Call for EFM Doc and Fiction Toolbox Applications

FILMCO in partnership with EFM (European Film Market), is pleased to announce a call for applications for the 2023 EFM Doc + Fiction Toolbox Programme. Entry-to-mid level documentary + fiction film producers or producing filmmakers –  from Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados and St Kitts & Nevis – with a feature-length documentary or fiction film in development are invited to apply here. Two applicants will be chosen to participate in the Toolbox Programme – one doc applicant and one fiction applicant.

Under the guidance of a consultant and a coordinator, the Doc and Fiction Toolbox Programme is intended to endow documentary and fiction creatives with market intelligence, connections and a kit of transferable business know-how. 

With close links to the Berlinale, the European Film Market is one of the top three meeting places of the international film and media industries. Over a period of seven days, around 10,000 representatives of the international film and media industries – primarily producers, buyers and sales agents, distributors and financiers – come together to network, exchange, inform themselves and do business.

2023 Toolbox Programme Details:

• (ONLINE) In the preparatory phase (in December 2022): Participants will be paired with their consultants and their coordinator. Between December and the end of the EFM, they will have up to 4 online sessions with their consultants to receive feedback on their projects and strategic planning for networking on the EFM. Coordinators will help with any organizational and logistical advice on the EFM.
• (ONLINE) Before the EFM (25.01. – 07.02.2023): Participants will be assigned to a group according to their preferred time zone. Each group consists of about 10 participants. During this period, a 2.5-hour online workshop will take place every day of the week. Please note that participants may also receive homework for some of these workshops so you need to be available throughout this period.
• (IN PERSON) During the EFM (16.02.-22.02.2023): Participants take part in EFM matchmaking formats and Toolbox Community Building Sessions in Berlin. You will be required to stay in Berlin for 6/7 nights.

The workshops will cover the following topics:

Doc Toolbox

1.     Pitching Tools

2.     Funding & Incubators

3.     Sales & Distribution

4.     Press & PR

5.     Grant Writing

6.     Impact Producing

+ additional optional workshops (TBA)

Fiction Toolbox

1.     A to Z of Pitches

2.     Funding initiatives for underrepresented film creatives

3.     Sales & Distribution

4.     Development Deals

5.     Marketing & PR

6.     International Co-production

+ additional optional workshops (TBA)

Application prerequisites:

• Applicants should possess at least one feature-length project (60 minutes or longer) that is in development (preferably with some financing and/ or funding already secured) as well as marketing materials such as a mood reel, teaser or trailer/ promo.

• Applicants must be available to travel to Berlin and spend 6/7 nights to participate in the Toolbox Programme during the EFM (February 16 – February 22, 2023).

• Your passport must be valid for travel in February 2023, and must include necessary visas to travel to Germany.

The application deadline is 11:59 pm AST, November 16, 2022.

Breakdown of expenses associated with the Toolbox Programme

• Market Badge 295€ (early bear)
• Travel to Berlin
• Accommodation (6/7 nights)

FILMCO is committed to offering support to participants by paying for the Toolbox participation fee of 1200€ / participant and will work to provide partial support with accommodation and travel.