February in Berlin isn’t just synonymous with Golden Bears and red carpets. For those working in independent cinema, Berlinale means above all one thing: the European Film Market, one of the three most important international markets in the world alongside Cannes and AFM.
But why should an independent filmmaker invest time and resources to participate in the EFM? The answer is simple: because this is where the international co-productions that allow films to truly exist are built.
Berlinale 2026: Beyond Networking: Building Concrete Partnerships
The European Film Market is not a festival. It’s a real marketplace where producers, distributors, sales agents, financiers, and broadcasters meet to do business. Unlike more generalist events, here everyone has a precise objective: finding partners for concrete projects.
For an independent Italian filmmaker, this means direct access to European co-producers who can bring not only capital, but also specific expertise, access to national funds, and distribution networks in their countries. An Italy-Germany or Italy-France co-production isn’t just a sum of budgets: it’s a multiplication of opportunities.
The Hidden Advantages of International Co-Productions
Let’s talk numbers. An Italian film can access up to 40% tax credit on eligible costs. A film in co-production with Romania can add up to 45% Romanian cash rebate. With France, access opens to TRIP (Tax Rebate for International Production). We’re not talking about marginal percentages: we’re talking about the difference between making or not making the film.
But there’s more. International co-productions provide access to broader distribution markets, increase festival visibility (an Italian-French film can compete as French at Cannes), and open doors to funds like Eurimages and Creative Europe programs.
The problem? Structuring a co-production requires specific legal expertise. Contracts must comply with different regulations, the chain of rights must be crystal clear, and requirements for tax incentives must be verified before signing any agreement.
Meet Us at Berlinale 2026
This year I’ll be at the European Film Market from February 12 to 16 precisely for this: facilitating meetings, opening opportunities, helping independent filmmakers navigate the complex world of international co-productions. Not just as a lawyer reviewing contracts, but as a strategic partner who knows the market and can bridge creativity and economic sustainability.
If you have a project with international ambitions and want to understand how to structure a European co-production, write to me. We can schedule a meeting in Berlin and evaluate concrete opportunities for your film together.
CTA: Contact me for a meeting at Berlinale
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