Europe's Buzziest Film Market Returns with Tried-and-True and Star-Powered Fare

The European Film Market (EFM) kicks off in Berlin on February 13th, showcasing the hottest film titles that suggest the industry is banking on proven genre staples and glittery star-studded packages to warm up the winter chill.

Stars Shine Bright

A-list stars are expected to sizzle in Berlin, with Ari Aster and A24's "Eddington" boasting Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler. Guy Ritchie's "Wife & Dog" features Benedict Cumberbatch and Rosamund Pike, while Ernest Dickerson's untitled hitman thriller pairs Samuel L. Jackson with Daveed Diggs. Kantemir Balagov's "Butterfly Jam" showcases Barry Keoghan and Riley Keough, highlighting the continuing allure of big names in an uncertain theatrical market.

Genre Dominates

Horror remains a popular genre, with buyers eager to sink their teeth into Isabelle Huppert's 16th-century vampire mystery "The Blood Countess" and Jacob Chase's genre-bending killer canine thriller "Bad Boy," starring Ke Huy Quan and Lili Reinhart. Comedy is also making a comeback, with Neon's "Old Pals" (Henry Winkler, Brian Cox), the unhinged road-trip comedy "The Shitheads" (Dave Franco, O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Peter Dinklage), and the psychedelic stoner comedy "Toad" (Tiffany Haddish, James Franco, James Paxton, Oliver Wyman) catching attention.

New Voices and Perspectives

After a spirited Sundance Film Festival, which yielded multi-million dollar deals, the EFM will test whether it can replicate the spending spree of previous markets. Among the most anticipated films on offer are:

* 500 Miles: A road-trip adventure with Roman Griffin Davis and Bill Nighy.
* A New Dawn: A dreamy anime-inspired film set in a fireworks factory.
* The Birthday Party: A Mediterranean-set family drama with Willem Dafoe and Emma Suarez.
* Blurred: A sensual erotic thriller set in the fashion world.
* Breathe Deep: A shark encounter tale with Ingrid Torelli and Michiel Huisman.
* The Butler: A retired World War I commando forced to confront his past.
* Couture: A fashion drama with Angelina Jolie, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Ella Rumpf.
* Die by Night: A post-apocalyptic survival thriller.
* Good Sex: A portrait of a couples' therapist navigating the modern dating scene.
* Jimpa: A multi-generational family tale with Olivia Colman and John Lithgow.
* Kiss of the Spider Woman: A Broadway adaptation of the 1980s classic, featuring Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna.
* Lassie and the Wild Bear: The latest installment in the beloved franchise.
* The Last Viking: A dark comedy about a hidden treasure and a brother with amnesia.
* Mata: A high-stakes spy thriller set in Niger.
* The Musician and the Whale: A documentary about an electro musician's journey to compose for a whale.
* Old Pals: An odd-couple comedy about two widowed old men.
* Old White Man: A satirical comedy about a middle-aged man trying to prove his wokeness.
* Paradise: A tale of street gangs and deception in Ghana and Quebec.
* The Rage: An epic historical drama starring Matthew McConaughey as a leader of a 14th-century peasant revolt.
* Reversion: A psychological thriller about a kidnapping victim's return with no memories.
* Romería: A personal exploration of adolescence from Berlin's Golden Bear-winning director Carla Simón.
* Rose of Nevada: A time-travel mystery drama set in a remote fishing village.
* Sleeping Lions: A Christmas-themed murder-mystery with Jonathan Price and Nick Mohammed.
* This Is Not a Test: A teenage survival story based on a YA novel.
* Three Quick Breaths: A sports thriller about an agent trying to save his client's career.
* Tinsel Town: A Christmas comedy starring Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson.
* Together: A Sundance sensation horror film about a couple's supernatural encounter.
* Trust the Man: A Vietnam War drama with Daniel Radcliffe and Lucas Hedges.
* Untitled Hitman Thriller: A tale of a retired hitman forced back into action.
* Untitled Mike Leigh: The latest project from the acclaimed British director, shrouded in secrecy.
* Virginia Woolf's Night & Day: An un-romantic comedy based on Woolf's novel.
* Where the Wind Comes From: A Tunisian fantasy adventure about the power of friendship.
* Wild Game: A manhunt thriller with Miles Teller and Casey Affleck.