CresCine’s Closing Events and Conferences at the Berlinale 2026

The CresCine Consortium presents its closing academic conference and industry summit at the Filmuniversität Babelsberg and the Berlinale EFM 2026, bringing together leading researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to explore the past and future of European film in small markets. Over two days, the program combines academic presentations with strategic industry dialogues, culminating in the official launch of the CresCine's final, recommendations packed State of European Film Volume 3. These two events conclude three years of collaborative academia to industry research across European small countries, offering actionable insights for competitiveness of European film makers in an increasingly platform-dominated landscape. See the full schedule below and join us for the two exhilarating days of CresCine events in Berlin!

Friday, February 13th | Research Conference

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF

Directions to Filmuniversität Babelsberg

Schedule

9:00 | Registration

9:30 | Opening Remarks

Susanne Stürmer (President, Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF) and Manuel José Damásio (CresCine Coordinator, Lusófona University)

10:00 | Keynote: German Screen Production between Place Branding and Platform Localisation

Susanne Eichner (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF)

CresCine Final Results and Outcomes

10:30 | From Developing FIDA to the Role of Standards in EU Film Industry Development in Small Markets

Indrek Ibrus (Tallinn University)

11:15 | Coffee Break

12:00 | Small Film Markets: Comparative and Cross-Sectoral Perspectives

Jakob Isak Nielsen, Marius Øfsti (Aarhus University); Ivana Kostovska (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

12:45 | Innovations in Small European Film Markets

Heritiana Ranaivoson (Vrije Universiteit Brussel); Indrek Ibrus (Tallinn University)

13:30 | Lunch Break

14:30 | Talents, Production and Funding Ecosystems

Romanas Matulis (Baltic Film & Creative Tech Cluster); Sten-Kristian Saluveer (Storytek); Fiacre Muller (Munster Technological University)

15:15 | Platforms, Distribution and Exhibition: Strategies and Policies

Ivana Kostovska, Heritiana Ranaivoson (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

16:00 | From Domestic to International Audiences: Small Markets in Search of Competitiveness

Possidónio Cachapa, Manuel Damásio (Lusófona University); Jaka Primorac (Institute for Development and International Relations); Cathrin Helen Bengesser (Aarhus University)

16:45 | Coffee Break

17:00 | Presentation of the Culture & Creativity (C&C) KIC: Strategic Topic Group on the Audio-Visual Sector

Martin Gordon (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF)

17:20 | Industry Roundtable: The Future Sustainability of Film Industry in European Small Markets

With industry stakeholders and policymakers discussing CresCine research outcomes

18:00 | Research Conference Closing

Saturday, February 14th | Industry Conference

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Mirror Tent, Berlinale European Film Market 2026

Schedule

Official Launch: State of European Film Volume 3

9:00 | Arrival and Morning Coffee

9:30 | Welcome Note by Sten Saluveer (Storytek) & Manuel José Damásio (CresCine Coordinator, Lusófona University)

9:45 – 10:45 | Launch of State of European Film Vol. 3

Moderated by Sten-Kristian Saluveer

Speakers: Indrek Ibrus, Ivana Kostovska, Jakob Isak Nielsen, Marius Øfsti, Romanas Matulis, Cathrin Helen Bengesser, Manuel José Damásio

10:45 – 11:45 | Round Tables: What Future for the Film Industry in Small European Countries?

Dialogues with industry and policymakers

Moderated by Manuel José Damásio and Sten-Kristian Saluveer

11:45 – 1:00 PM | Closing Reception

Registration to the event: luma.com/crescinesummit