KYMA – Stories That Set Sail is the international platform dedicated to fostering connections and exchange between publishing, cinema, audiovisual media and new forms of contemporary storytelling.

The project is conceived as a permanent space for dialogue between culture, business, innovation and international relations, creating a bridge between the Mediterranean and the world’s leading cultural markets.

At a time when stories move fluidly across languages, formats and platforms, KYMA provides a permanent forum for discussing the major transformations reshaping the content industry. Authors, publishers, producers, broadcasters and decision-makers can develop new projects and exchange perspectives on the evolution of the publishing and audiovisual value chains, new production and distribution models, the impact of artificial intelligence, the growth of transmedia content and the role of intellectual property in global markets.

The Institutional Framework

The initiative was created within “Napoli Città – Mondo”, the programme of celebrations marking the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the city of Naples in 2026, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, coordinated by a dedicated Committee established by the Ministry and developed through a network of cultural, economic and diplomatic institutions committed to strengthening Naples’ international positioning.

KYMA is a project promoted by Fondazione Mezzogiorno, in collaboration with Unione Industriali Napoli and co-funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Why KYMA Was Created

The cultural and creative industries have long ceased to operate on separate tracks. Publishing and audiovisual media, in particular, are becoming increasingly interconnected, sharing themes, audiences, authors and new models of production and distribution.

Developments in innovation and artificial intelligence are opening up possibilities that would have been unimaginable only a few years ago. In this landscape, what was missing was a platform centred on stories and the forms they can and will take, expressed through new and international languages, with the Mediterranean as its primary area of focus.

KYMA – Stories That Set Sail aims to establish a strong presence within this constantly evolving cultural, economic and geopolitical space, fostering dialogue between the creative industries and creating new opportunities for engagement with international markets.

KYMA’s Objectives

KYMA’s ambition operates on several levels, with a vision that extends beyond national borders from the very outset.

The first objective is to build bridges between the creative industries — publishing, audiovisual media, cinema and new forms of expression — which today, despite sharing themes, audiences and often even the same authors, continue to operate along parallel paths, with very few opportunities for meaningful interaction.

KYMA aims to become that international space: a platform capable of bringing together the creative industries from across the Mediterranean and Europe, fostering exchange, co-productions and projects that naturally transcend national borders.

The second objective is to become an established point of reference for building lasting professional relationships, launching international co-productions and developing projects that continue well beyond the event itself, becoming part of the networks and circuits that already shape Europe’s cultural industry.

The third objective concerns KYMA’s ability to generate tangible economic and cultural value, not only for its host region but for the entire Mediterranean creative ecosystem, positioning Italy as an active and central hub, rather than a peripheral player, within Europe’s major cultural production and distribution networks.

KYMA, a European Infrastructure

In this sense, KYMA is not conceived as a national showcase with international ambitions but, from its very inception, as a European infrastructure capable of bringing the distinctive characteristics of each Mediterranean country into dialogue within a shared framework.

The project’s international dimension therefore translates into building relationships among cultural operators, businesses, authors and professionals from the publishing, cinema and audiovisual sectors, with the aim of creating new opportunities for collaboration and opening up access to European and international markets.

The KYMA Format

KYMA is a place for connection, exchange and vision. Its format combines business sessions, moments of cultural inspiration and networking opportunities to help the industry understand and navigate the global changes currently underway.

A place for work and building relationships: a high-level networking and professional development hub designed to connect creativity with the industrial and market dimensions of the sector.

The first edition will take place in Naples on 24 September 2026 at the Royal Palace of Naples, with a preview event on 23 September.