Dec 17, 2024
European Film Market 2025

Under the new direction of Tanja Meissner, the European Film Market (EFM) 2025 will again open its doors from February 13 to 19, welcoming international industry representatives including producers, global sales agents and distributors as well as cinema operators, high-tech companies, and investors from all over the world.

As one of the world’s leading trading platforms for licensing and networking, the EFM kicks off the audio-visual business year as a key indicator of trends, innovations and developments in global film and TV production. Once again, the EFM promises to be a highly dynamic meeting place for major industry players and key stakeholders. Already two months before the festival starts, exhibition spaces at the different venues are fully booked.

EFM – Distributor Award

On February 12, 2025, the inaugural EFM Distributor Award will be presented for the first time as part of the European Film Market kick-off event. The Award aims to recognize the significance of European Arthouse distribution and its central contribution to cultural diversity. The cash prize of 7,500 euros is donated by Fintage House and will be awarded by a three-member jury of renowned industry representatives to underscore industry-wide appreciation of these key players in the value chain.

EFM – Innovation Hub

Under the roof of the Gropius Bau, the newly created Innovation Hub at the upcoming EFM will devote an entire floor to creativity and pioneering developments in the international production sector for the first time. The focus here will be on cutting-edge technologies and AI-based solutions from screenwriting to distribution, which are revolutionising the industry. The Innovation Hub features a technology-centred exhibitor area, interactive panels, and practice-oriented workshops for producers led by renowned experts, which are exclusively accessible to Market Badge holders. The new space is being realised in collaboration with Microsoft, Largo.ai, Vimeo, Publikum.eo, the Film Commission Region Stuttgart, the Animationsinstitut of the Filmakademie BW, as well as carefully selected start-ups.

In the words of Berlinale Pro*-Director Tanja Meissner: “The main focus lies on providing EFM participants with a highly efficient infrastructure and on creating opportunities for business and networking. I see ourselves as ambassadors and facilitators for the industry to emerge stronger from a dynamic market. While our costs have risen, it was imperative to keep competitive prices for our clients who also work on reduced budgets. While the marketplace for licencing, packaging and distribution is central, we also need to explore sustainable business models, enhanced communication, and the power of community-building to promote diversity, emerging talent and knowledge sharing. Specifically for this purpose we have created daily networking formats, such as the new ‘Breakfast Club’ and the ‘Happy Innovation Hour’ on the second floor of the Gropius Bau.”

Director of the Berlinale, Tricia Tuttle says: “I’m so excited about the work that Tanja and her team are doing to make it easier for people to do business in Berlin. A strong Berlinale means getting the market and the audience festival to work more closely in tandem and we are fully committed to developing these synergies over the next years.”

The University of Applied Sciences, located in the immediate vicinity of the Gropius Bau, has been added as new EFM screening location. The market screenings at CinemaxX will again begin one day earlier on February 12, 2025.

Other key venues include the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion and Reconciliation as conference venue, as well as the Marriott Hotel, Berliner Freiheit, DFFB, Arsenal and the Mirror Tent.

EFM – DocSalon & Industry Sessions

The DocSalon returns as the focal networking platform for the documentary film community. Sponsored by FilmFernsehFonds Bayern as its official partner, a diverse curated programme awaits accredited market participants from February 14 to 18, 2025. The emphasis will be on relevant topics from production and exploitation as well as exclusive consultation sessions with leading experts from the documentary film industry and international festivals. In parallel, the EFM Industry Sessions will again offer valuable insights through master-classes, case studies, talks and workshops. The Female Summit promises to be an inspiring highlight, covering topics such as equal opportunities, empowerment, networking and career development for female executives.

EFM – Berlinale Series Market

The Berlinale Series Market, the EFM-platform for series formats, will again be celebrating the international diversity and creativity of series production, now in its eleventh year. The event offers an arena for around 15 hand-picked series with high market potential from all over the world. At CinemaxX on Potsdamer Platz, registered market participants can look forward to exclusive previews, showcases and an exciting conference programme highlighting trends and innovations in the industry. This year’s event introduces Reel Time, where buyers can gain an exclusive insight into current productions by viewing promo reels. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW is acting as co-initiator and main partner. The Berlinale Series Market is also supported by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.

“Country in Focus” 2025 – Spain

This year, Spain and its vibrant film industry will take centre stage at the Berlinale’s EFM as ‘Country in Focus’. The diversity of Spain as a production location, the creative excellence and its tech-savvy pioneering role aligns perfectly with the EFM’s focus on innovation and industry trends.

EFM – Toolbox and Market Badge Inclusion Initiative

The EFM Toolbox programme is part of the Initiative Diversity & Inclusion and is being funded by the Creative Europe Media Programme, Canada Media Fund, and Hessen Film & Medien. Its aim is to integrate producers and filmmakers from marginalised groups and the Global South into the international film industry, addressing systemic barriers faced by underrepresented groups. The programme offers practical resources, valuable networking opportunities and knowledge exchange to promote these principles in the industry.

EFM – Africa in Berlin

After the first edition in 2024, AfroBerlin, organised by the agency Yanibes, will be back for two days this year. This time it will be expanding its focus to include the Afro Music Film Day, which features the overlaps between film and music. A new addition, as a ‘business hub’, is the African Pavilion in the Marriott Hotel, devised to complement the AfroBerlin conference programme.

On Berlinale Pro*

In May of this year, Berlinale Director Tricia Tuttle brought four Berlinale institutions together to form a new consortium: Berlinale Pro* unites the European Film Market, Berlinale Talents, the Berlinale Co-Production Market and the World Cinema Fund. Tanja Meissner’s reshaped role encompasses the directorship of the European Film Market (EFM) and the strategic development of the Berlinale Pro* consortium, together with the Heads of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and World Cinema Fund.

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December 17, 2024