Winston Baker’s Entertainment Finance Forum Berlin returns with a sharp focus on the evolving world of global entertainment finance.

This year, we spotlight cutting-edge sales strategies, the surge of international co-productions, and the intersection of creativity and capital in today’s industry.

Join top executives and thought leaders as they share actionable insights on securing funding, navigating co-production complexities, and staying authentic while delivering for audiences and investors alike.

Engage in an intimate Fireside Chat, hear exclusive success stories, and learn directly from industry visionaries driving the future of entertainment finance.

Walk away with the knowledge, connections, and inspiration to thrive in 2025’s global entertainment ecosystem. Don’t miss it!

LOCATION

The Event Hall, Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation
Stresemannstr. 90, 10963 Berlin.

https://www.efm-berlinale.de/en/industry-sessions-ms/about/venue/venue.html

OPEN TO EVERYONE WITH AN EFM BADGE! No further registration is required…just arrive before 10:30am to get a spot!

PROGRAM

(subject to updates)

10:30am – 10:35am

Welcoming Address

Amy Baker - CEO and Co-Founder, WINSTON BAKER

10:35am – 11:15am

State of the Industry; State of Finance

Join us for an all-encompassing exploration of the evolving entertainment industry in 2025, where innovation meets opportunity in global film financing and technology adoption. 

As streaming models shift, AI advances, and consumer behaviors evolve, this panel will delve into how filmmakers, producers, and financiers are navigating these changes while reshaping the global entertainment landscape.

Explore:

- The dynamic collaboration between U.S. private equity and European soft money

- Strategies to mitigate financial risk while unlocking creative potential

- Emerging trends and technologies driving growth such as AI and its impact on global markets

 - Discover how industry leaders are transforming disruption into opportunity, redefining success, and positioning themselves at the forefront of global entertainment in the years ahead.

Moderator:

TBA

Panelists:

Chandler Heinz Laun - COO, FilmHedge

David Lancaster - Academy Award-Nominated Producer & CEO, Rumble Films

Mohamed Hefzy - Producer, Screenwriter & Founder, Film Clinic

Effie T. Brown - CEO, Gamechanger Films

11:15am – 11:45am

FIRESIDE CHAT - To be announced soon!

11:45am-12:30pm

The Power of International Partnerships & Co-Productions: Pushing the Boundaries of Global Storytelling

Co-productions represent not only a financial strategy but also a creative and cultural force that pushes the boundaries of global storytelling. 

By joining resources, sharing risks, broadening audiences, and enhancing sales and distribution networks, they enable filmmakers to create ambitious, and universally appealing content.

This dynamic panel brings together experts to discuss the transformative power of international collaborations, exploring how changing audience demographics are reshaping the priorities for partnerships, moving decision-making away from ‘playing it safe’ to strategies that truly connect with global audiences.

Discover how these partnerships and co-productions are reshaping the entertainment landscape by blending financial strength, creative diversity, global reach, and innovative distribution strategies. 

Learn how to "remake the wheel" of producer deals to adapt to the evolving business model, from leveraging internal development to building producer collectives while addressing regulatory challenges.

Dive into:

• The rising role of streaming in driving international collaborations.

• How changing audience demographics should be considered when looking for international partnerships 

• Rethinking producer deals to pivot and maximise opportunities in a shifting industry.

• How effective sales and distribution strategies amplify the impact of co-productions

• Strategies to build slates that tackle key challenges, such as local-for-local, local-for-global approaches

• Navigating cultural, legal, and regulatory complexities in co-productions.

• Exploring the role of AI as a tool for identifying talent and enabling collaborations.

Join leading voices as they uncover bold strategies to unlock new opportunities for global storytelling. This is a session you don’t want to miss!

Moderator:

TBA

Panelists:

Delphine Perrier - COO, Highland Film Group (HFG)

Rula Nasser - Producer & Founder, The Imaginarium Films

Neerja Narayanan – Multi-Hyphenate Producer, Studio Executive, Writer

FORUM CONCLUDES