Use and Disbursement of Reference Funds for Program-Filling Films within the Framework of the Film Funding Act 2025
Grant for the use of reference funds for the production of new program-filling films according to §§ 74–88 FFG. Applications can be submitted continuously within the three-year period, no later than before the creation of the zero copy.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Promotion of the use and disbursement of reference funds for program-filling films for the production of new program-filling feature films in accordance with §§ 74–88 of the Film Funding Act (FFG).
Eligible expenses
- Production costs
- Preparation costs (material and screenplay development)
- Equity increase
- Material development and screenplay costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Retroactive costs
- Debt settlement
Eligible to apply
- Founders
- Individuals
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Awarding of reference funds for program-filling films in accordance with §§ 61–73 FFG
- Digital application via the FFA service portal
- Application within the three-year period, no later than before the creation of the zero copy
Documents required for application
- Award notice reference funds
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Cost calculation scheme
- Proof of ecological standards
- Script/Exposé/Treatment
- Crew and cast list
- Shooting/schedule
- Proof of film rights
- Co-production contracts
- Distribution contract
Evaluation criteria
- Compliance with ecological standards
- Own contribution at least 5%
- Aid intensity max. 50%
- Timeliness of financing
Description
The FFA Filmförderungsanstalt supports producers of feature-length cinema films as well as screenwriters and directors in fully reinvesting allocated reference capital into new film projects. As a 100% grant, both production costs and preparatory expenses for material, exposé, or screenplay development, as well as an increase in equity capital, are funded. Expenses for retrospective costs and debt settlement are considered ineligible. A prerequisite is the allocation of reference funds according to §§ 61 ff. FFG, a digital application via the FFA service portal, and compliance with ecological minimum standards. The application must include, among other documents, the allocation notice, a project description, a financing and budgeting plan, and proof of ecological standards. Minimum requirements for own contribution (at least 5%), a maximum aid intensity of 50%, and timely financing apply together with ongoing application opportunities within the three-year period before the creation of the final print.
The funding is available to start-ups, private individuals, and small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany. After positive allocation, a second stage decision on the disbursement of funds is made prior to the start of production. The financial resources can be flexibly used for new feature films intended for cinemas and drawn on a project-specific basis. The continuous funding framework without fixed deadlines promotes creative independence: it enables demand-oriented planning, takes into account the ecological footprint, and guarantees full coverage of eligible costs—even in times of volatile markets and changing economic conditions.
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