The European Film Market (EFM), the Berlinale’s industry platform and the second-largest audiovisual B2B event worldwide, is set to further expand and refine its industry programme in 2026, placing innovation, cross-sector collaboration and IP-driven development at the heart of its strategy. Taking place alongside the EFM from 12-18 February, the programme reflects the evolving realities of the global film and audiovisual business, as producers navigate changing financing models, audience behaviour and technological disruption.

At the core of the 2026 edition is an enhanced conference programme, gathering around 100 international industry figures for four days of master classes, keynotes, panels and case studies. Designed to offer concrete, actionable insights, rather than abstract debate, the programme addresses the full audiovisual value chain, from development and financing to marketing, distribution and audience engagement.

Financing remains a central concern, explored through two high-profile master classes led by Alex Walton, co-head of WME Independent, and Timo Argillander, founder and executive chairman of IPR.VC. The Entertainment Finance Forum, organised in collaboration with Winston Baker, examines private equity strategies and international capital flows.

Beyond financing, the conference programme turns its attention to macro industry shifts and emerging business models. Sessions explore direct monetisation strategies, data-driven audience development, creative marketing approaches, and the rise of vertical and liquid content formats. Workshops by ACE Producers and EAVE address collective producing strategies, regulatory realities and the growing impact of AI on independent production and decision making.

Among the programme’s analytical highlights is a presentation by Dr Marina Kosten (USC Annenberg), offering an in-depth examination of global film marketing trends and best practices for content positioning and audience engagement. The “Bridging Visions” workshop focuses on how vertical micro-dramas, AI tools and branded content are reshaping creation and circulation across Asian markets, opening up new revenue streams beyond traditional release models. TikTok also features prominently with a case study examining how fandom-driven engagement translates into box-office impact, illustrated through the success of Amazon’s Maxton Hall.

The conference programme is complemented by daily “Consult the Experts” and “Meet the Festivals” sessions, allowing market participants to book one-to-one meetings with international professionals for tailored project advice. Among the speakers who will take part in the overarching event are Ron Dyens (Sacrebleu Productions), Sean Clarke (Aardman), Elisabeth D’Arvieu (Mediawan Pictures), Ada Solomon (microFILM), Mark Cousins and many others.

A major innovation in 2026 is the launch of the EFM Animation Days (12-14 February), a dedicated industry platform aimed at strengthening the visibility of European and international animation within the market. Over three days, 28 early-stage animation projects are presented across five pitching sessions, covering family entertainment, arthouse animation and animated documentary. The programme combines international and country-focused showcases from Germany, the UK, Central and Eastern Europe, and Canada.

A central highlight is the Annecy Animation Showcase at EFM, curated by the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market (Mifa), presenting five animated works in progress expected to premiere later in 2026. Case studies on The Amazing Maurice 2 and The Last Whale Singer (see the interview) examine cross-border co-production models, real-time animation pipelines, virtual production tools and market positioning. Workshops also address the specific challenges and opportunities of producing animated documentaries, drawing on projects such as the Emmy-winning Fritzi’s Journey. More information about the Animation Days and the full programme can be found here.

Cross-media development is further explored through EFM Beyond, a new programme strand hosted at the Producers & Innovation Hub at the Gropius Bau. Responding to increasingly fragmented markets, EFM Beyond promotes an IP-first, portfolio-driven approach to storytelling across film, series, animation, games, XR and branded content. Through producer workshops, a curated range of exhibitors and a new Film-to-Game Accelerator, participants are encouraged to rethink the producer’s role as an IP architect, and to explore hybrid financing and transmedia strategies. Also debuting is the Cross-IP Accelerator Programme, developed in collaboration with the Annecy Festival’s Mifa market and Spielfabrique. Selected participants receive mentorship, international networking opportunities and pitching support, with the programme continuing throughout the year and extending to Mifa and Gamescom. Meanwhile, a separate showcase presents French game IPs, rounding off a new cross-media initiative spearheaded by the Institut français Germany and the CNC.

The EFM Innovation Hub returns as a focal point for emerging technologies, showcasing virtual production tools, game engines and real-time workflows. New in 2026 is the Immersive Zone, a curated XR and VR showroom, complemented by workshops on expanding film IP into immersive formats. More information about the Producers & Innovation Hub can be found here.

The EFM Startups programme marks its 12th edition, presenting a curated selection of 12 international media-tech ventures addressing challenges in production, distribution, rights management and audience engagement. For the first time, an EFM Startup Award will be presented in collaboration with Screen International. Alumni of the programme include companies such as Letterboxd, FilmChain, Respeecher and Largo.ai. More information about EFM Startups can be found here.

The EFM industry programme takes place primarily at the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation. The programme is supported by Creative Europe – MEDIA, with additional backing from regional and international partners.