European Film Market:
Crisis? Innovations, Opportunities, and Strategies - the 2009 EFM Industry Debates

With its new partner Commerzbank AG the European Film Market (EFM) is presenting the 2009 EFM Industry Debates (February 6 to 8) in cooperation with the magazines Screen International, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety.

Celebrated film journalists, representatives, and financial backers from around the world will discuss the possibilities and opportunities emerging as a result of the global financial and economic crisis. In what ways are international markets changing? What kinds of opportunities do new strategies create? How are film projects to be financed in the future despite the general credit crunch and a reduced willingness to take risks? And what kind of innovative concepts for distribution are required?

The EFM Industry Debates will cover the following topics:

Thinking Global, Acting Local
With increasing frequency, major studios from the USA are producing films in collaboration with companies from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. What are the consequences for the parties involved and for the international market? Is this a new model for the future? (Friday, February 6. In cooperation with Variety)

Aftermath: How to Finance Films in the Credit Crunch
The days of quick loans are over. Investors no longer just open their wallets. Presales have come almost to a halt as fewer companies with less cash compete for films. This is another impact of the general crisis. So what options do producers have? (Saturday, February 7. In cooperation with The Hollywood Reporter)

Distribution Revolution: New Business Models in a Global Crisis
How do we find the right financing for a film? And what is the best way to reach the right audience? Even before the current economic downturn, this topic was central because of the growing difficulty caused by diversified and thus fragmented markets, and the rising adversity of investors and financial partners to take risks. When will new strategies and technologies revolutionize distribution? (Sunday, February 8. In cooperation with Screen International)

Film journalists Ali Jaafar from Variety, Scott Roxborough from The Hollywood Reporter, and Michael Gubbins from Screen International will moderate the panels.

Specialists Olaf Stührk, Christine Wehrmann, and Achim Thielmann will debate on behalf of Commerzbank with experts from the international film industry. These experts will include Peter Buckingham (UK Film Council), Simon Fawcett (Aramid Capital Partners), David Hancock (Screen Digest), Jens Meurer (Egoli Tossell Film), Helge Sasse (Senator Entertainment), Bengt Toll (Swedish Film Institute, Audience Department), as well as Ben Waisbren (Continental Entertainment Capital).

The 2009 EFM Industry Debates will be held at the “Gropius Mirror" Restaurant (Niederkirchnerstraße, directly across from the Martin-Gropius-Bau) from 5 pm to 6 pm on February 6, 7, and 8. Cocktails will be served afterwards.

Admission to the EFM Industry Debates is free of charge for all EFM participants and accredited Festival visitors.

For more detailed information and the form to apply for the individual debates, please see our website: www.efm-berlinale.de