screen international is partnering with the European Film Market for the EFM Startup Program, which will take place as part of the Berlinale in February 2026.
The five-day platform will showcase cutting-edge technologies for the production, development and distribution sectors.
Ten international entrepreneurs will be selected to pitch their businesses to producers, programmers, financiers, sales agents and distributors. You will then be able to connect with top industry experts and gain access to funding information and opportunities.
For the first time in 2026, an industry jury will select the winning startups.
Selected startups will also participate in one-on-one meetings with producers and roundtables with industry experts. To prepare for the market, startups receive customized support through individual and group sessions, including comprehensive pitch training.
Last year’s EFM Startups included US-based Greenlit, an AI-enabled back-office solution that helps simplify workflows around contracting, financing, tax benefits and project management. Last year, we also saw the participation of US startups Producers PIN (Production Incentive Network), which provides tools and information for producers to finance their films, and Lithuania’s Perfection 42, which allows production companies to train models based on their own intellectual property.
From the UK, ALL-VP, an AI-powered lighting solution for virtual production, was selected by 2,025 participants. African Screen Intelligence was also pitched as an AI-powered platform that provides market intelligence on the African screen industry.
The application deadline is January 2nd at 13:59 (Central European Time).
(Tag translation) Berlin
