30/12/2010

The European Film Market (EFM), held parallel to the 61st Berlinale (February 10-20), will introduce a new programme, German Cinema - LOLA@Berlinale, of titles nominated for the annual German Film Awards (‘Lolas’).

The new programme, which replaces the existing German Cinema series, is a joint project between the Berlinale, the German Film Academy and German Films, the national agency promoting local cinema. Films selected for the Lolas in the categories of Best Feature Film, Children’s Film and Documentary will be presented by their directors. German Cinema head Heinz Badewitz will host the programme.

Anther new element of this EFM is the introduction of mini-doc screenings at the Marriott Hotel as part of the Meet the Doc programme co-organised with the European Documentary Network (EDN). The popular daily sessions Meet the Distributors and Meet the Makers intended to facilitate networking opportunities for documentary film professionals will again take place at the EFM Lounge in the Martin-Gropius-Bau.

The other information and networking opportunity, EFM Industry Debates, which explores new trends and challenges in the film business, will again be organised in collaboration with trade publications Screen International, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. The fifth edition of the debates will take place from February 11-13.

In order to meet the needs of an industry in constant shift, the EFM will also increase its 3D screening rooms and present its numerous films on offer (666 in 2010) in 33 state-of-the-art cinemas. So far, official participation figures are not yet available but the EFM says exhibition spaces in the Martin-Gropius Bau and the Marriott Hotel are ‘nearly booked solid” and exhibitors from almost 50 countries are expected.