to connect emerging talent with children’s publishers in China and around the world.
PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME The CCBF professional programme will bring together leading voices from China and around the world through a rich series of conferences, seminars and professional exchanges. Key topics will include reading promotion and the future generation of readers, Chinese and global children’s book market trends, children’s IP and crossmedia development, alongside sessions exploring fables and fairy tales, Pinocchio, and contemporary storytelling. Highlights include the International Children’s Reading Promotion Forum, supported by IBBY, and special sessions featuring internationally acclaimed authors and illustrators Cai Gao, Jon Klassen, Bart Moeyaert, David Wiesner, Emily Gravett, Lee Jee Eun, Ruan Yunting and Tang Tang.
POLAND: GUEST OF HONOUR, BOLOGNA 2027