EFM Conference Programme

The EFM Conference Programme brings together keynotes, conversations, masterclasses, presentations, and complementary community-building formats. It offers participants insights across all sectors of the screen industry and provides space for exchange and connection.

All Market Badge holders have access to the EFM Conference Programme, taking place at the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation, located just three minutes from Gropius Bau.

Discover the full Conference Programme 2026 via the pre-filtered EFM Event Schedule.

With a multitude of sessions covering the gamut, the full Programme offers something for everyone. Some highlights include:

Friday, Feb 13 | 10:00 - 11:30 Watch Video on Demand Now
Entertainment Finance Forum Berlin
in partnership with Winston Baker
A forward-looking forum on 2026 financing trends, European IP, global co-productions, and new funding strategies, plus a panel on navigating new financing challenges, AI integration and emerging distribution models, with insights from Ampere Analysis.

Friday, February 13, 12:00-13:00 Watch Video on Demand Now
A Fireside Chat with Mediawan's Elisabeth D'Arvieu
A Masterclass with Mediawan Pictures CEO Elisabeth d’Arvieu, on the studio’s rapid international growth, her perspective on the state of the industry, and how she champions talent and empowers creatives to make their best work.

Friday, February 13, 14:00-15:00 Watch Video on Demand Now
Financing at Scale: A Conversation with Timo Argillander
Multiple Oscar-nominee Marty Supreme is one of over 50 films financed by IPR.VC, Europe’s largest independent Film & TV investment fund, as Chairman and Co-Founder Timo Argillander shares how the company has raised over €200m and successfully navigated independent financing since 2014, in a fireside chat moderated by Hyde Park International’s Carl Clifton.

Friday, February 13, 15:30–16:30 Watch Video on Demand Now
The Big Picture 2026: New Industry Trends and Shifts
in partnership with Winston Baker
In 2026, producers must navigate an unstable financing and distribution landscape and decide if and how to integrate AI into their work. This session explores how YouTube-native content and distribution, AI-driven previz and (post-) production and vertical serial drama might open new financing paths, cost efficiencies, and revenue streams. Ampere Analysis provides market context.

Friday, February 13, 17:00–18:00 Watch Video on Demand Now
From Community to Box Office: How Fandom on TikTok
Drives Impact
in partnership with TikTok
Prime Video’s Maxton Hall proves how fandom drives results. On TikTok, creators and communities spark conversations enabling Prime Video to transform a #BookTok Bestseller into a record-breaking streaming hit. Discover the strategic playbook for turning cultural hype into measurable success.

Saturday, Feb 14 | 9:00–9:45 Watch Video on Demand Now
In Conversation With Jack Thorne
A fireside chat with acclaimed British playwright, screenwriter, and producer Jack Thorne, the creative force behind globally celebrated works including Adolescence and Toxic Town. In dialogue with Berlinale Series Advisor Rowan Woods, Jack will delve into his storytelling process and the evolution of his career, with a special spotlight on his latest series Lord of the Flies, featured in this year’s Berlinale Special Series programme.

Saturday, Feb 14 | 12:00–13:00 EFM Animation Days Watch Video on Demand Now
German Animation Studios in the Spotlight: Pitching Excellence
in partnership with MDM - Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung & MOIN Film Fund
Eight standout German animation studios pitch their vision in a fast-paced series of presentations and striking demo reels. This is followed by an expert-led discussion digging into how to collaborate with Germany’s animation landscape, from creative strengths to concrete opportunities and new access.

Saturday, Feb 14 | 12:00–13:00 EFM Animation Days Watch Video on Demand Now
How Can Indie Animation Claim a Seat at the Table?
in partnership with The Hollywood Reporter
Indie animation is now a proven box-office engine and major awards contender — yet it remains sidelined in financing and policy. Leading producers, financiers and creatives discuss what’s broken, what’s working, and what indie animation must do to claim its rightful place in the film industry.

Saturday, Feb 14 | 13:45-14:30 Watch Video on Demand Now
How to Thrive in a Challenging Market - Masterclass with Alex Walton
WME Independent’s Alex Walton shares practical strategies for financing, packaging, and selling films in today’s market.

Saturday, Feb 14, 14:45–16:00 Watch Video on Demand Now
Creative Europe MEDIA: Lessons for the Future
in partnership with Creative Europe MEDIA
What has been the impact of EU funding to the audiovisual sector over the past decade? The European Commission will present the results of an in-depth evaluation of the Creative Europe MEDIA programme and the lessons learned for future EU funding to the sector.

Saturday, Feb 14, 16:30–18:00 Watch Video on Demand Now
Pitch Perfect: Producers Showcase Projects Analysed by AI
in partnership with Largo
Largo continues its AI-powered pitching events, showing how data and AI are transforming film. Selected producers using Largo.ai present projects to EFM attendees, including financiers, distributors, and co-production partners.

Sunday, Feb 15, 10:00–11:00 Watch Video on Demand Now
Resilient by Design: Women Shaping Tech-Driven Businesses
in partnership with EPI
From film to games and emerging technologies, this panel explores how women are leveraging tech to build resilient production companies. Panelists share insights on sustainability, innovation, and navigating the opportunities and challenges of tech-driven creative industries.

Sunday, Feb 15 | 11:30-13:00 Watch Video on Demand Now
Das Leben Der Anderen: Understanding and Collaboration in the Film Sector
supported by Europa Distribution
A discussion on collaboration and collective action to strengthen the reach of independent European cinema.

Sunday, February 15, 14:00–15:00 Watch Video on Demand Now
Building the Future of Screen Industries: EFM Startups Pitch
in collaboration with Screen International
EFM Startups Pitch brings together 12 startups from across Europe and beyond, presenting practical tools already being tested across the screen industry value chain. From creative development to distribution, the session highlights how creativity and technology are shaping the future of screen industries.

Sunday, February 15, 15:30–16:30 Watch Video on Demand Now
A Fireside Chat with Award Winning Producer David Kaplan
in partnership with Variety
Join David Kaplan, producer of Josephine, the Sundance breakout film which will compete at the Berlinale, for a fireside chat with Variety. Kaplan will discuss Josephine's journey from development to global recognition and the evolving landscape of international independent cinema.

Monday, February 16, 10:00–11:00 Watch Video on Demand Now
Marketing That Works: Turning Change into a New Advantage
Distribution models, formats and audience behavior are changing — but how can these shifts become a competitive advantage? In a follow-up to last year’s session, industry experts share data, case studies and strategies for turning change into effective marketing.

Monday, Feb 16 | 11:30-12:30 Watch Video on Demand Now
New Formats, New Opportunities: An Asian–European Perspective
supported by Bridging Vision
A panel with Asian and European producers explore new formats, financing models, and cross-border collaboration shaping the future of content.

Monday, February 16, 17:00–17:30 Watch Video on Demand Now
Bringing Heritage Alive: A Fireside Chat with Shivendra Singh Dungarpur
Archive Market
An in-depth conversation with Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, founder of Film Heritage Foundation, on film heritage, preservation, and the future of classic cinema. This fireside chat explores how film history deepens contemporary viewing experiences and how heritage can be brought to new audiences.

Full programme details are listed in the EFM Event Schedule 2026.
Please make sure to be logged in with your EFM credentials to view our Videos On Demand.
More VODs are available from Berlinale Series Market, DocSalon and Animation Days

The EFM continues its commitment to mental health within the media industry by offering all participants a dedicated Room of Stillness—a space for rest, reflection, and recharging during the market.

Pause & Centre at Room of Stillness

In addition, Centre @ Room of Stillness hosts three guided 30-minute meditation sessions on Monday. No equipment is required; participants are welcome to simply drop in and unwind.