The European Film Market (EFM), taking place from February 12 to 18, 2026, as a key part of the 76th Berlinale, officially launches its new edition with an expanded programme.
Alongside the expanded programme, there are new strategic partnerships and a continued focus on innovation and cross-sector collaboration to reflect the evolving needs of the global audiovisual industry. New additions include the EFM Animation Days, while the Innovation Hub and Producers Hub at Gropius Bau further grow their profiles. The Conference Programme, DocSalon, and the Archive Market round out this year’s expanded industry offering.
Festival Director Tricia Tuttle commented: “The work that Tanja Meissner and her team at European Film Market deliver is an absolutely vital part of the Berlinale. They support film businesses that ensure cultural cinema reaches audiences worldwide. It’s also great to see the energy that EFM is putting into the future – from focusing on digital innovation and expanding its emphasis on different forms to creating pathways into the business for new talent. This is why it continues to be a must-attend market bringing tens of thousands of professionals from over 130 countries to Berlin during the festival each year.”
New: EFM Animation Days (February 12–14)
The first edition of the EFM Animation Days marks a major expansion of the Market’s portfolio. Over three days, the programme brings together global animation creatives, studios, producers, buyers, financiers, and cross-IP partners for curated showcases, pitch formats, case studies, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Part of the new initiative is the Annecy Animation Showcase EFM, curated by MIFA and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, featuring a selection of animated works in progress, ready for the second half of 2026, and aimed at buyers and festival programmers.
Berlinale Pro Director Tanja Meissner comments: “The EFM Animation Days is a vital new initiative that champions a very creative and dynamic sector, in which Europe also provides a very export-ready world-class pipeline. Showcasing the extraordinary talent and creativity that drive the European animation industry is both an industrial and economic, as well as a cultural imperative. The global animation sector is built on excellence and innovation, and we are committed to supporting producers and studios as they navigate transformation.”
The EFM Animation Days are made possible thanks to the support of the regional fund MDM Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung.
EFM Beyond: A New Strategic Platform for Innovation & Future Business Models at Gropius Bau
In 2026, Berlinale Pro introduces EFM Beyond, a new programme cluster dedicated to innovative market strategies and cross-media collaboration. Bringing together film, animation, gaming, and adjacent creative sectors such as story-based XR, EFM Beyond provides a platform where future-facing creativity, cutting-edge technology and business innovation meet. The training programme is targeted at producers and will take place primarily in the EFM Producers Hub on the second floor of the Gropius Bau. At the heart are highly practice-oriented upskilling workshops, such as creating additional revenue streams by expanding IP across multiple media, a worldbuilding session, and a Cross-IP accelerator organised in collaboration with SpielFabrique and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
This year, the EFM Innovation Hub emerged as the first central venue for exhibiting cutting-edge production technologies, showcasing the latest tools and practical applications across the second floor of the Gropius Bau. Once again, there will be daily targeted networking sessions, providing a complementary environment that connects professionals across film, animation, gaming, and XR.
Market-accredited producers can further develop new competencies through a wide range of expert-led workshops in marketing, distribution, or virtual production.
EFM Startups Programme – Twelfth Edition
As in previous years, the curated startup selection introduces ten international media-tech entrepreneurs whose solutions span production, distribution, rights management, exhibition, and audience engagement. The programme connects emerging innovators with producers, distributors, financiers and decision-makers, underscoring the EFM’s distinctive role as the only market where startups gain traction by being highlighted in their own section.
EFM Startup alums include, for example, FilmChain, Respeecher, Publikum, Largo.ai and Phont – just to name a few.
EFM Beyond, the startups programme, and the Producers Hub are made possible with support from Creative Europe MEDIA.
EFM Investors Forum
Following the success of last year’s pilot format, the Investors Forum assembles the industry’s premier film and media finance leaders again for a dynamic day of high-level exchanges and peer-to-peer dialogue. Held against the backdrop of EFM activities spanning co-production, distribution, and innovation across fiction, documentary, animation, and series, the Investors Forum provides a unique context for investors seeking to understand the evolving balance and current developments between private and public funding.
Berlinale Film School Summit: New Talent Platform (February 17)
New in 2026, the Berlinale Film School Summit welcomes up to 100 selected directing and producing students from leading film schools worldwide. Participants gain exclusive access to the Berlinale Pro universe and the Market, along with tailored workshops, masterclasses, and structured networking formats. The summit strengthens early international collaboration, bridging the gap between academic training and professional practice.
Spotlight On: Showcasing Works in Progress and Pitches
Also new this year are several WIP and pitching sessions, including the EFM Far East in Progress WIP selection, and a new EFM partnership with EAVE Ties that Bind and Focus Asia (Udine Far East Film Festival). The curated showcase will present brand-new Asian films in post-production, ready to make their debut at fall markets and festivals.
Furthermore, under the new banner EFM Frontières Focus, five bold and innovative international genre projects in advanced financing, production or early post-production will be highlighted.
Country in Focus 2026: Morocco
In 2026, the EFM spotlights Morocco as its Country in Focus, highlighting the exceptional production landscape and co-production potential. Through curated pitching sessions, showcases, and networking events, the EFM spotlights one of the most dynamic creative countries in the MENA region.
Berlinale Series Market (February 15-18): Back with New Initiatives
The Berlinale Series Market (BSM) also returns with an expanded line-up of project-driven activities. Among this year’s highlights is Series Match, a new initiative presented in collaboration with Iberseries & Platino Industria, connecting Ibero-American and German producers working on early-stage series projects. The BSM also introduces “Series Talks” at the CinemaxX lounge, transforming the space into a networking and showcase hub.
DocSalon & Archive Market (February 13–17)
Partnering with FFF Bayern, the DocSalon is the Berlinale’s widely acclaimed networking platform for nonfiction professionals. On February 17, the Archive Market offers a dedicated platform for exploring restored classics, archival research, heritage re-releases and restoration. This year, a special focus on animated documentaries is part of the EFM Animation Days.
EFM Conference Programme (February 13–16)
From Feb 13 to 16, the EFM conference programme will bring together leading industry voices for four days of talks, masterclasses, and panel discussions. Participants will explore the most inspiring case studies and emerging trends shaping the current global film industry, including innovative business models, audience engagement, and market consolidation.
Funding & Programme Support
A range of national and international partners support the EFM 2026.
The EFM Industry Programme, with its various initiatives, is co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA. MDM Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung also funds the EFM Animation Days, while EFM Toolbox receives additional support from Hessen Film & Medien, the Canada Media Fund, and DocSalon from FFF Bayern.
The Film supports the Berlinale Series Market (BSM) and Medienstiftung NRW as lead partners, with additional support from Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (MBB) and Variety as media partner.
The European Film Market is part of Berlinale Pro, which unites the European Film Market, the Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and the World Cinema Fund. Berlinale Pro is the festival’s full-circle industry infrastructure that serves the global film industry as an incubator, enhancer, and supporter across all stages of film development, production, sales, and distribution.
Follow Us