# EFM 2026 — Playbook

**On-site:** Feb 13–20, 2026 (Berlin)  
**Meetings:** Feb 14–19, 2026  
**EFM booking link:** https://cultscale.com/efm (Cal.com)
**General booking link:** https://cultscale.com/call

## 1) Cal.com setup (do this now)

Create a dedicated Cal.com event type for EFM so availability is *only* Feb 14–19.

**Event type:** EFM 2026 Meetings (Berlin)
**Slug (important):** `efm-berlin-2026` (so https://cultscale.com/efm works)
**Duration:** 30 minutes (recommended) (or 45 if you prefer)
**Buffers:** 15 min before / 15 min after
**Minimum notice:** 3 hours
**Location:** In-person (Berlin) or Cal Video
**Description:**
- On-site Feb 13–20
- Meetings Feb 14–19 only
- Ask booker to put “Company — Topic — Desired outcome”
- Provide links: /slate, cultshot.com

**Availability restriction:** set a custom date range / overrides for **Feb 14–19, 2026** only.

Repo shortlink already added:
- `src/sites/cultscale/public/_redirects`: `/efm` → `https://cal.com/cultscale/efm-berlin-2026`

## 2) Strategy (audience-first slate)

### Core thesis
Most indie films don’t fail on craft — they fail on **audience connection**. Our angle at EFM is simple: get specific about *who* the film is for, *where* that audience already lives, and *how* the release reaches them.

### What we’re selling in meetings
- **Audience**: clear audience definition (not “everyone”), cultural signal, and where that audience can actually be activated
- **Positioning**: comps, promise, and the most legible market narrative (without sanding off the edge)
- **Release pathways**: practical routes to the right distributors, sales agents, festivals, and platforms — sequenced to build momentum

### Slate focus
**Lead (recommended):** **Micha** — clean international positioning, packaging + sales guidance.  
**Second lead (pick per room):** Mo’ / Dry Bones / AAA.

Rule: one meeting = one primary agenda (one title, one ask). If the room opens up, you can widen to the broader slate.

## 2) What we’re bringing (links)

**Slate hub:** https://cultscale.com/slate
- Mo’: https://cultscale.com/slate/mo
- Micha: https://cultscale.com/slate/micha
- Dry Bones: https://cultscale.com/slate/drybones
- AAA: https://cultscale.com/slate/aaa

**CULTSHOT:** https://cultshot.com

**CULTREEL / EFM Startups pack (internal):** `content/cultreel.md`

## 3) Meeting types to book (by audience)

### Sales agents / distributors
- Early positioning + materials strategy
- Territory thinking + sales comps
- What they’d need to see to engage formally

### Producers / co-producers
- Packaging pathway (attachments, co-pro structure)
- Financing stack logic
- Clear next steps: who else to meet / what materials to send

### Financiers
- Slate thesis + lead project focus
- Timeline + de-risking milestones
- Ask: 2nd meeting + what data/material unlocks a yes

### Producers / packaging partners
- Packaging pathway (attachments, co-pro structure)
- Materials strategy: what to send, when, and why

### Sales agents / distributors
- Positioning, comps, and territory thinking
- What would unlock a formal evaluation

## 4) Project “asks” (what we want from each title)

**Mo’ (feature drama):** co-producers, production financing, life-rights clearance, archive access.  
**Micha (feature psych thriller):** packaging partners, sales agent guidance, financing plan + attachments.  
**Dry Bones (doc):** doc buyers/streamers/broadcasters + brand/partner intros (esports adjacency).  
**AAA (hybrid doc):** archive/reconstruction finance + editorial/legal pathway.

## 5) Outreach templates (copy/paste)

### Email (short)
Subject: EFM Berlin — quick meeting?

Hi {{Name}},

I’ll be at EFM Berlin Feb 13–20 and taking meetings Feb 14–19.

Primary topic for this meeting: {{Slate — audience / positioning / release}}.

If helpful, here’s the booking link: https://cultscale.com/efm

Best,
Maroun

### LinkedIn DM (short)
In Berlin for EFM Feb 13–20 — taking meetings Feb 14–19. If you’re there, happy to grab 30 min on slate: audience, positioning, and release pathways. Booking link: https://cultscale.com/efm

## 6) Meeting format (30 minutes)
- 5 min: context + what we’re solving
- 10 min: the pitch (one track only)
- 10 min: discussion + qualification
- 5 min: close (next step + owner + date)

## 7) Daily operating cadence (during EFM)
- Morning: lock priorities + send 3–5 same-day pings
- Between meetings: capture 3 bullets (need / next step / date)
- End-of-day: 30 min recap + follow-ups

## 8) Post-EFM follow-up (48 hours)
Every “yes” gets:
- recap
- 2 concrete next steps
- a calendar hold