Ongoing protests in Berlin against the war in Gaza — a conflict triggered by the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 — reached former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and attendees of the Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market this week following concerted efforts by some international cultural workers to boycott and target German cultural institutions.
Clinton, in town for the Feb. 19 World Forum event organized by Cinema for Peace, was met by loud protests, criticizing U.S. support for Israel, as she began speaking on stage. Cinema for Peace organizers dismissed the action, saying: “Seven out of 1,000 guests expressed a different opinion, not a special occurrence to comment on in a democracy with free speech.”
The event followed a Feb. 18 protest at the EFM, where activists laid down on the front steps of the Gropius Bau drenched in mock blood with a sign reading, “Welcome to the Red Carpet.
Clinton, in town for the Feb. 19 World Forum event organized by Cinema for Peace, was met by loud protests, criticizing U.S. support for Israel, as she began speaking on stage. Cinema for Peace organizers dismissed the action, saying: “Seven out of 1,000 guests expressed a different opinion, not a special occurrence to comment on in a democracy with free speech.”
The event followed a Feb. 18 protest at the EFM, where activists laid down on the front steps of the Gropius Bau drenched in mock blood with a sign reading, “Welcome to the Red Carpet.
- 2/24/2024
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM) has posted a record of number of visitors for its 2024 edition, with more than 12,000 professionals from 143 countries attending this year.
But there was a 3% dip in registered buyers to 1,263, against 1,302 in 2023.
There was talk this year among TV professionals that the scrapping of the festival’s Berlinale Series TV screenings had led to a fall in TV buyers attending the EFM.
However, in response to a question on this rumor, the EFM told Deadline that the number of TV buyers was the same as 2023, without providing exact figures.
There was also a 14% drop in the number of film and series screening in the market, with 664 films and series shown in 728 onsite screenings and 301 online screenings, for a total of 1,029 screenings. There were 536 market premieres.
By comparison, in 2023, 773 films and series were shown in 906 onsite screenings and 647 online screenings, for a total of 1,533 screenings. There were 599 market premieres last year.
But there was a 3% dip in registered buyers to 1,263, against 1,302 in 2023.
There was talk this year among TV professionals that the scrapping of the festival’s Berlinale Series TV screenings had led to a fall in TV buyers attending the EFM.
However, in response to a question on this rumor, the EFM told Deadline that the number of TV buyers was the same as 2023, without providing exact figures.
There was also a 14% drop in the number of film and series screening in the market, with 664 films and series shown in 728 onsite screenings and 301 online screenings, for a total of 1,029 screenings. There were 536 market premieres.
By comparison, in 2023, 773 films and series were shown in 906 onsite screenings and 647 online screenings, for a total of 1,533 screenings. There were 599 market premieres last year.
- 2/22/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
As the Berlinale Series Market celebrates its 10th anniversary, series continue to stand “side by side” with films at the German fest, observes EFM director Dennis Ruh.
“Bsm continues to be a beacon for all aspects of serialized content, even in years where space feels tighter with less films and series, giving selected titles more exposure,” he says, mentioning a “vibrant influx” of international professionals eager to showcase their shows.
Although the sidebar for series has been discontinued, they are present in Berlinale Special and Panorama sections. Apart from Netflix’s “Supersex” and “Dostoevskij” by Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, Berlinale Series Market Selects will spotlight 15 new shows.
“We prioritize narratives that captivate with their originality, championing diversity in representation, genre and geography. The goal is to amplify these stories, ensuring they receive the global attention they deserve,” explains Ruh, pointing out another important trend: comedy. “This might be a reaction...
“Bsm continues to be a beacon for all aspects of serialized content, even in years where space feels tighter with less films and series, giving selected titles more exposure,” he says, mentioning a “vibrant influx” of international professionals eager to showcase their shows.
Although the sidebar for series has been discontinued, they are present in Berlinale Special and Panorama sections. Apart from Netflix’s “Supersex” and “Dostoevskij” by Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, Berlinale Series Market Selects will spotlight 15 new shows.
“We prioritize narratives that captivate with their originality, championing diversity in representation, genre and geography. The goal is to amplify these stories, ensuring they receive the global attention they deserve,” explains Ruh, pointing out another important trend: comedy. “This might be a reaction...
- 2/19/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Dennis Ruh, the director of the European Film Market (EFM), is predicting a ‘very busy’ event as the film industry gears up for its first major post-strike market.
Ruh anticipates plenty of commercial English-language projects being presented at EFM, which runs from February 15-21, and that there will be a big contingent coming from the US.
“EFM is the first big market after the [writers and actors’] strikes, which means that many companies are coming with new projects that were held back,” said Ruh.
Ruh’s comments come amid a flurry of pre-efm package announcements from companies including A24, which is handling Celine Song...
Ruh anticipates plenty of commercial English-language projects being presented at EFM, which runs from February 15-21, and that there will be a big contingent coming from the US.
“EFM is the first big market after the [writers and actors’] strikes, which means that many companies are coming with new projects that were held back,” said Ruh.
Ruh’s comments come amid a flurry of pre-efm package announcements from companies including A24, which is handling Celine Song...
- 2/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
Berlinale’s upcoming European Film Market is promising to be one of the best attended editions in years on the basis of registration numbers to date and amid expectations of a post-Hollywood strikes boost.
“Around 600 companies will be exhibiting, with every official space sold out. There’s not a single corner left,” EFM director Dennis Ruh said of the market running in Berlin’s Gropius Bau exhibition center and the nearby Marriott Hotel from February 15-21.
This compares with 519 exhibitors at the same time last year. The number of territories represented has also increased from 59 to 69.
New territory exhibitors include Saudi Arabia, which will have an umbrella stand in the Gropius Bau, as well as New Zealand, Moldova and Greenland.
“I’m also happy to have India back at the market because they had no official delegation at the market last year. And this year, they will come with a big delegation,...
“Around 600 companies will be exhibiting, with every official space sold out. There’s not a single corner left,” EFM director Dennis Ruh said of the market running in Berlin’s Gropius Bau exhibition center and the nearby Marriott Hotel from February 15-21.
This compares with 519 exhibitors at the same time last year. The number of territories represented has also increased from 59 to 69.
New territory exhibitors include Saudi Arabia, which will have an umbrella stand in the Gropius Bau, as well as New Zealand, Moldova and Greenland.
“I’m also happy to have India back at the market because they had no official delegation at the market last year. And this year, they will come with a big delegation,...
- 1/30/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Dennis Ruh, whose departure as head of the Berlinale’s European Film Market after the 2024 edition was announced today, has expressed surprise that his contract has not been renewed and also questioned the festival’s new hiring protocols.
Ruh revealed he was being let go in an earlier statement because incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle had decided to appoint a new EFM head for the 2025 edition. The market boss said he had not been given a chance to discuss the matter with Tuttle.
News of Ruh’s departure, broke a few hours after the surprise announcement of Tuttle as the new Berlinale director, replacing Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek after the 2024 edition.
Ruh, who took up the EFM role in the fall of 2020 amid the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic, said he had expected better treatment on the back of the performance of the market’s 2023 edition, which he described as...
Ruh revealed he was being let go in an earlier statement because incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle had decided to appoint a new EFM head for the 2025 edition. The market boss said he had not been given a chance to discuss the matter with Tuttle.
News of Ruh’s departure, broke a few hours after the surprise announcement of Tuttle as the new Berlinale director, replacing Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek after the 2024 edition.
Ruh, who took up the EFM role in the fall of 2020 amid the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic, said he had expected better treatment on the back of the performance of the market’s 2023 edition, which he described as...
- 12/12/2023
- by Diana Lodderhose and Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The shake up at the Berlin Film Festival has begun.
Just hours after former BFI London festival director Tricia Tuttle was named to take over from Carlo Chatrian and Mariëtte Rissenbeek as the new head of the Berlinale, Dennis Ruh, director of Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM) is out.
Ruh on Tuesday confirmed he will be leaving the EFM after next year’s market, saying the Berlinale has decided not to extend his contract when it expires in March 2024. Tuttle will take over as the new Berlinale boss in April.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” Ruh said in a statement. “This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director. Therefore, the EFM in...
Just hours after former BFI London festival director Tricia Tuttle was named to take over from Carlo Chatrian and Mariëtte Rissenbeek as the new head of the Berlinale, Dennis Ruh, director of Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM) is out.
Ruh on Tuesday confirmed he will be leaving the EFM after next year’s market, saying the Berlinale has decided not to extend his contract when it expires in March 2024. Tuttle will take over as the new Berlinale boss in April.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” Ruh said in a statement. “This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director. Therefore, the EFM in...
- 12/12/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dennis Ruh, the head of the European Film Market, has issued a statement saying that he will step down from his position after the 2024 edition of the Berlin Film Festival.
Ruh unveiled the news of his upcoming departure in a letter sent to journalists shortly after Tricia Tuttle, the former head of the BFI London Film Festival, was announced as the new director of the Berlinale starting in 2025.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” said Ruh. He added that he hadn’t had a conversation with Tuttle and found out through “official channels.”
“I look back on three editions in which we created important momentum for the international film and distribution industry, initially even in the newly developed virtual format,” said Ruh. “With the...
Ruh unveiled the news of his upcoming departure in a letter sent to journalists shortly after Tricia Tuttle, the former head of the BFI London Film Festival, was announced as the new director of the Berlinale starting in 2025.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” said Ruh. He added that he hadn’t had a conversation with Tuttle and found out through “official channels.”
“I look back on three editions in which we created important momentum for the international film and distribution industry, initially even in the newly developed virtual format,” said Ruh. “With the...
- 12/12/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Dennis Ruh, director of the Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM), has announced his departure as head of the market after the 2024 edition.
Ruh said in a statement that Berlinale’s incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle had decided to appoint a new EFM director for 2025.
He said that his contract had been left to expire and that he had not been offered the chance to discuss its renewal with Tuttle, whose appointment was announced this morning.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” he said.
“This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director. Therefore, the EFM in February 2024 will be the last under my leadership.”
Looking to the 2024 edition, Ruh said the exhibition spaces were sold out,...
Ruh said in a statement that Berlinale’s incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle had decided to appoint a new EFM director for 2025.
He said that his contract had been left to expire and that he had not been offered the chance to discuss its renewal with Tuttle, whose appointment was announced this morning.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” he said.
“This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director. Therefore, the EFM in February 2024 will be the last under my leadership.”
Looking to the 2024 edition, Ruh said the exhibition spaces were sold out,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The end of the actors strike is particularly good news for the European Film Market (EFM), which expects a bonanza of new projects held up or postponed during the SAG-AFTRA walkout.
SAG-AFTRA members voted Tuesday to approve their new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing Hollywood’s major studios and streamers. The new deal, valued by the union at over $1 billion, will now take effect retroactive to June 9, and will extend to June 30, 2026.
EFM director Dennis Ruh said the Berlin market, which runs February 15 to 21, 2024, is poised to benefit as actors get back to work.
“This being the first market after the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strike, we are receiving positive, promising feedback from sales agents and other market participants,” says Ruh. “They will bring projects to the EFM which were interrupted temporarily or even held back but are ready to resume or be...
SAG-AFTRA members voted Tuesday to approve their new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing Hollywood’s major studios and streamers. The new deal, valued by the union at over $1 billion, will now take effect retroactive to June 9, and will extend to June 30, 2026.
EFM director Dennis Ruh said the Berlin market, which runs February 15 to 21, 2024, is poised to benefit as actors get back to work.
“This being the first market after the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strike, we are receiving positive, promising feedback from sales agents and other market participants,” says Ruh. “They will bring projects to the EFM which were interrupted temporarily or even held back but are ready to resume or be...
- 12/6/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: It’s been a year of evolution for the European Film Market and its TV track Berlinale Series Market. Management is changing at sister festival Berlinale, with Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian exiting amid worries about finances, and the number of films screened reducing.
Meanwhile, Berlinale Series boss Julia Fidel has also departed, with the track was discontinued as an independent program. Series will instead be highlighted as part of the Berlinale Series Gala — a move the festival thinks brings it closer in line with other European film fests such as Cannes and Venice.
Notably for the TV biz, the Berlinale Series Market industry conference remains unaffected and will be running a full program. Last year the likes of The White Lotus exec producer David Bernad, Shades of Blue creator Adi Hasak and The Tinder Swindler director Felicity Morris took the stage in sessions hosted by myself and Max Goldbart.
Meanwhile, Berlinale Series boss Julia Fidel has also departed, with the track was discontinued as an independent program. Series will instead be highlighted as part of the Berlinale Series Gala — a move the festival thinks brings it closer in line with other European film fests such as Cannes and Venice.
Notably for the TV biz, the Berlinale Series Market industry conference remains unaffected and will be running a full program. Last year the likes of The White Lotus exec producer David Bernad, Shades of Blue creator Adi Hasak and The Tinder Swindler director Felicity Morris took the stage in sessions hosted by myself and Max Goldbart.
- 12/6/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Berlin’s European Film Market has unveiled a new finance forum in collaboration with conference producer Winston Baker and the inaugural edition of AfroBerlin, focusing on the African film industry, among its new initiatives in its forthcoming edition, which runs Feb. 15-21.
Winston Baker’s Entertainment Finance Forum Berlin, taking place Feb. 16, “will bring an international perspective on the state of the industry when it comes to financing and funding film production,” EFM director Dennis Ruh tells Variety.
Winston Baker already organizes the International Film Finance Forum in Cannes. “We are opening it up more for entertainment,” Ruh notes. The idea for the Berlin forum, which originated at the American Film Market, enriches the EFM’s program by showcasing existing opportunities, particularly when it comes to working with private equity internationally.
While the EFM offers an expansive international focus, the event is taking place amid growing pessimism in the German...
Winston Baker’s Entertainment Finance Forum Berlin, taking place Feb. 16, “will bring an international perspective on the state of the industry when it comes to financing and funding film production,” EFM director Dennis Ruh tells Variety.
Winston Baker already organizes the International Film Finance Forum in Cannes. “We are opening it up more for entertainment,” Ruh notes. The idea for the Berlin forum, which originated at the American Film Market, enriches the EFM’s program by showcasing existing opportunities, particularly when it comes to working with private equity internationally.
While the EFM offers an expansive international focus, the event is taking place amid growing pessimism in the German...
- 12/6/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Italy will be the “Country of Focus” at the European Film Market In Berlin in 2024, reflecting the current flourish of the Italian film and TV industry and its growing international relevance and ambition.
The spotlight on Italy during the EFM will highlight the work of Italian filmmakers and offer an opportunity to network with local producers, distributors, investors and experts.
The official agreement was signed at Cannes in the Italian Pavillion by Berlinale managing director Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Roberto Stabile, head of special projects of Italy’s general directorate for cinema. Also on hand were EFM director Dennis Ruh, Nicola Borrelli, head of the film department of Italy’s culture ministry, and Venice fest chief Alberto Barbera.
During a panel Borrelli pointed out that the Italian government is currently in the process of boosting its incentives to support Italian film and TV exports.
Ruh noted that the Italian film and...
The spotlight on Italy during the EFM will highlight the work of Italian filmmakers and offer an opportunity to network with local producers, distributors, investors and experts.
The official agreement was signed at Cannes in the Italian Pavillion by Berlinale managing director Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Roberto Stabile, head of special projects of Italy’s general directorate for cinema. Also on hand were EFM director Dennis Ruh, Nicola Borrelli, head of the film department of Italy’s culture ministry, and Venice fest chief Alberto Barbera.
During a panel Borrelli pointed out that the Italian government is currently in the process of boosting its incentives to support Italian film and TV exports.
Ruh noted that the Italian film and...
- 5/21/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
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