Berlin International Film Festival’s European Film Market (EFM): The “Baltic Countries in Focus”

17 Feb, 2023 by Helena-Reet Ennet

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NordenBladet – The 73rd Berlin International Film Festival’s European Film Market is set to return as an in-person event in 2023, with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania being the focus of the “Countries in Focus” program.

It is the first time that several countries have joined forces since the program’s inception in 2017. The “Baltic Countries in Focus” program aims to provide a platform for the three countries to showcase their filmmaking, network with producers, distributors, and financiers, and present their extensive film history, recent films, and media content. The initiative was signed by Edith Sepp, CEO of the Estonian Film Institute, Laimonas Ubavičius, Director of the Lithuanian Film Centre, and Inga Blese, Deputy Director of the National Film Centre of Latvia, among other officials.

“In the history of the Berlinale, films from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have consistently added interesting perspectives to the Berlinale programme. The three Baltic countries have consolidated their individual strengths by joining forces and thus have set a great example in Europe and beyond. Especially in times of increased collaboration, artists and industry professionals alike can learn from the innovative and collaborative Baltic approaches to culture,” says Mariette Rissenbeek, Executive Director of the Berlinale.

The event will take place from February 16 to 22, 2023, during the European Film Market of the Berlin International Film Festival.