15/02/2006

With its new infrastructure and venues, the European Film Market (EFM) received a largely positive response and favourable comments from film professionals that, according to Beki Probst, head of the EFM, "surpassed even our expectations".

The quality of the food and beverage and shuttle services, the good lighting system and the efficiency and friendliness of the EFM staff were praised by the majority of this year's 250 participants. Of course, some exhibitors inevitably complained, most notably about the different exhibition venues (the MGB, the EFM business offices and the hotels at which many companies, particularly from the US, still conducted their business). Others, such as the dozen UK sales companies at the British stand, protested the lack of space and the inability to put up some posters or the names of their companies on the walls. "We learned a lot this year and when you move to a new place, you need to see what you can get out of [it]", stressed Probst. "For next year, we'll have to sit down, see what the demand will be and make new plans accordingly", she told Cineuropa.