Photo Recap: The Berlinale (2026)

If there are no photos, it didn’t really happen, right?

The European Film Market (EFM) during the Berlinale festival remains one of our absolute favourite markets to attend. It's always wonderfully overwhelming and completely exhilarating, and if international co-production is on your radar, it's simply unmissable. This marked our third time in Berlin and, as always, it felt like a reunion and a discovery all at once.

This year also brought a special spotlight on Morocco, featured as Country in Focus under the leadership of the Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM). Through presentations of films, projects in development and works in post-production, Moroccan cinema revealed the richness and vitality of a film industry that continues to grow on the international stage. We were fortunate to cross paths with several Moroccan filmmakers and industry professionals, and had a few truly inspiring conversations that we hope will lead to beautiful co-production opportunities in the near future.

I also had the joy of reconnecting with dear Canadian collaborators like Daniela Mujica, Eric Idriss Kanago and Arantza Maldonado, as well as my fellow francophone producers from l’APFC, David Baeta, Simon Madore and Krystel Viduka, while also meeting inspiring new filmmakers at the delicious Ontario Creates dinner, including Javiera Quintana and Stuart Henderson, and crossing paths with the lovely Nancy Florence Savard from Quebec City.

Beyond the whirlwind of reunions, and my regret at not capturing more photos, Berlin was also a meaningful space to nurture valued partnerships, with two exciting collaborations now in the works, one with Cyprus and one with Romania (it's still a secret!).

Of course, it was not all social. There were pitches to attend, conferences to absorb and bold, contagious creativity everywhere. This year’s spotlight on Animation and Archives was a particular highlight. I even managed to catch a few films, including one I cannot wait to tell you more about, but that will be for next time.