European Film Market (EFM)

The EFM is where rights to films are sold, not where cinemas are pitched. Sales agents screen titles to distributors in market screenings, and deals for territories are negotiated in stands and offices. It runs alongside the Berlinale festival and is organised by it.

For most cinema operators that means the EFM is not a natural fit. The exceptions are independent exhibitors who also distribute, programmers at larger arthouse circuits scouting titles early, and festival or repertory programmers who license films directly.

Access is through a Market Badge, applied for online, with an Online Market Badge for remote participants. Applications are assessed, and you need to show current professional activity in the film industry. A separate Buyers status, which gives priority access to market screenings, cannot be bought: it is allocated to a limited number of participants who select Acquisition / Buyer as their professional role. Rights holders can restrict screenings to buyers only, so an exhibitor without that status may not see everything.

The organiser notes that 2027 accreditation details will be published from autumn 2026; badge prices for 2027 were not published as of 26 September 2026.