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FIRST LOOK – EFM 2026 (Berlin) 

Berlin, Germany, February 11 to 18, 2026

CALL FOR ENTRIES

(Narrative feature films currently in post-production) 

Organized by Telefilm Canada, FIRST LOOK at EFM is an export and promotion initiative that will showcase a selection of 6 to 8 Canadian excerpts of narrative features to the international acquisition community at the European Film Market (Berlin). 

The aim of the showcase is to promote Canadian feature films with export potential, with an objective of finding an international sales agent. 

Telefilm Canada will set a market screening at the EFM to present the 45-minute showreel. Sales agents, distributors and festival programmers will be targeted, invited and solicited by a specialist to attend the screening. It is also a selection of films that should hit the international festival circuit and market in 2026. 

Selection will be based on the information requested in the form. An excerpt from the film will only be required at a later stage if the film is selected.   

Starting in December, selected participants will have a private meeting with a Montreal specialist to discuss an export strategy for their film. The specialist will promote the EFM screening, provide post-market follow-up with sales agents, as well as a report to each participant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS 

To be considered eligible, an applicant must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be a Canadian controlled corporation, as determined under sections 26 to 28 of the Investment Canada Act. 
  • Have its head office in Canada and carry out its activities in Canada. 
  • Operate as an audiovisual production company. 
  • Be in the search for an international sales agent for the submitted project. 
  • If selected, be able to produce and deliver to Telefilm Canada a file that includes an excerpt (6 minutes) of the film by January 9, 2026. 
  • If selected, be available to participate in a virtual meeting with the consultant in December. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FILM 

To be considered eligible, a film must: 

  • Be a narrative feature length film financed in production by the Canada Feature Film Fund. 
  • Not have a sales agent attached to the film. 
  • Be at the post-production phase. 
  • Be directed by a Canadian director. 
  • If the film is a coproduction, be recognized as a majority treaty coproduction by the Minister of Canadian Heritage. 
  • Be aimed primarily at the theatrical market, with a strong potential for international sales. 
SUBMIT HERE
  • This Call for Entries will be submitted through Dialogue Events
  • Please consult the User Guide to submit your application

SELECTION CRITERIA  

Telefilm Canada will select 6 to 8 films to participate in this initiative. Decision-making will be based on qualitative information to select the projects with the best potential for success on the international market. The following criteria will serve as a guide, and no specific weighting will be attributed to each of the components: 

  • International track record of the applicant production company. 
  • International track record of the filmmaker. 
  • Creative elements of the project, including originality and quality of the synopsis. 
  • The marketability of different elements of the film (e.g. renowned director, screenwriter, and/or performer(s), genre of the film, etc.). 

In addition, decision making may consider region of applicants to ensure a balanced portfolio of projects that reflects a variety of regions across Canada. 

MORE INFORMATION

If you have questions about the initiative, you may contact Danielle Belanger.

Promotion and Communciations 
Telefilm Canada, Montreal  
dl-festivals@telefilm.ca   
1 800 567-0890