“To maximize the progressive adaptation of our structures and organization to cope with constant change”.
This is how Beki Probst, director of the European Film Market, defines the objective of this event.

And according to the figures for the 2008 edition, to be held from 7th “” 17th February at the Martin Gropius Bau, during the 58th Berlinale, they appear to have hit the mark.

On January 14th the number of movies registered for market screenings totaled 706, of which 541 market premieres.
Plus 420 exhibitor companies from 50 countries: 44 new companies and four countries attending the EFM for the first time this year – Macedonia, Romania, Chile and New Zealand. As usual, the lion’s share is taken by Germany, the United Kingdom, France and the United States.
According to the data available on January 14th, 650 buyers are expected to attend from 51 countries, although these are just interim figures.
New companies are arriving from Argentina, the USA and Australia, and the number of Korean buyers is also rising significantly, confirming the growing Asian presence.

“Ever since the AFM changed its dates, we can truly say that there has been an “˜expansion’ towards the Asian professionals who were previously unable to attend both events due to the proximity of the dates.”

The new dates for the American Film Market, which led to the closure of Mifed, were behind the big change at the EFM which, from 2006, has moved to the Martin Gropius Bau in order to cope with the higher attendance and consequent new challenges.

These changes were handled with great care by the organizers.
“Back in 2005 we contacted the McKinsey Consulting Group to program the move”, continues Ms. Probst. “We still work with them and their help has been invaluable in terms of planning, financial advice and infrastructures. We still meet regularly to try to understand the direction in which the market is moving and how to manage the big changes taking place.”

Undoubtedly digital distribution and sales are amongst the most urgent topics to be discussed at the “EFM Industry Debates”, to be held from 8th “” 10th February, in collaboration with Arts Alliance Media, the official sponsor.
The “Digital Home” and “Digital Cinema” will be discussed at the Marriott Hotel: with these events the EFM aims to consolidate its collaboration with the Marriott which, for the second year running, will also be hosting three “Video Studios”.

A number of fringe events have also been confirmed: “Straight from Sundance”, showcasing movies from the recent US festival, “Latin American Works-in Progress”, the forum dedicated to young Latin American talents, and the Co- Production Market, to be held from February 10th “” 12th at the “Berlin House of Representation”, right opposite the Martin Gropius Bau.

In collaboration with the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Co-Production Market will again this year be holding “Breakfast&Books” (February 12th), where producers can meet with representatives from publishing houses who can give them suggestions for future cinematographic dramatizations.