The 22nd Berlinale Co-Production Market, which will take place from 15 to 19 February 2025, will present 35 film projects from 27 countries. These projects were selected from a total of 351 submissions - an increase of more than ten per cent compared to the previous year. The producersof the selected films will meet at the new event location Octogon on Leipziger Platz to meet potential co-producersand financial partners. The projects include both feature films that have already been financed with budgets of between 800,000 and 5 million euros as well as projects that are still in the early stages of financing. It is particularly noteworthy that 19 of the 35 selected films are directed by women.
To the directorAmong the funded projects are AyÅŸe Polat, Tatiana Huezo, Carolina Markowicz, Radu Muntean, Kirsten Tan and many other internationally renowned filmmakersinside. As part of the series Berlinale Directors will also present four new projects that are still in the early stages of financing, including films by Narges Kalhor, Valeria Hofmann and Stephan Komandarev.
Another highlight is the project I'm Coming For You from Cameroon by Cyrielle Raingou, which is being presented in co-operation with the Berlinale World Cinema Fund. The project tells the story of a self-confident woman who fights for her family's livelihood in an environment threatened by traditional structures and terrorism.
The topics of the projects are diverse and range from self-determination and identity to dysfunctional families and social problems such as capitalism, conspiracy theories and virtual relationships. Some of the projects also include humorous approaches to serious topics.
In the Talent Project Marketin co-operation with Berlinale Talents, ten up-and-coming producers will present their projects. These were selected from 203 submissions and include an animation project by Carl Joseph E. Papa from the Philippines as well as new works by Rohena Gera (India) and Ingrid Pokropek (Argentina).
New this year is the Gen Z Audience Awardsponsored by the Franco-German Youth Office. This prize is awarded by a Franco-German jury of film students and is aimed at projects that are particularly attractive to young cinema-goers between the ages of 20 and 28.
In addition to the price offer, there are numerous opportunities for networking and partnerships. At the Company Matching-Five international companies, including Cinema Inutile from the USA and Japan as well as Fünferfilm from Germany, will be presenting themselves in the programme. A total of over 1500 individual meetings will be organised in order towith international co-producersfilm distributors, TV broadcasters and other financing partners.
The Berlinale Co-Production Market has already contributed to the creation of over 390 films, including award-winning works such as Alcarràs (2022) and Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (2021). Many of the projects presented this year are also expected to be in international competition and at other festivals, which emphasises the importance of the market as a platform for international film production.
Image © Berlinale Co-Production Market 2024