Development Funding
The FFA supports the development of feature films from an early stage. Writers can receive grants for the development of treatments and screenplays. In addition, the FFA supports the project development of feature films, documentaries and animated films.
Reference Development Funding
Producers of feature-length films can receive financial support for the preparation or production of new feature-length films by means of FFA reference funding. Reference funding is allocated for a successful film and can be used to develop a new project (reference principle). The funding is provided in two stages. In the first stage, reference funds are allocated based on the success of the feature-length film. On receipt of the award notice, an application may be made in the second stage for the use and disbursement of the grant for a new project.
Funding is provided for the preparation of films with a projected theatrical release. Series and television films are not eligible for funding.
The person or company to whom the reference funds have been allocated is eligible to apply. It is not possible to transfer reference funds.
Upon application, the FFA may allow up to 75 per cent of the funding awarded to be used for particularly costly measures relating to material procurement, script procurement or development, or in any other way for the preparation of a new feature-length film. If 75 per cent of the funding awarded amounts to less than 100,000.00 euros, a higher percentage may also be granted.
Short film makers may use the full amount for the preparation of a new film.
Reference funding for the development of material for new feature-length films (screenwriters, directors)
The FFA supports screenwriters and directors of feature-length films by means of reference funding. Funding is provided for the development of material for new feature-length films with planned theatrical distribution. Series and television films are not eligible for funding.
The person to whom the reference funds have been allocated is eligible to apply. As a rule, reference funds cannot be transferred.
The funding can be used for the production of screenplays, treatments, a comparable presentation or a first draft of the screenplay, as well as for the development of a production-ready and project-specific description of a film or corresponding preparatory work.
Production, post-production and distribution are not eligible for reference funding for the development of material for new feature-length films (writers, directors).
Reference funding for the preparation of new short films and non-feature-length children's films
FFA reference funds are awarded for a successful film and can be used to develop a new project (reference principle). Producers of short films and non-feature-length children's films can receive support for the preparation or production of new films by means of FFA reference funding.
Funding is provided for films with planned festival or cinema distribution. Series and television films are not eligible for funding.
The person or company to whom the reference funds were awarded is eligible to apply. As a rule, reference funds cannot be transferred.
Upon application, the FFA may allow funding to be used for particularly costly measures relating to the procurement of material, the procurement or development of screenplays, or in any other way for the preparation of a new short film or non-feature-length children's film.
A short film is a film with a running time of no more than 30 minutes, while a non-feature-length children's film has a running time of more than 30 minutes but no more than 58 minutes. The running time of the film, including the opening and closing credits, is decisive. Advertising and image films as well as music videos are not considered short films.
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Jury-based Cultural Development Funding
Jury-based cultural treatment and screenplay Funding
Treatment funding can be applied for to develop an idea into a treatment or comparable presentation for feature-length feature films, children's films or documentaries. The funding amount can be up to 15,000 euros. In addition, consulting services can be supported with up to 2,500 euros.
Script funding is divided into two phases and can be granted with a total of up to 40,000 euros.
In the first phase/basic funding, a treatment is developed into the first draft of the screenplay. The second phase/further development begins after the first phase has been approved, provided that a producer can demonstrate a serious intention to realise the project and is prepared to contribute 10,000 euros of their own funds to its development. In this phase, the first draft of the screenplay is further developed into a screenplay suitable for production preparation.
Complex animation projects can be supported with a total of 50,000 euros in funding.
In addition, consulting services worth up to 10,000 euros can be applied for to improve the quality of the material. Consulting services can include, for example, dramaturgical consulting, sensitivity reading, participation in script circles, etc.
The funding consists of non-repayable grants in the form of subsidies intended to secure the writers' livelihood during the funding period. These grants are not screenplay fees and cannot be counted towards them.
The applicant must be resident or have their place of business in Germany or, if based in another EU member state or an EEA contracting state, have a branch in Germany.
In the case of joint projects, funding can only be applied for by one person – with the consent of the other writers.
Jury-based cultural project development funding
Project development funding can be applied for measures relating to the acquisition of material, the acquisition and development of screenplays or other pre-production measures for the development of outstanding feature films, children's films and documentaries, including animated and experimental films and hybrid forms.
Funding of up to 100,000 euros can be granted for project development. In justified exceptional cases, the amount can be up to 150,000 euros for particularly complex animated film productions. The funding is provided as non-repayable grants in the form of subsidies.
The producer is eligible to apply. For documentaries, writers and directors are also eligible to apply. The producer must have a registered office or branch in Germany and be the owner of the rights to the material.
The project development measures must have significant German cultural characteristics.
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German-French Project Development Fund
The German-French Project Development Fund provides 200,000 euros annually for the development of new co-productions. The German Federal Film Board (FFA) and the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC) each contribute 100,000 euros. The focus is on projects by young talents.
The maximum funding amount is 50,000 euros and may cover a maximum of 70 per cent of development costs. Producers based in Germany and France who have completed professional film training or have experience in the film industry are eligible to apply. For at least one applicant, the proposed project must be their first or second feature film.
Funding applications must be submitted simultaneously. German producers submit their funding applications to the FFA, French producers to the CNC.
