EFM Animation Days Spotlights 28 Projects in Berlin

Berlin's European Film Market kicked off Animation Days on February 11, 2026, with 28 animation projects lined up for producers to pitch. The event gives filmmakers a chance to show their work to buyers before the Annecy Festival in June. It builds on Annecy's own showcase but offers a fuller slate right in the heart of the EFM.

Background

The European Film Market, or EFM, runs each year alongside the Berlin International Film Festival. This year, it opened its doors with a wide range of films, from dramas to horrors starring big names like Amy Adams and Emma Roberts. Amid the live-action titles, organizers added Animation Days for the first time. They picked 28 projects to highlight, going beyond the five shown in Annecy's recent Friday presentation.

Animation has grown as a big part of global film sales. Events like Annecy in France draw crowds for animated features and shorts. EFM organizers saw a gap and filled it with this new section. Producers from around the world brought their pitches to Berlin, where buyers from streaming services, distributors, and theaters gather. The lineup covers everything from dark historical tales to light family adventures, showing the range in animation right now.

Past EFM events have led to major deals for animated films. Buyers look here for the next hits in a market where animation pulls in billions. This Animation Days setup lets producers test interest early, before heading to Annecy. It comes at a time when studios push more animated content for all ages, with tech like stop-motion and CGI making stories more vivid.

Key Details

The 28 projects make up a strong mix of genres and styles. One standout is a romantic horror set during the Black Death. It follows lovers caught in plague times, blending scares with emotion. Producers say it mixes history with supernatural twists to grab viewers.

Another big draw is a time-travel story that's already getting talk. A group jumps through eras, facing changes in their own lives. The pitch notes tight animation and fast pacing to keep audiences hooked.

Highlighted Titles

• A stop-motion piece about kids in a magical forest near Portland. A teen leads a rescue in this family-friendly tale, with detailed hand-crafted worlds.
• A horror animation where teens battle a shape-shifting evil tied to their fears. It uses dark visuals to build tension.
• A sci-fi wedding gone wrong at a mountain spot, with strange guests crashing the party. The high-concept plot promises thrills.
• Romantic comedy with a transatlantic love story, swapping books and recipes between far-apart leads.

Producers presented these over two days. Five came from Annecy's list, but the rest were new picks. Sales agents like FilmNation, MK2 Films, and others handle deals for many. For example, one agent's rep said the slate shows animation's power to tell any story.

"This lineup proves animation can handle horror, time travel, and heart just as well as live-action." – Anna Lopez, producer on the Black Death project.

Buyers filled rooms to hear pitches. Some projects already have buzz for festival slots. The event wraps with follow-up meetings, where deals often start.

What This Means

Animation Days sets a new spot on the film market calendar. Producers now have a Berlin stop before Annecy, letting them build momentum. Buyers get first looks at projects that could fill slates for theaters and streamers.

For the industry, it means more eyes on animation sales. Live-action dominates EFM talk, but this section pulls in animation specialists. It could lead to quicker deals, as buyers see full packages early.

Small studios gain too. Many projects come from indie teams, using EFM to find partners. Big players like Laika show up with polished works, but newcomers pitch fresh ideas.

The mix of genres helps. Horror draws adult fans, time-travel pulls sci-fi lovers, and family tales aim at kids. This spread matches what viewers want now, with animation crossing borders easily.

Deal flow might pick up. Past EFM sales hit high numbers for animation. This year, with 28 projects, expect talks on distribution, funding, and co-productions.

Animation tech keeps advancing. Projects here use new tools for effects, making sales pitches stronger. Buyers note how these films stand out in crowded markets.

For filmmakers, it's a door to global reach. A Berlin nod can lead to Annecy premieres, then wide releases. Producers report solid interest already, with some follow-ups set.

The event ties into EFM's larger vibe. Stars and big films surround it, but Animation Days carves its own space. It shows Berlin's push to cover all film types.

As EFM goes on, watch for deal news. These 28 projects could shape animation lineups for 2027 and beyond. Producers leave Berlin with contacts, feedback, and maybe contracts in hand.