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European Co-Production - Legal and Financial Aspects

Essential Legal Framework | 26-28 November 2026 | Berlin







Starts
Europe/Berlin
Ends
Europe/Berlin
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About the Workshop:

In times of scarce resources and an abundance of content, co-productions are becoming increasingly crucial for the success of European films and series. However, their implementation has never been easy – and today the challenges are only increasing. The financing structures are shifting, audience habits are changing, and distribution models are constantly evolving.

So what’s next for co-productions? How have the recent upheavals in the industry changed the rules of the game? What lessons can we draw from the past year, and how can co-producers use these to move forward? And above all: How can companies along the entire value chain build lasting resilience in an industry that is constantly changing?

EUROPEAN CO-PRODUCTION directly addresses these complex issues. The workshop offers exclusive insights into the development of several current European co-productions as well as a comprehensive overview of the legal and financial aspects of co-productions. Look forward to insider insights, practical tips, and interactive sessions that will enable you to navigate confidently in the changing landscape of European co-productions.

This workshop is aimed at professionals from across the entire value chain – whether in the areas of financing, production, distribution, or rental of feature films or drama series – and imparts valuable expertise from renowned European producers and leading industry experts.

In addition, numerous networking opportunities and group activities provide the chance to connect with colleagues from across Europe and create space for new business partnerships and opportunities.



Format

  • on-site workshop
  • 3 days
  • Berlin
  • Travel Days: Arrival on 25 November, Departure on 29 November

Venue

The workshop will take place in the conference room of the Catalonia Hotels Berlin Mitte.

Participation Fee

690 EUR (including meals, excluding accommodation)

590 EUR with early bird discount until 18 October 2026.

Hotel Accommodation

We offer 4 nights at the Catalonia Hotel Berlin Mitte including breakfast for 512 EUR. These can be booked in addition to participation in the workshop.

Dates & Schedule

We will begin with a welcome dinner for all experts and participants on Wednesday evening, 25 November, at around 19:00 CET.

The seminar programme starts every day at 9:00 AM and lasts until around 5:00 PM CET.

Every evening, there will be communal dinners at around 7:00 PM CET in nearby restaurants. These are included in the workshop fee.

Scholarships

We offer a limited number of partial scholarships; detailed information on how to apply can be found further down in the section "Scholarships & Discounts."

  • Updated industry overview including the latest developments
  • Financial landscape in Europe and beyond
  • Financing strategies: public and private funding sources, banks and bonds
  • Revenue sharing and waterfall scenarios
  • Legal framework: bilateral agreements and the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production
  • Step-by-step analysis of a typical co-production contract
  • Case studies from current European co-productions
  • Practical tools and group exercise for developing a financing strategy
  • The current world of distribution and marketing
  • New players and business models in the industry
  • In-depth understanding of the current financial and legal frameworks for European co-productions
  • Expert tips and practical tools to protect your interests
  • Exclusive insights into current case studies
  • Contact with renowned producers and leading industry experts
  • Interactive sessions with space for questions and exchange
  • Opportunity to test and apply the acquired knowledge
  • Excellent opportunities for networking and collaboration in groups
  • An active and interdisciplinary group of participants and industry experts
  • Opportunity to build valuable and lasting business relationships with professionals from the audiovisual industry across Europe

16 November 2026

English

Yes

Catering

Lunch and dinner as well as coffee breaks and mineral water in the conference room are included in the participation fee. To simplify organisation and make it environmentally friendly, the meals will predominantly consist of vegetarian dishes.

Accessibility

If you have mobility restrictions, please contact the EPI team so that we can find the best possible solution to ensure your unrestricted participation.


Info session

The workshop sounds interesting, but you are not sure if it covers exactly the topics you are interested in? Then come to our information session!

Info Session

6 October

at 15:00 CET

Our Head of Study Joanna Szymańska and the EPI team will present the workshop and answer your questions.

Register now
  • free of charge
  • Online
  • approximately 30 minutes
  • Ask all your questions!
The event will take place via Zoom.

Head of Study 

    Joanna Szymańska

Polish producer and development executive, industry activist, Joanna is a graduate of Film Studies and Law. Alumna of international workshops including: EAVE, ACE and Torino Script Lab (Story Editing). Owner of the production company SHIPsBOY. In her 15+ years career she produced numerous shorts, feature-length fiction films and international co-productions. She is a founding member of Polish Producers Guild and a member of European Film Academy Board (term 2017-2023). Guest lecturer at film schools in Warsaw, Kraków and Łódź, she is currently working on her PhD at Lodz Film School.
Her recent credits include: OPERATION HYACINTH (dir. Piotr Domalewski; Netflix Original) critically acclaimed crime drama; winner of Best Polish Film Award at Camerimage 2021 as well as Best Polish Script at Gdynia FF; DETECTIVE BRUNO (dir. Mariusz Palej, Magdalena Nieć) family adventure comedy, Best Polish Film for Young Audiences (2022); MISSION ULJA FUNK (dir. Barbara Kronenberg, GER-LUX-POL) and ADVENTURES OF A MATHEMATICIAN (dir. Thor Klein, GER-UK-POL).

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(photo credit: Maciej Skwara)


Experts 2025

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Benjamin Cölle

My academic background includes cultural studies, political science, and African studies at Humboldt University Berlin (2003-2010), as well as Visual Culture at Goldsmiths, University of London (2009/10). My professional life in the international film industry began as a production assistant to Helge Albers and Roshanak Behesht Nedjad at their company Flying Moon (2010), and continued at INDI FILM in Stuttgart/Berlin, where I worked as a creative producer and author for award-winning film and crossmedia projects (2010–2017). Following my time as a film and cross-media producer at INDI FILM, I worked as a university lecturer and researcher in film production and distribution at Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF (2015 –2023). As my professional and academic focus evolved from film production toward distribution, my wife and I seized the opportunity to acquire the established world sales agency Pluto Film Distribution Network in 2022, which we have operated as managing partners since. I continue practicing Audience Design both within Pluto Film and as an independent consultant.

Helena Danielsson

Helena Danielsson is an award-winning Swedish producer with over 35 films and series to her name. She received the Prix Eurimages (EFA, 2012) for her work on acclaimed European co-productions. Her credits include "Beyond" (dir. Pernilla August), winner of the Venice Critics' Week Award; "The Childhood of a Leader" ("The Brutalist"-director Brady Corbet's debut), which won Lion of the Future and Best Director in Venice; and "Kiruna-Kigali" (dir. Goran Kapetanovic), Oscar-shortlisted. Other notable works include the Emmy-nominated "Smiling in a War Zone" (dir. Simone Aaberg Kærn), and "The Perfect Patient" (2020, dir. Mikael Håfström), which received several awards and had its international premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Also "Hilma" (2022, dir. Lasse Hallström), and "Stockholm Bloodbath" (2024, dir. Mikael Håfström) by Oscar-nominated directors. In 2025, she joined Nordisk Film Production Denmark that is part of the legacy 119 year old studio Nordisk Film. Danielsson is a member of EFA, ACE, and an alumna of EAVE, Screen Leaders and Inside Pictures.

 Marie Garrett

Marie Garrett is a seasoned industry leader with extensive experience in international film sales, acquisitions, and strategic business development. As SVP of International Sales and Acquisitions at XYZ Films, she oversees sales strategy and negotiations across European territories and leads European acquisitions and co-productions. XYZ’s current slate includes The Edge of Normal (Chloë Grace Moretz, Rupert Friend, dir. Carlota Pereda), Flesh of the Gods (Kristen Stewart, Oscar Isaac, Elizabeth Olsen, dir. Panos Cosmatos), TIFF Midnight Madness title The Furious (dir. Kenji Tanigaki), and Over Your Dead Body (Jason Segel, Samara Weaving, Juliette Lewis, Timothy Olyphant), set for release by IFC. Previously, Garrett co-founded Paris-based Pulsar Content, where as Managing Director she led strategy, sales, co-productions, and financing for projects including The Deep House (Julien Maury & Alexandre Bustillo; sold to Blumhouse/Universal) and Howl (exec. produced by Leonardo DiCaprio & Jane Goodall; dir. Elias E. Merhige). Earlier, she held key roles at BAC Films and Entertainment One, handling acclaimed titles such as The Leisure Seeker and the Academy Award-winning Spotlight.

Guido Hettinger

Guido Hettinger has been working as an independent lawyer since 1997. He is a founding partner of Brehm & v. Moers and member of the practice groups: Media, Entertainment & Advertising, and Commercial Property Rights & IT. After graduation, Mr. Hettinger was first engaged by a law firm in the City of London, before joining the law firm of Schwarzberg Brehm Wilde in 1997 - which in 2000 merged into today’s Brehm & v. Moers. Guido Hettinger represents clients both at home and abroad in matters relating to copyright, information technology, competition and commercial law, both in and out of court. A key focus of Mr. Hettinger’s work consists in project-related consulting and contractual drafting and negotiation for film and TV producers, advertising and promotion agencies or advertising companies, in matters of rights clearance, project financing and marketing. Moreover, he created and developed the standard set of agreements relating to extending and securing loans for a German film subsidy institute and advises a further foreign film promotion institution on concluding contracts with German funding recipients. Apart from managing individual projects, Mr. Hettinger acts as permanent consultant for a number of clients (external legal department) and legal counsels. The opportunity of involving colleagues from other disciplines extends his representation onto all medium-sized business legal issues, ensuring prompt and individual client representation from a single source. Guido Hettinger holds regular lectures and seminars on current legal issues surrounding copyright, media, competition and multi-media law. He is also a member of the Vereinigung der Hessischen Filmwirtschaft e.V. (Film Industry Association of the State of Hessen), Filmhaus Frankfurt e.V., the Frankfurt Society for Künstlerhilfe e.V., as well as a member of gamearea-FRM e.V.


Anna Kępińska

Born in 1975 in Wroclaw. Graduated from the Organisation of Film and Television Production at the K. Kieslowski Radio and Television Faculty of the University of Silesia in Katowice. In 1998-2008, she worked for the BESTA FILM group of companies. From the production and
production side, she has made many documentaries in co-productions with ZDF/ARTE and TVP.
Member of the Producers Guild of Poland (PGP) and Polish Filmmakers Association (SFP). Since 2003 she has been running TELEMARK sp. z o.o. as its co-founder, co-owner, board member and producer. As a producer at TELEMARK, she has produced award-winning documentaries, e.g. 'Entangled', 'Over the Limit', feature film 'Interior' (dir. M. Lechki) and feature series, e.g. 'Londoners' season 1-2 (TVP), 'In Treatment' season 1-3 (HBO), 'Pact' season 1-2 (HBO) , 'Illegals' season 1 (Canal +). "High Water",
„Project UFO” and the latest production „Heweliusz” (Netflix). Anna received the Piotr Wozniak-Starak Award of the Polish Producers Guild for Producer of the Year 2022 for the "High Water" series.

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Mateusz Kowalczyk

Mateusz Kowalczyk is a Polish producer and development executive specialising in projects that connect cinema with digital-first audiences. His feature GRADUATION HEIST (2025) drew over one million viewers, becoming one of Poland’s most successful youth releases, alongside the documentary FRIZ & WERSOW (2025). At Laniakea Pictures, he develops film and cross-media projects rooted in contemporary internet ecosystems, focusing on audience engagement and distribution strategies built around influencer reach. He is advancing multiple titles for distinct target groups, all designed to leverage online communities to boost theatrical and streaming performance. As co-founder of Pigeon Studio, he has long specialised in commercial animation - both narrative and advertising – overseeing several animated series and commercials.

Maciej Kubicki

Maciej is a  film and TV producer and writer. He is an alumni of Wajda School, EAVE Producers Workshop, Torino Film Lab, MIDPOINT, Ex Oriente and DOK Incubator. Maciej runs a Warsaw-based boutique production company TELEMARK, where he produces creative docs, premium TV drama and indie features. An International Emmy winner for Pianoforte (2024) and Kubrick by Kubrick (2020). Awarded as MDAG Best Producer for creative doc Pianoforte (2023), an Emerging Producer of 2017 at Jihlava Film Festival, the KIPA Award for a Best Producer of Documentary Films at Krakow Film Festival for creative docs “Silver” (2025) and “Over the Limit” (2018) and award for the Best Producers Feature Debut for creative doc “Over the Limit”, nominated triple to the Polish Film Award Eagle for Pianoforte (winner), “Over the Limit” and “The Wind. A Documentary Thriller.” Maciej is an Emmy Television Academy, European Film Academy and Polish Film Academy member.

 Remy Mulder

Remy Mulder is an Executive Producer and Controller specialising in the financial and economic aspects of film and television production. He has been involved in a variety of projects – from arthouse films to high-quality series productions – and has worked with production partners from Europe, Asia, and North America. His areas of focus include the development of financing strategies, structuring recoupment models, negotiating licensing agreements, and overseeing financial closings. Remy combines his creative training at the Netherlands Film Academy with his experience as a Finance Manager at Lemming Film, where he was responsible for the budgeting of complex international co-productions. In 2023, he founded his own company, Remy Mulder Film Finance, with which he offers producers tailored advice on all financial aspects of their projects.

 Alex Traila

Alex Traila is a European audiovisual policy expert with over 15 years of experience in the film industry, government affairs and cultural strategy. He serves as Programme Manager for the Council of Europe’s Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions, developing measures that strengthen international collaboration and support independent productions. Holding a PhD in Film and Media Policy, his work explores how Europe’s cultural frameworks can adapt to technological and social change while safeguarding artistic freedom, diversity and public purpose. His focus lies in connecting governance with creative practice to ensure resilient, future-oriented cultural ecosystems.

 Kjetil Omberg

Kjetil Omberg is the Director of Production and International Relations at the Norwegian Film Institute, bringing more than 30 years of experience from across the Norwegian film industry. He entered the industry in 1994 and spent fifteen years in distribution before moving into production. As a producer, executive producer and co-producer, Omberg has been involved in more than 25 feature films and a TV series, including the Sundance titles “Dead Snow” and “Dead Snow 2”, the box office hits “Tina & Bettina – The Movie” and “Norske byggeklosser”, the cult TV series “Hellfjord”, and Netflix success “The Trip”. His recent credits include “Gulltransporten”, “There’s Something in the Barn” and the animated feature “Spermageddon”. In his role at NFI, Omberg oversees national production funding and leads the institute’s international strategy and partnerships.

Scholarships

and

Discounts


Thanks to funding from Creative Europe — MEDIA, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for nationals of the following countries:

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Hungary, Cyprus.

To apply, please use the link below.

Important Note: Please do not register for the workshop while your scholarship application is still being processed.

Scholarship Application

Thanks to funding from Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, a limited number of local scholarships are available for media professionals residing in the regions of Berlin, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt.

These scholarships can cover up to50% of the participation feeexcluding accommodation costs. German citizenship is not required; however, applicants must be registered as their main residence in one of the mentioned regions at the time of application.

Important Note:Please do not register for the workshop while your scholarship application is still being processed.

Scholarship Application 

Corporate Discount 

For in-person seminars, we offer a corporate discount of €100 per person if multiple individuals from the same company register for the same event. Please contact us to receive a corresponding discount code.

EAVE Alumni Discount 

Thanks to our partnership with EAVE, alumni of their programme receive a discount of€90when booking an in-person seminar of the EPI.

Please note that scholarships and discounts cannot be combined.

Funding opportunities in your country:

We recommend that all applicants inquire about financial support from national or regional funding bodies that may offer scholarships or grants for further education and professional development.

Information on funding opportunities for participants in MEDIA-supported training can be obtained from theMEDIA Deskin your country or region. Please note that participation costs for MEDIA training can be recognised as eligible expenses under MEDIA Development Grants.

Below you will find a selection of relevant funding opportunities by country:


Hotel & Venue

We are pleased to welcome you to the Catalonia Hotel Berlin Mitte, where you will spend four nights during the workshop. All workshop sessions will take place in one of the hotel's modern conference rooms. The daily lunch and coffee breaks are included in the price and provide you with ample opportunity to network with other participants throughout the programme.

For more information about the hotel and its facilities, you can visit the hotel's website.

Hotel Website

Contact

Any questions? We are happy to help!

Katarzyna von Matthiassen

Katarzyna von Matthiassen

Project Management International Training

+49 (0) 331 76 99 15 09 

Victoria Vosseberg

Victoria Vosseberg

Project Coordination International Training

+49 (0) 331 76 99 15 02

Email

       international@epi.media

Funders & Partners


Funders

Creative Europe Media
MBB

Partners 

Brehm v.Moers
GRAEF
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