European Film Market Comes to a Successful Close

Officials from the European Film Market 2009 (EFM) reported that business was good despite the difficult global economic situation. Beki Probst, Market Director, said the event "was an EFM of mixed emotions, yet market activity remained stable".

This year, 408 companies from 55 countries presented their latest films and projects to more than 6,300 international experts. Ninety-seven companies participated in the Market for the first time. The number of buyers equaled that of last year. During the EFM 2009, 700 films, of which 522 were market premieres, were shown at 1073 screenings. Beki Probst summarized by saying, “We provided an excellent infrastructure. Our participants were satisfied and our services, well received."

Exhibitors, buyers and experts showed great interest in the three "EFM Industry Debates" organized with the Commerzbank, and the magazines Screen International, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. On three consecutive afternoons, some 600 participants discussed opportunities and possible solutions for the film industry during the current financial crisis.

On one of the afternoons, celebrated film journalists, representatives, and financial backers from around the world discussed the possibilities and opportunities emerging as a result of the global financial and economic crisis. They explored the ways international markets are changing and the opportunities that creates. On another afternoon, the participants discussed how to find the right financing for a film, and when new strategies and technologies will revolutionize distribution. The third topic explored the implications of the increasing frequency with which major studios from the USA are producing films in collaboration with companies from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The response to the new EFM initiative "Meet the Docs" was also very positive. Presented in conjunction with the European Documentary Network (EDN), this service was for all professionals with a focus on documentary film.

Overall, at the end of this turbulent Market, the film industry expressed optimism about the future. Variety reported on the eighth day of the EFM, that sellers were reassured, because they were departing from Berlin in the knowledge that "the right projects were still generating healthy interest from buyers".

More facts and figures of the EFM 2009 are available at www.efm-berlinale.de