The EFM Reports Positive Results for the First Post-Pandemic Edition

© Lia Darjes / EFM 2023

The European Film Market (EFM) of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival came to a successful close yesterday (February 22). After two online editions in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic, this year’s market, now once again on-site, reports record results with 230 stands and 612 companies from 78 countries and a total of over 11,500 market participants from 132 countries. These numbers are an impressive testament to the EFM’s position as one of the most significant audiovisual content trade platforms worldwide. 773 films were shown in 1,533 screenings, including 647 online screenings and 599 market premieres. The total number of buyers also rose to 1,302. 629 film projects were presented on the new Producers & Project Pages.

“THE EFM IS BACK! After the past two irregular years, we’re pleased to return to the physical in full force, and with a vibrant, bustling and strong market! The exhibition areas at Gropius Bau and the Marriott Hotel were sold out, and the exhibitors reported strong sales and good business. The decision to group all the market happenings together with the Berlinale Series Market and the market screenings at Potsdamer Platz, and to provide the industry with an efficient infrastructure, was extremely well-received by our market participants,” comments EFM Director Dennis Ruh.

According to feedback from world sales, buyers and other participants, this year’s EFM proved to be very busy and lively, with a large offering of new titles and high-quality content. The international trades reported high demand, including for films screening at the festival, and numerous successful sales to all corners of the globe.

The very well attended EFM Industry Sessions – with the theme “Shift Happens” providing impulses for re-thinking and co-creating the future of the film and media industry – including the Berlinale Series Market talks both took place at the new EFM location, the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation. “Our idea to center EFM activities around Potsdamer Platz turned out to be a good one”, said EFM Director Dennis Ruh. “Just a few steps away from Gropius Bau, the industry took part in the most important hot debates on sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and on the latest developments and new ideas and solutions for challenges our industry is currently facing.”

The “Equity & Inclusion Pathways” seminar, a three-year event series that brought together decision-makers, advocacy groups and stakeholders for a half-day summit in an effort to set the agenda for better representation — both on and off screen — in Europe’s film and television industries. In a unique collective process, over 100 invited guests agreed on five resolutions with concrete goals meant to initiate Europe-wide infrastructural changes.

In three think tanks, international industry representatives addressed topics of current relevance within the framework of the EFM Industry Sessions, including the development of new target groups, investment obligations and the future of film markets. Collaborative working, transparency, embracing change and the need to innovate and adapt in a constantly changing industry were key issues in all think tanks.

This year, the EFM gave targeted support to film creatives from Ukraine and Iran in the form of numerous special measures such as representative booths in the exhibit areas, and provided the industry with platforms to call attention to the situation in their countries, to find co-production and finance partners, and to network.

This year, the Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania received considerable attention at the EFM as the “Countries in Focus”. In showcases, presentations, pitches and talks, Baltic film creatives took the opportunity to provide information, find partners and to network on the topic of filmmaking.

Participants with an (online) market badge can watch the conference programme of the EFM Industry Sessions as VOD until the end of June. A selection of the films presented at the market are also available as a stream until March 31.

©Berlinale