We look forward to seeing you at EFM during Berlinale 2025!
Winston Baker’s Entertainment Finance Forum Berlin returns with a sharp focus on the evolving world of global entertainment finance.
This year, we spotlight cutting-edge sales strategies, the surge of international co-productions, and the intersection of creativity and capital in today’s industry.
Join top executives and thought leaders as they share actionable insights on securing funding, navigating co-production complexities, and staying authentic while delivering for audiences and investors alike.
Engage in an intimate Fireside Chat, hear exclusive success stories, and learn directly from industry visionaries driving the future of entertainment finance.
Walk away with the knowledge, connections, and inspiration to thrive in 2025’s global entertainment ecosystem. Don’t miss it!
LOCATION
The Event Hall, Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation
Stresemannstr. 90, 10963 Berlin.
https://www.efm-berlinale.de/en/industry-sessions-ms/about/venue/venue.html
OPEN TO EVERYONE WITH AN EFM BADGE! No further registration is required…just arrive before 10:30am to get a spot!
PROGRAM
(subject to updates)
10:30am – 10:35am
Welcoming Address
Amy Baker - CEO and Co-Founder, WINSTON BAKER
10:35am – 11:15am
State of the Industry; State of Finance
Join us for an all-encompassing exploration of the evolving entertainment industry in 2025, where innovation meets opportunity in global film financing and technology adoption.
As streaming models shift, AI advances, and consumer behaviors evolve, this panel will delve into how filmmakers, producers, and financiers are navigating these changes while reshaping the global entertainment landscape.
Explore:
- The dynamic collaboration between U.S. private equity and European soft money
- Strategies to mitigate financial risk while unlocking creative potential
- Emerging trends and technologies driving growth such as AI and its impact on global markets
- Discover how industry leaders are transforming disruption into opportunity, redefining success, and positioning themselves at the forefront of global entertainment in the years ahead.
Moderator:
Steven Adams - Award-Winning Producer & Founding Partner, Alta Global Media
Panelists:
Chandler Heinz Laun - COO, FilmHedge
David Lancaster - Academy Award-Nominated Producer & CEO, Rumble Films
Mohamed Hefzy - Producer, Screenwriter & Founder, Film Clinic
Effie T. Brown - CEO, Gamechanger Films
11:15am – 11:45am
FIRESIDE CHAT with Christine Vachon and Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter
We are thrilled to welcome Christine Vachon, Oscar-Nominated and Golden Globe Winning Producer & Co-Founder, Killer Films to our stage!
An Independent Spirit and Gotham Award winner, Vachon co-founded Killer Films and has produced over 100 groundbreaking independent films. She has also executive-produced award-winning television, and most recently her work on PAST LIVES (A24) earned her a Best Picture Oscar nomination.
Credits include: MAY DECEMBER, PAST LIVES, BOYS DON’T CRY, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, MILDRED PIERCE, HALSTON, CAROL & MORE!
Christine Vachon - Oscar-Nominated and Golden Globe Winning Producer & Co-Founder, Killer Films
Scott Roxborough - European Bureau Chief, The Hollywood Reporter
11:45am-12:30pm
The Power of International Partnerships & Co-Productions: Pushing the Boundaries of Global Storytelling
Co-productions represent not only a financial strategy but also a creative and cultural force that pushes the boundaries of global storytelling.
By joining resources, sharing risks, broadening audiences, and enhancing sales and distribution networks, they enable filmmakers to create ambitious, and universally appealing content.
This dynamic panel brings together experts to discuss the transformative power of international collaborations, exploring how changing audience demographics are reshaping the priorities for partnerships, moving decision-making away from ‘playing it safe’ to strategies that truly connect with global audiences.
Discover how these partnerships and co-productions are reshaping the entertainment landscape by blending financial strength, creative diversity, global reach, and innovative distribution strategies.
Learn how to "remake the wheel" of producer deals to adapt to the evolving business model, from leveraging internal development to building producer collectives while addressing regulatory challenges.
Dive into:
The rising role of streaming in driving international collaborations.
How changing audience demographics should be considered when looking for international partnerships
Rethinking producer deals to pivot and maximise opportunities in a shifting industry.
How effective sales and distribution strategies amplify the impact of co-productions
Strategies to build slates that tackle key challenges, such as local-for-local, local-for-global approaches
Navigating cultural, legal, and regulatory complexities in co-productions.
Exploring the role of AI as a tool for identifying talent and enabling collaborations.
Join leading voices as they uncover bold strategies to unlock new opportunities for global storytelling. This is a session you don’t want to miss!
Moderator:
Amy Baker - CEO & Co-Founder, Winston Baker
Panelists:
Delphine Perrier - COO, Highland Film Group (HFG)
Rula Nasser - Producer & Founder, The Imaginarium Films
Neerja Narayanan – Multi-Hyphenate Producer, Studio Executive, Writer
FORUM CONCLUDES
SPEAKING FACULTY
More updates coming soon!
Christine Vachon - Oscar-Nominated and Golden Globe Winning Producer & Co-Founder, Killer Films
Christine Vachon is an Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award winner who co-founded powerhouse Killer Films with partner Pamela Koffler in 1995. Over three decades, they have produced more than 100 films, including some of the most celebrated and important American independent features: KIDS, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, HAPPINESS, BOYS DON’T CRY, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, FAR FROM HEAVEN, ONE HOUR PHOTO, STILL ALICE, CAROL, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, and DARK WATERS. In television, Vachon executive-produced the Emmy and Golden Globe-awarded miniseries MILDRED PIERCE for HBO as well as the Emmy Award-winning limited series HALSTON for Netflix. Recent releases include Todd Haynes' MAY DECEMBER (Netflix), starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, and Celine Song's PAST LIVES (A24), which marks her first Oscar nomination in the Best Picture category.
David Lancaster - Academy Award-Nominated Producer & CEO, Rumble Films
David Lancaster began his storied 30+ year career in the entertainment industry producing Broadway plays before transitioning into the independent film space, where he has been involved with the development, finance, production, and distribution of over 50 motion pictures and television series. Most noticeable films include Whiplash, for which he received an Oscar nomination, Nightcrawler, Drive, and Eye in the Sky. Recent productions include The Burnt Orange Heresy (SPC), The Other Lamb (IFC), Sanctuary (Neon), and the upcoming Visitation (Lionsgate).
Chandler Heinz Laun - COO, FilmHedge
Chandler Heinz Laun, COO of FilmHedge, has over 10 years of entertainment experience specializing in film finance and packaging. She spent 5 year at ICM Partners in Los Angeles, a leading Hollywood talent agency, in the independent film department focusing on financing and acquisitions. Chandler began her career as a film editor and commercial producer.
Neerja Narayanan - Multi-hyphenate Producer, Studio Executive, Writer
Multi-hyphenate producer / studio executive / writer with track record for major studios in development, production, acquisition, having been based in London, Mumbai, New York, LA, having built & managed local content pipelines for vertically integrated studio divisions for commercially and critically successful multi-language content, including Fox International Productions (21st Century Fox), (now) Disney UTV Studios South Asia, Sony Pictures International Productions, producing cross border successes across formats with artists who are household names regionally and internationally, nominated for and won internationally recognised awards including BAFTA awards, Asia Pacific Awards, Indian National Awards, with festival premieres at Toronto, Busan, London, Shanghai, Tokyo among others. Also worked in production, development, international sales, programming, for Channel Four UK, the UK Film Council, Capitol Films UK, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Forest Whitaker's Spirit Dance Entertainment, and branded content for broadcast TV. Works with artist organizations like Gotham Film & Media Institute, Doha Film Institute, Sundance Film Institute, Portland Art Museum, Creative Hawaii, Hollywood Radio & TV Society, developing programs and mentoring talent for films/TV, and has been jury member and drama selection committee and panelist for the Sarajevo Film Festival CineLink and MIA Rome (Mercata Internazionale Audiovisivo.) She has been a speaker at the Toronto International Film Festival, a keynote speaker for Channel Four, a speaker for the European Producers Club, TiE NYC, Columbia University, Athena Film Festival, Gotham Film Week + written editorials for Filmmaker Magazine among others. Based in LA, is currently producing series / films with Sony TV, Sony Intl Prods, NordiskFilm, Netflix India + building cross-continental slates + creative funds across Asia, Europe, America, Australia, MENA/Africa.
Delphine Perrier - COO, Highland Film Group (HFG)
Delphine Perrier is the COO and founding partner of Highland Film Group (HFG), an independent worldwide sales, film financing, production and distribution company launched in 2010 alongside Arianne Fraser. HFG has had success across a wide range of film genres and platforms, building a reputation for handling high-octane films in the action/thriller/horror space, focusing on cast, director, and filmmaker driven content. Highland Film Group’s current slate of films includes Martin Campbell’s action-thriller Dedication starring Daisy Ridley; Adrian Grunberg’s action-thriller Protector starring Milla Jovovich; the action crime thriller Wardriver starring Dane DeHaan and Sasha Calle; John Stalberg, Jr.’s Muzzle: City of Wolves starring Aaron Eckhart; the action crime thriller The Deputy starring Duke Nicholson, William H. Macy, Tiffany Haddish and Stephen Dorff; Justin Chadwick’s action thriller Sierra Madre starring Kiefer Sutherland; and the sci-fi thriller The Astronaut produced by Brad Fuller and starring Kate Mara and Laurence Fishburne, which will have its world premiere at SXSW.
Effie T. Brown - CEO, Gamechanger Films
Effie T. Brown is a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion in the film industry, currently serving as the CEO and majority owner of Gamechanger Films. Established in 2013, Gamechanger Films made history as the first equity fund dedicated to financing feature films directed by women, addressing critical gender disparities within the industry. Under Brown's leadership since January 2020, the organization has become a catalyst for change, empowering voices often sidelined in mainstream cinema.
Brown, a respected industry veteran, is passionate about producing films that highlight the experiences of marginalized communities, including people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color, while also including men from underrepresented communities. Her vision for Gamechanger Films is to build a collective of creators committed to telling authentic stories that resonate with diverse audiences.
With an impressive resume, Brown has produced acclaimed works such as *Real Women Have Curves* and *Dear White People*, and has contributed to major television productions like HBO's *Project Greenlight* and FOX's *Lee Daniels' Star*. Recent projects under her guidance include the critically praised *Passing*, *Run Sweetheart Run*, and A24’s *The Inspection*, reflecting her unwavering commitment to representation in film.
Gamechanger Films is poised to make a significant impact in 2024 with an exciting lineup that includes the heartlfelt epic sports film about a resilient father *Mr. Otim* a climate justice documentary *Save Yourself!*, the star-studded *Sorcerority*, co-produced and starring starring Taraji P. Henson and Gabrielle Union, and *Haant*, a horror feature steeped in Gullah-Geechee mysticism. These projects aim not only to entertain but also to provoke thought and inspire action.
As an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Brown serves as the Chair of the Academy Museum Inclusion Advisory Committee and is a Board Member for the Museum. Through her work at Gamechanger Films, Effie T. Brown is igniting a movement to redefine the narrative landscape of cinema, challenging conventions and breaking barriers to ensure every voice is heard and every story matters.
Mohamed Hefzy - Producer, Screenwriter & Founder, Film Clinic
Mohamed Hefzy is an Egyptian screenwriter and producer, with an evolving filmography of more than 40 feature films including worldwide acclaimed titles Clash (2016), Sheikh Jackson (2017), Luxor (2020), and Feathers (2021). He served as a jury member in various international festivals including the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and the 75th Venice International Film Festival. As of its 40th edition and for four consecutive years; Mohamed Hefzy was the appointed President of the Cairo International Film Festival. In 2005, He founded Film Clinic; the now pioneer production house in the MENA region with a variety of commercial blockbusters & Art house films that have participated in major film festivals worldwide including; Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Toronto, and Tribeca with more than 100 international awards under its belt. Later Hefzy founded Film Clinic Indie Distribution, with a mission to create opportunities for Arab independent films within and beyond festival circuits & Co- founded Meem Creative Circle which produced Netflix’s first Egyptian original series; Paranormal. Hefzy was cited among 30 future leaders in film production by Screen International, headed Variety’s list of Ten names you need to know in the Arab Film Industry and was among Variety’s 500 list of the most influential people in the media industry worldwide. He was granted the Arab Cinema Personality of the Year award by the Hollywood Reporter & Arab Cinema Center. Hefzy is an official member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts And Sciences in the producers’ branch. In recognition of his significant contribution to the Arab film scene, He was honored as a “Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres” from France.
Rula Nasser - Producer & Founder, The Imaginarium Films
Experienced Jordanian producer, started with BBC and Discovery Channel projects in the Middle East. Joined the Royal Film Commission in 2005.
She Founded "THE IMAGINARIUM FILMS" in 2011, focusing on local talent. Her Recent films include "The Alleys at Locarno film festival 2021, “The Holy Spider by Ali Abbasi," and "Rebel by Adil El Arabi and Bilal Fallah." in 2022. Her latest achievement was Inchallah Wallad that premiered at Festival De Cannes in 2023 and was nominated for 96th Academy Awards (Oscars) in 2024.
Steven Adams - Award-Winning Producer & Founding Partner, Alta Global Media
Peabody award winning Manager/Producer Steven Adams is a Founding Partner at Alta Global Media with a distinguished history of representing and producing with international media companies and talent.
Recent highlights include the 3 picture deal with Netflix brokered for South African director Mandla Dube, the success of his first picture HEART OF THE HUNTER which debuted at #1 globally on Netflix and the 6 picture slate finance deal with South Africa's IDC to provide 49% finance. Some other recent highlights include independent film credits include: THE GOAT LIFE which broke Indian Box Office records,, RISE, DIE LIKE A MAN, REDEMPTION DAY, ZERO & THE NINTH CLOUD amongst others.
Adams served for 4 years as a VFX Executive Producer with Paris-based VFX house BUF. His credits there include such Academy Award winners as James Cameron’s AVATAR, Ang Lee’s LIFE OF PI, THOR for Marvel Studios, as well as GREEN LANTERN, GREEN HORNET, Stephen Sommers’ ODD THOMAS, and Tim Burton’s DARK SHADOWS.
Steven was also VFX Executive Producer for French VFX house Digital District whose credits include the Academy Award winning features THE ARTIST & THE INTOUCHABLES.
He is a producer on the Netflix Original adaptation of Roger Guenveur Smith’s solo performance piece RODNEY KING and A HUEY P NEWTON STORY both directed by Academy Award winner Spike Lee. Adams recently collaborated on the marketing of 2 seasons Spike Lee’s hit series Netflix SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT, and the Oscar campaign for the Academy Award winning BLACKKKLANSMAN and over 30 other Netflix titles.
As a partner in Luna Ray Media, Adams produced the Peabody Award winning A HUEY P NEWTON STORY, directed by Spike Lee, the first Starz original Production. Other indie credits with Luna Ray include GOD’S WAITING LIST, JUSTICE and BURNING SHADOWS, and the Sundance indie pilot IT’S NOT ABOUT JIMMY KEENE.
Adams previously served as President of FilmPro Finance, consulting for such film finance based clients as Bloomberg/Cite and its predecessor the Atlas Film & TV Finance Summit, Film Production Capital, and various global film commissions and festivals.
Steven is a member of BAFTA, the Producers Guild of America, the Television Academy, an Advisory Board member for Content London, The Durban FilmMart, and also serves as Advisory Board chair and Chief Strategist for the Oscar qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival.
Amy Baker - CEO & Co-Founder, Winston Baker
As CEO of WINSTON | BAKER, Amy Baker oversees the company’s global strategic planning, business development and vendor relationships. Amy Co-Founded the FILM FINANCE FORUM® in 2008, which provides the leading series of events dedicated to bringing seasoned finance and entertainment executives together from around the globe. Winston Baker is a renowned leader in the entertainment industry, known for curating content and organizing Forums worldwide. Amy has successfully organized sold out conferences, film festival programming and private events across the United States, Europe, Saudi Arabia, China, Pacific Asia and Latin America, along with a lineup of exciting virtual programs.
Prior to establishing Winston/Baker, she was at SRI which was acquired by ALM. At ALM, as Vice President of Business Development, Amy provided finance executives and marketers with targeted channels for reaching decision-makers within the legal, entertainment, healthcare, sports and tech sectors. In her previous position, Director of Business Development at RPMC, she worked with entertainment, music, and sports companies, creating event marketing programs, travel incentive services, sweepstakes, and media promotions.
Amy lived for many years in Europe, while working as a professional Model before receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with Honors from New York University. Amy proudly sits on the National Board of Advisors for the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida since 2018. She has recently started producing and developing projects for Film and Television.
Scott Roxborough - European Bureau Chief, The Hollywood Reporter
Scott Roxborough is European Bureau Chief at leading U.S. entertainment industry magazine The Hollywood Reporter. He has been reporting on the European film and television industries for more than two decades.
Scott Roxborough also works as a producer and on-air presenter for German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle. He lives in Cologne, Germany with his wife and two children.
Thank you
Gold PArtners
Founded in 2020, FilmHedge is one of the fastest growing lenders in media finance. As a senior lender, FilmHedge provides private credit and financing solutions to qualified TV and Film producers, offering up to $25 million per production. In addition to financing, the company collects financial data that assists other financiers (banks, hedge funds, family offices, etc) in determining the creditworthiness and risk of media borrowers.To date the team behind FilmHedge have underwritten more than 60 feature films. For more information on FilmHedge visit: https://www.filmhedge.com.
Media Partners
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