The European Film Market (EFM), the Berlinale’s industry platform and the world’s second-largest B2B audiovisual event, will expand and redefine its professional program in 2026 with a strategy focused on innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and intellectual property (IP) development. The market will run from February 12 to 18 alongside the festival, presenting an agenda designed to address the new dynamics of the global audiovisual business, shaped by shifting financing models, changing audience behavior, and rapid technological disruption.

The central pillar of this edition will be an expanded conference program bringing together around 100 international industry figures across four days of masterclasses, keynote talks, panels, and case studies. The emphasis will be on delivering practical, actionable tools across the entire audiovisual value chain, from development and financing to marketing, distribution, and audience engagement.

Financing will remain a core topic. Two masterclasses will be led by Alex Walton, Co-Head of WME Independent, and Timo Argillander, founder and CEO of IPR.VC. In addition, the Entertainment Finance Forum, organized in partnership with Winston Baker, will examine private equity strategies and international investment flows in the sector.

Beyond financing, the program will tackle structural industry shifts and emerging business models. Sessions will explore direct-to-consumer monetization strategies, data-driven audience development, innovative marketing approaches, and the rise of vertical and “liquid” content formats. Workshops hosted by ACE Producers and EAVE will focus on collective production models, regulatory frameworks, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on independent production and decision-making.

Among the key analytical highlights is a presentation by Dr. Marina Kosten of USC Annenberg, who will deliver an in-depth analysis of global film marketing trends and best practices in content positioning and audience connection. The workshop “Bridging Visions” will examine how vertical microdramas, AI tools, and branded content are reshaping audiovisual creation and circulation in Asian markets, opening new revenue streams beyond traditional release models. TikTok will also play a prominent role with a case study exploring how fandom engagement translates into box office impact, using Amazon’s hit Maxton Hall as an example.

The conference program will be complemented by daily “Consult the Experts” and “Meet the Festivals” sessions, where market participants can book one-on-one meetings with international professionals for tailored project advice. Speakers include Ron Dyens (Sacrebleu Productions), Sean Clarke (Aardman), Elisabeth D’Arvieu (Mediawan Pictures), Ada Solomon (microFILM), and filmmaker and essayist Mark Cousins, among others.

One of the major new initiatives for 2026 is the launch of EFM Animation Days (February 12–14), a dedicated platform aimed at increasing the visibility of European and international animation within the market. Over three days, 28 early-stage animation projects will be presented across five pitching sessions, spanning family entertainment, auteur animation, and animated documentary. The program will combine international showcases with national spotlights on Germany, the UK, Central and Eastern Europe, and Canada.

Highlights include the Annecy Animation Showcase at EFM, curated by the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market (Mifa), featuring five animated feature films in work-in-progress slated for release in late 2026. Case studies on The Amazing Maurice 2 and The Last Whale Singer will explore cross-border co-production models, real-time animation workflows, virtual production tools, and market positioning strategies. The challenges and opportunities of animated documentary will also be addressed, with projects such as the Emmy-winning Fritzi’s Journey serving as reference points.

Cross-media development will take center stage in EFM Beyond, a new program strand located in the Producers & Innovation Hub at Gropius Bau. In response to increasingly fragmented markets, the initiative promotes an IP-first, portfolio-based approach spanning film, series, animation, video games, XR, and branded content. Through producer workshops, a curated exhibitor selection, and a new Film-to-Game Accelerator, participants will be encouraged to act as IP architects and explore transmedia and hybrid financing strategies. The Cross-IP Accelerator Programme, developed in collaboration with Mifa and Spielfabrique, will also debut, offering mentorship, international networking, and pitching support for selected projects, with year-round continuity through Mifa and Gamescom. In parallel, a showcase will present French video game IP in an initiative led by Institut français Germany and the CNC.

The EFM Innovation Hub will once again serve as a focal point for emerging technologies, featuring demonstrations of virtual production tools, game engines, and real-time workflows. New this year is the Immersive Zone, a curated XR and VR space accompanied by workshops on expanding film IP into immersive formats.

Meanwhile, the EFM Startups program will hold its 12th edition, showcasing 12 international media-tech companies addressing challenges in production, distribution, rights management, and audience engagement. For the first time, the EFM Startup Award will be presented in collaboration with Screen International. Alumni from previous editions include Letterboxd, FilmChain, Respeecher, and Largo.ai.

The EFM’s industry program will take place primarily at the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation and is supported by Creative Europe – MEDIA, along with regional and international partners. With this expansion, the Berlinale’s market reinforces its ambition to serve as a strategic space where creative innovation and new business models converge with global audiovisual production.