Jury-Based Cultural Project Development Funding
Nationwide jury-based project development funding for outstanding feature, children's, and documentary films. Applications for feature films possible until 07/07/2026 and 09/29/2026, for documentary films until 09/08/2026, and for children's films until 09/01/2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of measures for material procurement, script development, and other production preparation activities for the development of outstanding feature films, children’s films, and documentaries, including animation, experimental, and hybrid forms.
Eligible expenses
- Material procurement
- Screenplay development
- Production preparatory measures
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Individuals
Funding requirements
- Manufacturer with at least one domestic or foreign reference work
- Significant German cultural influence according to guidelines
- Registered office or branch in Germany
Documents required for application
- Cover letter
- Table of contents
- Project description (10–35 pages) or current script version
- Description of the measure
- Material/project development plan
- Implementation concept
- Author's commentary (if available)
- Director's filmography
- Crew list
- List of protagonists
- Proof of material rights
- Company profile
- Authors' filmography
- Proof of eligibility to apply
- Financing plan
- Proof of financing
- Cost calculation
Evaluation criteria
- Quality and innovation of the project
- Significant German cultural influence
Description
The jury-based cultural project development funding of the federal government supports companies and private individuals based in Germany in the development of outstanding feature films, children’s films, documentaries, as well as animated, experimental, and hybrid formats. The aim of this nationwide film funding is to promote measures for material acquisition, screenplay development, and production-preparatory steps in order to strengthen innovative materials and narrative forms. Eligible applicants are producers with at least one reference work in cinema, TV, or festival contexts; in the documentary film sector, authors and directors are also eligible. A significant German cultural influence is required, ensured through language, producer structure, and financing shares. Eligible expenses include research costs, author fees, and all preparatory services up to the submission of a complete screenplay or exposé.
The grant is awarded as a non-repayable subsidy and amounts to up to €100,000; for particularly complex animation projects, up to €150,000 can be applied for. Applications for feature film projects must be submitted by 07.07.2026 and 29.09.2026, for documentaries by 08.09.2026, and for children’s films by 01.09.2026 via the FFA service portal. A qualified jury decides through a multi-stage evaluation system based on the quality, innovation potential, and German cultural influence of the submitted projects. The application requires, among other things, a detailed project description, a material development plan, realization concept, financing and cost plans, as well as proof of material rights and references. This funding instrument makes a decisive contribution to artistic diversity and strengthens the creative film landscape in Germany.
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