For the latest information please see the EFM website.

Berlinale (EFM)

Germany | Features

The European Film Market (EFM) runs for nine days as part of the Berlin International Film Festival. As the first major film market of the year, it is a magnet for international industry professionals, and is seen as a barometer for the upcoming year in film.

Background

The EFM is the business centre of the festival, taking place in the renaissance exhibition hall of the Martin-Gropius-Bau (MGB), and in the official second location at the EFM Marriott offices and stands in the Marriott Hotel, both close to the festival headquarters.

Each year, producers, distributors, buyers and sales agents converge at the EFM, a framework for sales and trade for the film industry.  The EFM is open only to producers, distributors, exhibitors, exporters and importers of films, as well as professionals active in the areas of video and television sales and acquisitions.

Running alongside the EFM is the Berlinale Co-production Market targeted at producers, film financiers, and broadcasting representatives, as well as at distributors and world sales agents who are interested in international co-productions.

Berlinale Co-Production Market

As part of the EFM, the Berlinale Co-Production Market is a curated project and networking platform for around 600 experienced producers and financiers active in the international co-production business. Each year, it introduces a selection of 35 high-quality feature film projects, eight series projects, 12 novels available for adaptation and five outstanding production companies with a particularly interesting profile. See more information, deadlines and how to apply on the Berlinale/EFM website.  

Berlinale Talents

Berlinale Talents is a professional development programme for 250 emerging filmmakers and drama series creators from all over the world. In addition to the extensive summit programme of master classes and panel discussions with top-notch experts, Berlinale Talents offers a range of Project Labs in which you can further develop and present your own project.

Berlinale Talents also provides Studio programmes and workshops for specific groups of film professionals. As an initiative of the Berlin International Film Festival, the entire event is closely linked with the programmes of the festival sections and the European Film Market. See more information, deadlines and how to apply on the Berlinale Talents website. 

AUSTRALIAN TALENT AT BERLINALE 2018

Attendee tips

Accreditation

All applicants who wish to receive accreditation must do so via the EFM Registration website. Persons under the age of 18 are not eligible for accreditation and registration. Accreditation/registration enquiries are only processed during the official registration period. Deadlines are published on the websites of the Berlinale and the EFM.

Companies have to include a short company profile and a list with the names and functions of the representatives who wish to attend the festival. In order to register, all applicants must show proof of active professional work in the film industry by pointing to an up-to-date website or uploading supporting documents.

Once the registration process has been completed, you will receive correspondence informing you where, when and how you can pick up your festival badge. At the same time you will receive your confirmation of registration. A processing fee is to be paid (by cash or credit card) when you pick up the festival badge in Berlin.

There are early bird rates available and details of the deadlines and fees are on the EFM website.

In order to participate at the EFM, you must be registered with one of the following badges: Market Badge with a Festival Accreditation, an EFM Screening Pass or a Festival Accreditation. Holders of these are given priority access to the MGB.

from attendees

• "The EFM has the advantage of being held in a building – the Martin-Gropius-Bau – which is well separated from the central activities of the Berlin Film Festival. There is a 'hothouse' atmosphere at the Martin Gropius Bau, contributed to mainly by sales agents and distributors selling and buying existing product. This makes it very hard to get their attention when trying to talk about financing new product."
• "EFM is very much a market of immense opportunity for co-productions, especially for Europe-centric projects. Planning ahead and understanding opportunities for your projects in terms of the array of European film incentives and co-producers/buyers is essential to make the most of attendance."