Tanja Meissner Appointed Director of Berlinale Pro*, Including the Directorship of European Film Market

Tanja Meissner © duchili 

Berlinale Festival Director Tricia Tuttle has appointed the highly regarded and experienced industry professional Tanja Meissner to join her Executive team as the Director of Berlinale Pro*. This reshaped role encompasses the directorship of the European Film Market (EFM) while also taking a strategic lead in developing the Berlinale Pro* consortium, together with the Heads of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and World Cinema Fund, who will report directly to her.

German-French dual citizen Meissner brings over 25 years of experience and profound knowledge of the film industry, across production, distribution and exhibition. As Director of Berlinale Pro*, Meissner will contribute to the overarching strategic goals of the Berlinale as a vital part of Tuttle’s senior team. Tanja Meissner will take office on May 13 and attend the Cannes Film Festival with the team.

“Tanja Meissner is immensely well regarded in the international film industry, for her integrity, great taste and shrewd business sense. She offers a rare combination of experience at the highest level in sales and distribution while also combining it with an understanding of how to nurture new talent and support green shoots in the industry. All of this is anchored by a genuine and deep passion for cinema. I am eager to use our platforms at the Berlinale to support the whole ecosystem from filmmakers and rights holders through to distributors, cinemas and audiences. And I can’t think of a better first Executive appointment to help achieve this”, says Festival Director Tricia Tuttle.

Tanja Meissner on her new position: “I’m truly thrilled with this new opportunity, joining a fabulous and highly dedicated team already in place. I hold the Berlinale deeply to my heart, having started my professional career working at Panorama in the 1990’s. Over the years I have participated in the festival in various capacities, such as team member, industry representative or guest, thus combining a maybe unusual 360° perspective. This new chapter brings together everything that I’m passionate about and that I have been cultivating over the years.”