The FFA supports distributors of feature films, talent films, children's films, documentaries and animated films by means of reference distribution funding. This funding is provided in two stages. In the first stage, the reference funds are awarded. After receiving the award notification, an application can be made within three years in the second stage to use the reference funding for a new project.

The application for approval must be submitted by 1 March of the same calendar year at the latest. Applications submitted after this date will only be considered in the following year.

A prerequisite for the applicationl is that the reference film has been successfully exploited by the distributor submitting the application. The amount of funding then depends on the total number of points achieved, the number of applicants and the total budget of the FFA, the amount of which varies annually. Funding is awarded once a year at the end of May. Non-repayable grants are awarded, which can be invested in a new project.

Distribution companies that are regularly active and have their registered office or a branch in Germany are eligible to apply. The definition is as follows:

• A regularly active distribution company is a distribution company that has premiered at least two feature-length films with at least 35 prints in the 12 months prior to submitting the application. In the case of documentary, talent and children's films, the premiere must have been carried out with at least 15 prints.
• Distribution companies that have screened a feature-length film for the first time with at least 15 prints and attracted at least 50,000 viewers at the standard market admission price can also be recognised as operating on a regular basis. In addition, these distribution companies must submit a business plan for the 12 months following the application. This must show that at least two feature-length films with at least 35 prints will be released. Funding is subject to the business plan being implemented.

Legal entities under private law in which one or more legal entities under public law have a direct or indirect stake are not eligible to apply.

The FFA supports the release of films in the form of media services. Media services are advertising slots that can be used to promote theatrical films on television, radio or online by VoD providers.

Application

Regularly active distribution companies with feature-length German films are eligible to apply. A prerequisite for applying for media services is that the film's theatrical release takes place no earlier than two weeks after the decision date set by the FFA, i.e. the date of the funding meeting.

Regularly active distribution companies are eligible to apply. A distribution company is considered to be regularly active if it has released at least two feature-length films with at least 35 prints in the 12 months prior to submitting the application. In the case of documentaries, talent films and children's films, the initial release must have been made with at least 15 prints.

The jury-based cultural distribution funding can support the distribution of artistically ambitious feature-length films with grants of up to 150,000 euros. The funding is generally aimed at films with a significant German cultural influence and with distribution costs of up to 600,000 euros.

The maximum limit on distribution costs does not apply to films that were produced with jury-based production funding in accordance with these or previous guidelines for cultural film funding by the BKM, with funds from the German Film Award and the German Short Film Award, or that were funded by the production funding and talent promotion programmes of the Kuratorium junger deutscher Film (Board of Trustees for Young German Film). Further exceptions may be permitted in individual cases.

The distributor must contribute at least 30 per cent of the distribution costs to the release costs. The own share must be made in cash funds.

The jury for distribution funding holds up to four meetings a year.

Commercial distribution companies that have their registered office in Germany or, if based in another EU member state or an EEA contracting state, have a branch in Germany are eligible to apply.