The European Film Market (EFM) is one of the most important events of the international film industry. For 9 days during the Berlinale, film professionals have the opportunity to get informed about the latest productions and developments in the global film scene. They can develop and foster business contacts giving them the necessary impulse for their own positioning in the market. Thanks to the close connection to the festival – the first big international film event of the year – the EFM acts as a good barometer for the upcoming film year.
Since 2006 the Martin-Gropius-Bau with its unique atmosphere and the close proximity to the Berlinale Festival centre has acted as the central meeting point for EFM guests. In addition, the 2009 EFM is to benefit from a new, representative exhibition space – the EFM Marriott Offices – in the official second EFM location: the prestigious Marriott Hotel at Potsdamer Platz. The EFM, conveniently situated in the heart of Berlin, is developing into one of the most dynamic marketplaces for the international film business.
In February 2008, 430 companies from 51 countries were represented with stands at the EFM. In addition, 1,073 buyers from 54 countries were able to use the market as a platform for acquiring film rights, and 6,500 professional guests got a look at the diversity of projects. Producers, distributors, buyers and sales agents are drawn to the EFM where commercial art-house projects and original mainstream films are given top billing.
Inspiring initiatives
Numerous cooperation and initiatives by the EFM sustain the success of the market. They offer interested professionals an ideal forum for the development of new projects and for the realisation of promising business contacts.
Under the auspices of the EFM, the Berlinale Co-Production Market is an intense three-day event that specially focuses on forstering international co-productions. Producers and financiers from the entire world meet in the Berlin House of Representatives directly opposite the Martin-Gropius-Bau, in order to find partners for selected projects.
The goal of the Books at Berlinale programme - a collaboration with the Frankfurt Book Fair – is to intensify cooperation between the film and literary industries. In this spirit, many international publishers and agencies are represented under an umbrella stand at the EFM.
In the Straight from Sundance series, an attractive selection of films from Sundance Film Festival is presented, giving buyers a first look at the latest American independent productions.
Works in Progress is a forum for young, talented filmmakers from Latin America, which offers co-producers and financial partners the opportunity to discover young talents and to help them successfully enter the film industry.
Last but not least, the German Cinema film series casts a concentrated eye on German productions that have not yet been released internationally.
Since mid-September 2008 the
EFM has got its own website with comprehensive information and the latest news about the market:
www.efm-berlinale.de
