Posted by Larry Gleeson
Spain Becomes the European Film Market’s “Country in Focus” at the 75th Berlinale in 2025
Spain will be the “Country in Focus” at the upcoming edition of the European Film Market. Its many filmmakers make Spain a dynamic and strong European film location with international appeal, as well as a long-standing and successful tradition of numerous films in the festival programme as well as at the EFM and in the Berlinale’s industry initiatives.
Continuing an initiative that started in 2017, the EFM annually places a major film region in the spotlight with its “Country in Focus” programme. The country’s film industry and creative work will be presented from a multifaceted point of view, new stimulus will be provided, and international connections promoted. After Mexico, Canada, Norway, Chile, the Baltic States and Italy, the “Spain in Focus” programme will examine the Spanish film scene and offer numerous opportunities for dialogue with producers, distributors, investors and film industry experts across the entire genre spectrum – from animated film to drama and series.
“Spanish filmmaking has enriched the Berlinale programme for decades. Many hundreds of Spanish productions, created by outstanding and acclaimed talents, have dazzled audiences and juries alike, with nine films having won the festival’s highest accolade, the Golden Bear for Best Film: Carla Simón’s beautiful Alcarràs in 2022 being the most recent of these. Pedro Almodóvar also has an important place in Berlinale history, since his world premiere of La ley del deseo won the very first TEDDY AWARD as it premiered in Panorama in 1987. Through the years, the Berlinale has welcomed countless distinguished Spanish filmmakers as jury members, festival guests and emerging talents. We are so looking forward to celebrating the Spanish film industry at the upcoming European Film Market,” says Festival Director Tricia Tuttle.
Spain is firmly committed to the expansion of sustainable film production and forward-looking digitalisation of the film sector. Thanks to attractive tax incentives and subsidies, the EFM 2025 focus country is also in great demand as a film location for international co-productions. In addition to the well-known film locations, Madrid and Barcelona, regions such as the Basque Country, Catalonia, Galicia, the Canary Islands and Andalusia also enjoy a vibrant film industry with unique regional features.
“The Spanish film and media industry has solidified its reputation and global acclaim to become a European powerhouse thanks to creative excellence, targeted investments, and technological innovations, enjoying a strong international presence with high-quality content and originality,” Berlinale Pro* Director Tanja Meissner commented. “The country offers competitive tax incentives, co-production agreements, and a strong industry infrastructure.”
“The European Film Market is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful platforms for European cinematography and Spain being a ‘Country in Focus’ will allow us to make visible the enormous talent of the Spanish industry in all its areas: creation, production, distribution and the global positioning of our cinema. That is the task and pride of this Ministry of Culture: to support and make known our film industry, our creators, and to allow Spanish cinema to continue growing, as it already is, in the global market and among viewers around the world”, says Spanish Minister of Culture Ernest Urtasun.
The European Film Market will take place from February 13-19, 2025, in the context of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.
