The 21st edition of the Berlinale Co-Production Market is scheduled for February 17th to 21st, 2024.
By Helena Olori
African filmmakers have been presented another opportunity to participate in the Berlin International Film Festival, as submissions for films and series for the Berlinale Co-Production Market have been announced. The submission window is open from August 16th until September 21st, 2023, for film projects, and till October 5, 2023, for series projects.
The initiative offers producers from across the world (including African filmmakers) who need co-producers and financiers, funding opportunities for the 21st edition, scheduled for February 17th to 21st, 2024. This is ahead of the main Berlinale International Film Festival event.
Submitted projects are expected to have a budget ranging from one to twenty million euros, and at least, 30% financing from the native country before selection, with exceptions for projects with lower budgets. The market will select about 20 feature films from the submissions, with the official selection confirmed in January.
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For series producers, the Co-Pro Series allows them to present their new drama series projects to suitable co-producers and financiers.
The Berlinale Co-Production Market will then set up tailored meetings with distributors, sales agents, and financiers for all the selected projects. Producers and financiers aiming to initiate co-productions can apply for participation starting in November.
In addition, every year, the market introduces Company Matching, a showcasing with international companies. This allows publishers and literary agents to submit their materials for the “Books at Berlinale” pitch event.
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Since its inception, the Berlinale Co-Production Market has facilitated the successful completion of over 350 feature films and 20 series projects.
The initiative, which is part of the Berlinale Film Festival, is a five-day event that brings together over 600 international industry professionals for co-productions and financing of new feature films and series projects, alongside the European Film Market, Berlinale Talents, and World Cinema Fund.
Interested filmmakers can obtain submission forms here.