EFM Animation Days: A New Launchpad for Animation Projects

Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM) is expanding its focus on animation with the launch of EFM Animation Days, a three-day industry platform running from February 12 to February 14. The initiative aims to strengthen the visibility of both European and international animation, bringing together producers, financiers, sales companies, broadcasters, and distributors.

This inaugural event will showcase 28 early-stage animated feature projects across five pitching sessions, encompassing a broad spectrum of styles and target audiences – from commercial family entertainment to arthouse adult animation and animated documentaries. The program is a joint initiative between the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market (Mifa) and the EFM, signaling a growing recognition of animation’s importance within the global film industry.

The EFM Animation Days are structured around co-production, financing, and creative collaboration. The schedule includes pitch sessions, works-in-progress presentations, case studies, workshops, and targeted networking opportunities. A central highlight is the Annecy Animation Showcase at EFM, curated by Mifa, presenting five animated works in progress expected to premiere later in 2026.

The program kicks off on Thursday, February 12 with a spotlight on Canadian animation, featuring three projects curated by Téléfilm Canada. This will be followed by a spotlight on Central Eastern European Animation, showcasing five projects curated by CEE Animation. Friday, February 13 will see a series of further spotlights, beginning with seven projects from seven countries in an International Animation showcase at 9am. Later that day, the program will highlight German animation with eight projects at 2pm, and UK animation with five projects curated by Animation UK at 3:30pm.

The launch of EFM Animation Days comes at a time of significant success for animation globally. Recent box office figures demonstrate the genre’s growing appeal, with China’s “Ne Zha 2” grossing $2.25 billion, Disney’s “Zootopia 2” taking in $1.8 billion, and the European co-production “Flow” achieving recognition at the Academy Awards. These successes underscore the commercial and creative potential of animation, and the EFM is positioning itself to capitalize on this momentum.

The EFM Animation Days are not simply a showcase for completed films; they are designed to foster the development of new projects. The pitch sessions and works-in-progress presentations provide a platform for filmmakers to connect with potential investors and collaborators, while the case studies and workshops offer practical insights into the challenges and opportunities of animation production.

The focus on co-production is particularly noteworthy. Animation is often a costly and time-consuming process, and international co-productions can help to share the financial burden and access a wider range of creative talent. The EFM Animation Days are designed to facilitate these collaborations, bringing together producers from different countries and cultures.

The inclusion of the Annecy Animation Showcase further strengthens the event’s credibility and appeal. Annecy is widely regarded as the leading animation festival in the world, and its involvement lends prestige to the EFM Animation Days. The showcase will provide attendees with an exclusive preview of some of the most promising animated projects in development.

The timing of the EFM Animation Days, just before the highly anticipated animated feature “A New Dawn” plays in the Berlin main competition, is also significant. This will undoubtedly draw additional attention to the event and further solidify animation’s position as a major force in the film industry.

The EFM Animation Days represent a strategic move by the European Film Market to embrace a rapidly growing sector of the entertainment industry. By providing a dedicated platform for animation projects, the EFM is hoping to attract new participants and strengthen its position as a leading international film market. The success of this inaugural event will likely determine whether it becomes a permanent fixture on the EFM calendar.

Goodfellas, a vendor known for titles like ‘Arco’ and ‘Little Amélie,’ is also bringing ‘Lucy Lost’ and ‘Treasure Trekkers’ to Berlin’s EFM, further demonstrating the breadth of animation projects being presented at the market.