This year, the renowned industry platform European Work in Progress (EWIP) and the International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS) will dock in the Hanseatic city for the first time at FILMFEST HAMBURG (September 25 to October 4, 2025). European Work in Progress (EWIP) is taking place for the 8th time this year, while the International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS) is looking forward to its 4th edition.
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.“
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.“
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.“
EWIP offers buyers, industry delegates and journalists the opportunity to get an overview of the latest and most exciting European film projects of the year that are at an advanced stage of production.
In addition to the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and the Filmfestival Cologne, the European Work in Progress (EWIP) team would like to thank all other previous partners. European Work in Progress (EWIP) continues to be supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA Program of the European Union and the Creative Europe Desks Germany.
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