Expansion of the Industry Program
11 March 2025
FILMFEST HAMBURG is expanding: Starting with the next festival edition from September 25 to October 4, 2025, the renowned industry platform European Work in Progress (EWIP) and the International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS) will be held in the Hanseatic city for the first time. With producer Fabian Massah as the new head of INDUSTRY DAYS, the festival in Hamburg will become one of the most important industry meeting points in the North.
Malika Rabahallah, Festival Director of FILMFEST HAMBURG: “The expansion of our industry program is a real quantum leap for the industry part of FILMFEST HAMBURG: We are offering the national and international industry the opportunity not only to get to know our beautiful city and festival but also to network, gain insights for future projects, and broaden their horizons. We would like to sincerely thank Torsten Frehse, who is bringing two major international industry events to Hamburg. By expanding our programme, we can now offer real added value to all target groups – from producers, distributors, world sales agents and festival curators to up-and-coming filmmakers.“
Torsten Frehse, Head of European Work in Progress and International Film Distribution Summit: “EWIP has had seven successful editions and has now become a key fixture in the European industry calendar. IFDS has quickly established itself in just three years. Nevertheless, we are at a point where the development of the event should be readjusted, also with regard to the overall situation of the industry. In collaboration with FILMFEST HAMBURG, new connections are emerging to strategically link the format with other events. For example, the partnership with the Explorer Konferenz opens up entirely new opportunities to further develop EWIP and IFDS in a broader context. We have come to appreciate Malika Rabahallah, Helge Albers, Kathrin Kohlstedde and Fabian Massah in the past and are looking forward to taking this big step together.”
Helge Albers, Managing Director of MOIN Film Fund: “Thanks to the increase in funding from the red-green government coalition, FILMFEST HAMBURG can significantly expand its industry program. This is a great gain for Hamburg as a film location. With the already established Explorer Konferenz and the two new formats, FILMFEST HAMBURG will continue to grow in relevance for the German and European film industry.“
European Work in Progress (EWIP) is an independent industry event focused on European and German films with high quality and market potential. The event targets international sales agents, TV broadcasters, film festivals, and film distributors. The International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS), on the other hand, is specifically aimed at professionals in international film distribution. The summit focuses on international exchange, networking, and aims to provide new insights for future release strategies. Both EWIP and IFDS have previously taken place during the Film Festival Cologne. Under the direction of film distributor Torsten Frehse (Neue Visionen), both platforms have established themselves as significant industry events for European and German films.
Fabian Massah is the new head of INDUSTRY DAYS
“With Fabian Massah, we have gained an industry expert for our industry program who will help us take the industry part of FILMFEST HAMBURG to the next level with his expertise,” says festival director Malika Rabahallah. “Massah’s years of experience and his international network make him the ideal person to establish Hamburg as a central meeting point for the European film industry.”
Fabian Massah, Producer: “As a film producer, I see it as a great opportunity to strategically develop the Industry Days of FILMFEST HAMBURG and introduce new impulses for the industry. The focus is clearly on innovation in production and distribution. My goal is to create a program with inspiring guests and topics, strengthening Hamburg as one of the central meeting points for the German and international film and media industry. I’m excited about the fresh energy in the Hanseatic city – and looking forward to exploring new paths together with Malika Rabahallah and the fantastic teams of FILMFEST HAMBURG, EWIP, IFDS, and the Explorer Konferenz.”
Industry meetings with new impulses and proven formats
In addition to the new formats, FILMFEST HAMBURG will continue and further develop established programs. The Explorer Konferenz remains a key part of the Industry Days, where current trends and challenges in European production work are discussed. #ATELIER25 in cooperation with the Semaine de la Critique Cannes and the young talent initiative ENCOURAGE also remain firm pillars of the program.
The FILMFEST HAMBURG INDUSTRY DAYS are scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 3, 2025.
