Berlinale Co-Production Market 2024 Spotlights 35 Projects From 27 Countries
The Berlinale Co-Production Market 2024, scheduled from February 15 to 19 in Berlin, Germany, has selected 35 feature film projects from 27 countries. The projects, spanning diverse genres and themes, were chosen from a record 351 submissions, marking a 10% increase compared to last year. Women directors helm 19 of these projects, showcasing the festival’s commitment to gender representation in cinema.
The projects vary in budget from €800,000 to €5 million and include works by notable filmmakers such as Ayşe Polat, Radu Muntean, and Kamila Andini. Among the standout entries is the historical horror debut Meat by Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair from Ireland and I'm Coming For You by Cameroon’s Cyrielle Raingou, supported by the Berlinale World Cinema Fund.
Four early-stage projects are part of the Berlinale Directors section, featuring acclaimed filmmakers such as Narges Kalhor and Stephan Komandarev. Additionally, two projects will participate in the Rotterdam-Berlinale Express initiative, linking the Berlinale Co-Production Market and CineMart Rotterdam.
To encourage audience development, the newly introduced Gen Z Audience Award will grant €5,000 to a project selected by a Franco-German jury of young film students. Other significant prizes include the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award (€20,000) and the ArteKino International Award (€6,000).
Martina Bleis, head of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, emphasized the thematic diversity of the selected projects. “Filmmakers are exploring themes such as self-determination, dysfunctional families, virtual relationships, and capitalism, alongside dreams and belonging,” she noted.
The Talent Project Market, in collaboration with Berlinale Talents, will feature ten projects from emerging producers. Among the highlights are the latest works by Carl Joseph E. Papa from the Philippines and Rohena Gera from India.
The event’s Company Matching programme will showcase five companies, including Cinema Inutile (USA/Japan) and Yetu (Un)limited, a pan-African studio. With over 1,500 pre-arranged meetings, the event aims to connect producers with financiers, broadcasters, and distributors worldwide.
Since its inception, the Berlinale Co-Production Market has facilitated the realization of over 390 films, including recent festival successes such as My Favourite Cake and Don't Cry, Butterfly!. The 2024 event promises to continue this tradition of fostering international cinematic collaboration.