Launched newly in 2025, the Toolbox Distribution Academy is a three-year training and networking programme designed to empower a new generation of film distributors across Africa. Through cross-continental collaboration with the European film industry, the programme seeks to help build a self-sustaining infrastructure and create wider audience reach for African films while also enhancing the circulation and visibility of European content in Africa.

The Toolbox Distribution Academy trains seven to ten African professionals annually through a five-week residency in Europe culminating in participation in the Berlinale’s EFM. Over the course of 30+ in-depth and hands-on workshops, participants receive advanced training and mentoring from experienced European distributors, sales agents and industry experts in key aspect of film distribution. This joint initiative is designed together with leading industry professionals Torsten Frehse and Fabian Massah, building on their promising 2024 pilot project AEDA (the African-European Distribution Academy)

The EFM Toolbox Distribution Academy is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, MOIN Filmförderung, GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), Expertise France, NEUE VISIONEN, EWIP, DOK Leipzig, Filmfest Hamburg und Goethe Institut - Addis Abeba.