Beki Probst Sets the Menu For Her 20th EFM

How do the 2008 attendance figures compare to last year?
As of January 23, we have 430 companies from 51 countries. 343 of these companies are in the Martin-Gropius-Bar (MGB), including 159 under the MEDIA umbrella, and 51 in the EFM Exhibitor Offices. In Comparison, in 2007, we had 259 companies from 46 countries (not counting the MEDIA sub-companies).

How do you accommodate everybody's demands?
This growth was already planned for the next five years, when we moved into the MGB in 2006. But we are already above what we had planned. To deal with that, you have to find solutions. Two years ago, we found the Exhibitor Offices. Next year, we won't have these premises because the building has been rented. However we do have a solution for the EFM's second location in 2009 which will offer better conditions. We will announce it very soon.

Our aim is to keep the market concentrated and close to the cinemas (31 screening facilities) and the festival. Of course, everybody's dream is to have one big exhibition centre in Postdamer Platz for the EFM, but we can't fulfil this dream. Let's not forget that there are also 60 offices in different hotels.

How do you decide which company is going to stay at the MGB or at the Exhibitor Offices?
When we moved to the MGB, it was very clear that to make it attractive for everyone, we needed flagship companies such as Focus Features, The Weinstein Company. We also chose to give priority to those companies that had been faithful to us over the years.

What are the countries the most represented?
We always have a big attendance from Europe (Germany of course, France, the UK). Because of the change of date of the American Film Market, we now have a stronger participation from the US and from Asia, in particular Japan. We also have new companies from Macedonia, Romania, Chile, New Zealand and Malta.

The core of our clientele is buyers (790 from 53 countries) and exhibitors/sellers. Producers come if they have new projects and want to discuss financing.

What do you think of the increasing number of smaller regional markets with pitching sessions for new projects?
I'm not sure what the real use is for those pitching sessions for two reasons: first of all, I just don't think there are enough films for all those markets. Secondly, true professionals need time in their offices, and every new trip means extra costs.

Is the Scandinavian presence steady and are exhibitors under the Scandinavian umbrella satisfied with their stand?
This year, we have 17 companies from Scandinavia (6 from Denmark, 4 from Sweden, 3 from Finland, 3 from Norway, and one from Iceland). Last year, we had 13 companies which is a 30% increase from last year. In terms of films, we have 25 Scandinavian films in the market. We've always had very close relationships with Scandinavians. They are very peaceful, always satisfied, and they love Berlin.

You have organized many interesting events this year: ‘Straight from Sundance', ‘Latin American Works in Progress', ‘Books and Berlin', and Industry debates focusing on ‘Digital Distribution'. Could you briefly tell us why you short-listed those events/debates?
‘Straight from Sundance' has been around several years. A few years ago, I had a discussion with Geoffrey Gilmore (co-director of the Sundance Film Festival) and we said: "why not organise something together as Berlin is straight after Sundance?" This year, we have 50 films from Sundance with ‘freshness guaranteed'. Most of them have sales agents, but two or three don't.

‘Latin American Works in Progress' was started by my colleague Karen Arikian. 100 works in progress from Latin America were submitted but only 11 have been selected.

‘Books at Berlinale' and the collaboration with the Frankfurt Book Fair is an idea of Dieter Kosslick. Today, our film industry really lacks good scriptwriters, which is why the current strike from US scriptwriters has such a huge impact on the industry. Many production companies try to make remakes, but they are rarely successful. Material based on books is another way to access good stories. So we thought that combining the Book Fair with the EFM was a very good idea.

Finally the debates on Digital Distribution are organised by our main sponsor Arts Alliance Media. Today people are wondering what the future will be with digital distribution, and we want to address this issue at length.

So you're 100% ready for your guests...
I just have one ‘motherly' concern for buyers. When I look at what we have programmed for the EFM 2008: 714 films, out of which 540 market premieres (films that were not in Cannes or at the AFM), and 1051 screenings over six days, I wonder how they will manage to see all these films. I wish them good luck!