GUIDE TO GERMAN FILM SUBSIDIES
Introduction
This brochure aims to provide you with an overview of Germany’s vivid lm subsidy landscape, which in total accounts for
(federal and regional) subsidies of approx. EUR 300 million per year. For praccal reasons, we have limited this summary
to producon funding. Please note, however, that many schemes also provide for development and distribuon nancing.
1. FUNDING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE IN GERMANY
On a federal level, non-repayable grants for the producon of theatrical lms are available under the German Federal Film
Fund (Deutscher Filmförderfonds, “DFFF”), provided by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media
(Beauragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien, “BKM”). BKM also provides approx. EUR 30 million each year via
several subsidy schemes and prizes.
The German Federal Film Board (Filmförderungsanstalt, “FFA”) grants lm producon funding under the German Film
Subsidies Act (Filmförderungsgesetz, “FFG”) by way of limited recourse loans (so called “Project Funding”). Furthermore,
producers may benet from the economic success of their previous lm by way of applying to the FFA for reference funds,
which are disbursed as grants (“Reference Funding”).
Since 2016, producon funding for theatrical lms as well as for TV series is available under the new scheme of the
German Ministry of Economics, the German Moon Picture Fund (“GMPF”).
DFFF, GMPF, and FFA funding under the FFG are administered by the FFA.
In addion, almost every German state maintains a regional lm and TV subsidy scheme. Most provide regional producon
funding in the form of limited recourse loans, which must be repaid from certain proceeds of the exploitaon of the lm/
TV project according to a recoupment plan.
2. COMBINATION OF FUNDING PROGRAMS (IN GERMANY AND THE EU)
All German funding programs may be combined with each other as well as with European funding programs if the total
amount of subsidies does not exceed 50%, or 60% for co-producons funded by more than one Member State, as
provided by the European Commission’s cinema communicaon (as renewed in November 2013). Dicult projects (such
as short lms, lms by rst-me and second-me directors, documentaries, or low budget or otherwise commercially
dicult works) as well as co-producons involving countries eligible to receive ocial development assistance from OECD
are exempt from these limits.
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3. GERMANY – FEDERAL LEVEL
3.1 DFFF
Since 2007, the DFFF has contributed between EUR 50 and 70 million on a yearly basis. In early 2014, the grand coalion
decided to let the fund run indenitely without its previous three year limitaon. Its annual budget for 2017 is EUR 50
million. Including 2016, 1087 projects beneted from the DFFF with a total sum of approx. EUR 591 million. The DFFF
operates as a non-repayable grant.
3.1.1 Eligibility and Award Criteria
3.1.1.1 Eligible Projects
DFFF funding is only available for theatrical lms; TV-only producons do not qualify. The lm needs to be feature-
length (at least 79 minutes runme) with a minimum producon budget of EUR 1 million (feature lms), EUR 200,000
(documentaries) or EUR 2 million (animated lms), respecvely. The lm must be theatrically released in Germany with
a certain number of copies.
At least one nal version of the lm has to be in the German language; a dubbed or subtled version will meet this
requirement. Further, applicants must present a nal version of the lm with German subtles for the hearing impaired
and with German descripve audio track for the visually impaired (so-called “barrier-free” or accessible version). As a rule,
principal photography may only start aer an approving decision by the FFA, but producers may apply for exempons.
Following the award decision, shoong must commence within 4 months.
3.1.1.2 Applicaon
Applicaons have to be led with the FFA as competent authority for the DFFF at least 6 weeks prior to commencement
of principal photography or animaon works. There are no specic deadlines; the DFFF works on a rst come, rst served
basis. The budget tends to be exhausted towards the end of the year; hence, an early applicaon is advisable.
The applicant for DFFF funding must be 1) the producer responsible for and acvely involved in the producon of the lm,
and 2) domiciled or have an oce in Germany. In the case of internaonal co-producons, the applying co-producer has to
meet this requirement. Also, the applying co-producer must contribute at least 25% of the total producon costs (if these
costs exceed EUR 25 million, a German contribuon of at least EUR 5 million will suce regardless of the percentage).
The applying (co-)producer must have produced at least one theatrically released feature lm in Europe within the
preceding ve years.
In addion to proving that all requirements spulated in the guidelines are met, the applying producer has to present a
nancing plan demonstrang that at least 75% of the nancing for the lm has been secured and that the DFFF grant is
required to complete the nancing. Financing has to be fully closed within three months following the award decision by
FFA.
DFFF
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DFFF
3.1.1.3 Examples
Funding under the DFFF is open to internaonal co-producons. Since 2007, each year more than one third of funded
projects have been internaonal co-producons:
To date, the highest amount granted to a lm under the DFFF was EUR 10 million for Cloud Atlas in 2011. In 2007, Speed
Racer was awarded EUR 9 million and in 2013, The Monuments Men was awarded EUR 8.5 million. In 2015, A Cure for
Wellness received EUR 8.1 million.
A list of projects funded by the DFFF and currently in producon can be found at:
hp://www.df-a.de/foerderzusagen.html (in German) or hp://df-a.de/producon-review.html.
2007
99 projects incl. 34 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. Valkyrie, The Interna-
onal)
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2009
104 projects incl. 38 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. Inglourious Basterds,
The Ghost)
2008
99 projects incl. 37 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. The Reader, Last
Staon)
2010
105 projects incl. 43 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. Hanna, Three Mus-
keteers)
2011
111 projects incl. 44 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. Cloud Atlas, Hansel &
Gretel: Witch Hunters)
2012
115 projects incl. 40 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. Marioneen aka A
Most Wanted Man, Tarzan
3D, Rush, Beauty and the
Beast)
2013
115 projects incl. 41 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. Agent 47 aka Hitman
2, The Grand Budapest
Hotel, The Book Thief, The
Monuments Men, The
Voices)
2014
111 projects incl. 39 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. Autobahn, The
Hunger Games Mocking-
jay, Point Break, Heidi, St.
James Place)
2015
107 projects incl. 36 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. Captain America 3,
A Cure for Wellness, The
Lake, Eddie the Eagle)
2016
112 projects incl. 46 inter-
naonal co-producons
(e.g. Paerson & Findus,
Jim Knopf)
3.1.1.4 Minimum German Spend
A minimum of 25% of the total producon cost has to be spent in Germany (so-called “German Spend”). For producon
budgets exceeding EUR 20 million, a minimum German Spend of 20% is sucient. Alternavely, a total German Spend of
at least EUR 15 million will suce.
German Spend is dened as expenditure on lm related goods or services delivered or provided in Germany by companies
domiciled in Germany or individuals subject to (restricted or unrestricted) German tax liability. The applicable guidelines
dene the qualifying types of expenses in more detail.
Note: What is recognized as German Spend within the meaning of the minimum German Spend requirement does not fully
correspond with the German producon expenditures relevant for the calculaon of the amount of the grant (Qualifying
German Spend, see below).
3.1.1.5 Cultural Test
The lm has to pass a cultural test based on a points system to ensure that the project complies with the DFFF’s objecve
to support German lm culture. The tests, varying for feature lms, documentaries and animated lms, dierenate
between content, cast/crew and the use of producon facilies in Germany.
Films must meet a specied number of points in each secon to pass the test. As of 2017, the fund places specic
importance on sustainable producon. Under the new regulaons, producers may give a voluntary commitment to
produce sustainably when ling the applicaon, and although the commitment is voluntary, not giving it will result in a
deducon of points in the cultural test.
For internaonal co-producons within the scope of the European Convenon on Cinematographic Co-Producon (the
“European Convenon”), the points system established therein will be applicable in lieu of the DFFF cultural test.
3.1.1.6 Distribuon Requirements
The DFFF guidelines require a theatrical release in Germany within one year following compleon with a minimum of
45 copies (200 copies if the award granted is in excess of EUR 4 million). The requirements dier for animated lms and
documentaries. A binding distribuon agreement with a qualifying distributor must be submied to the DFFF at the me
of disbursement of the grant at the latest. A non-exhausve “white list” of qualifying distributors is available on the DFFF
website.
There are certain holdback periods that need to be observed aer the theatrical release of a subsidized lm in Germany:
For video/DVD exploitaon, on-demand services and pay-per-view in Germany or in the German language version, the
holdback period is six months; for pay TV subscripons: 12 months; and for free TV rights and free of charge on-demand
services: 18 months. Upon applicaon, the holdback periods may be shortened or waived completely under certain
circumstances.
The DFFF requires screen and (generally) paid-ad credits.
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DFFF
3.1.2 Award and Payment of Funds
The DFFF mainly operates on an automac basis: up to an award of EUR 4 million, funding is awarded without discreonal
decisions by a jury. However, the necessity of interpreng the criteria of the cultural test, many of which are rather vague,
gives the FFA a certain leeway in assessing the eligibility of a lm for funding.
The amount granted under the DFFF scheme is usually 20% of the Qualifying German Spend.
The criteria of what is recognized as “Qualifying German Spend” do not fully correspond with the German Spend within
the meaning of the minimum German Spend requirement (above), which broadly takes into account expenditure in
Germany. Such German Spend refers more generally to producon costs incurred in Germany. In contrast, for the purpose
of calculang the grant, there are certain limitaons as to the extent to which these German producon costs (or a
fracon thereof) are taken into account as Qualifying German Spend.
Costs incurred for exterior on-locaon shoong outside of Germany may be considered as Qualifying German spend if
shoong abroad on locaon is necessary to comply with dramaturgical exigencies of the script and such shoong would
not be possible in Germany (or only at unreasonable cost). Such costs only qualify for up to 40% of the total number of
shoong days, and save for the territorial requirement all other criteria for Qualifying German spend must be met (e.g.,
services must be provided by persons who are subject to tax liability in Germany or by companies with a place of business
in Germany, see above).
The Qualifying German Spend will only be taken into account up to 80% of total producon costs. Therefore, the net
benet of DFFF funding varies between 16% and 20% of the total Qualifying German Spend. The total maximum amount
is EUR 4 million per project, but exceponally, a maximum of up to EUR 10 million may be granted if a project’s German
Spend exceeds 35%, or if the cultural test quota exceeds 66.6%. Awards exceeding EUR 4 million are subject to a board
decision.
Also, the producer is required to follow certain principles of economic producon, and the FFA examines the budget and
may disregard certain producon costs.
Funds are paid as non-repayable grants and are usually disbursed upon compleon of producon and nal audit of the
producon gures. Alternavely, upon applicaon, funds may also be paid out in three installments (start of principal
photography, compleon of the rough cut, and nal audit of cost; for grants exceeding EUR 2 million, a compleon bond
or bank guarantee will be required for disbursement in installments).
The English DFFF guidelines, including the Cultural Test and the Qualifying German Spend, are available here:
hp://www.df-a.de/guidelines.html.
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3.2 PROJECT FUNDING AND REFERENCE FUNDING UNDER THE FFG
The FFA also administers the Project Funding and Reference Funding schemes governed by the FFG and applicable
guidelines. Producers can apply for both types of funding for the same lm. Financial producon support is granted for
feature lms with a runme of at least 79 minutes, short lms, documentaries and children’s lms with a runme of at
least 59 minutes. Funds are sourced from levies that the FFA collects from exhibitors, video and online distributors, TV
providers and program marketers, and awarded on a jury based procedure.
In 2015, the FFA granted EUR 29.1 million in producon funding (EUR 14.7 million in Reference Funding and EUR 14.4
million in Project Funding). Recent funding examples include Fack Ju, Göthe 2 (reference funding of EUR 2 million in 2016),
Hänsel & Gretel – Witch Hunters (reference funding of EUR 485,727 in 2014), Tschick (Project Funding of EUR 500,000 in
2015) and Der Medicus (reference funding of EUR 967,733 in 2015).
The FFG was renewed and recently updated for the period of 2017 to 2021.
3.2.1 General Requirements
3.2.1.1 Requirements Relang to the Producon of the Film
To qualify for subsidies, the FFG requires for all lms that (i) one of the responsible producers has its place of business
or, if it is established in another EEA state or Switzerland, an oce in Germany and (ii) that a nal version of the lm is
produced or dubbed in German. In addion, a number of cultural criteria relang, inter alia, to story, seng and cast
apply.
For internaonal co-producons, funds may be granted if the above criteria are fullled and
>
the lm meets the requirements of the European Convenon and the applicant producer contributes at least 20% of
the overall producon costs, or
>
the lm falls within the ambit of a bilateral or mullateral co-producon treaty concluded by Germany and the
applicant producer contributes at least 30% of the overall producon costs.
Outside the scope of the European Convenon or a co-producon treaty, internaonal co-producons may qualify for
subsidies if (i) compared to the other contribuons, the nancial contribuon of the applicant producer is considerable
(generally around 30%), and (ii) at least 30% of cast and crew are cizens of an EEA member state. In case of a German
majority co-producer, the lm has to premiere in the German language in Germany, or as a German contribuon at a
selected internaonal lm fesval. Compared to the standard cultural criteria, the cultural requirements for internaonal
co-producons are considerably lower in order to facilitate cross border co-producons in Germany.
FFA Funding
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FFA Funding
3.2.1.2 Distribuon Requirements
The FFG provides for the same holdback periods as the DFFF (see above), and must receive screen credits for its funding.
3.2.2 Project Funding Requirements
3.2.2.1 Eligibility and Award Criteria
The producer must provide at least 5% of the budget as its own contribuon (equity or full recourse debt nance). For
internaonal co-producons, the percentage is determined based on the German part of the total budget. The producer’s
own contribuon can be nanced through equity capital or debt nance. Presales may also count as a producer’s own
contribuon.
Based on script, talent and crew, the lm must be expected to “enhance the quality and protability of German lm”,
as determined by the FFA. The producer is required to follow certain principles of economic producon, and the FFA
examines the budget and may disregard certain producon costs.
3.2.2.2 Award, Payment and Repayment of Funding
Project funding is granted as an interest-free, limited recourse loan of at least EUR 200,000 (EUR 100,000 for documentaries),
and paid in four installments: (i) 25% upon start of principal photography, (ii) up to 50% during principal photography, (iii)
up to 15% upon nalizaon of the rst (rough) cut, (iv) 10% aer nal audit of the producon costs.
The amount granted must be repaid once the producer’s proceeds from the exploitaon of the lm exceed 5% of the
accredited producon costs, with 50% of such proceeds to be used for repayment. If the producer provides more than
5% of the budget, more favorable repayment terms may be agreed with the FFA. The repayment obligaon terminates 10
years aer theatrical release.
3.2.2.3 Applicaon
Applicaons must be submied prior to the start of principal photography. There are no hard applicaon deadlines;
applicaons for project producon funding can be led connually and will be considered in the respecve following jury
meeng (held 6 mes a year). They must include, inter alia, the script (including assignment of rights), budget, cost plan,
nance and recoupment plan, cast and crew list, a distribuon agreement or statement of envisaged distribuon.
3.2.3 Reference Funding Requirements
A producer can apply for funding of a new lm if it has already produced a lm which obtained a certain number of
reference points. The most important requirements for Reference Funding are the following:
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3.2.3.1 Eligibility Criteria With Regard to the Funded Film
The nancing of the funded lm must be secured, and combined subsidies may not exceed 50% of the budget (in case of
internaonal co-producons, 50% of the German part of the budget). The producer is required to follow certain principles
of economic producon (specied in the FFA guidelines), and the FFA will examine the budget and may disregard certain
producon costs.
Based on the script, cast and crew, the lm must be expected to “enhance the quality and protability of German lm”.
Any copies for theatrical release in Germany must be produced in Germany or another EEA state.
3.2.3.2 Eligibility Criteria With Regard to the Reference Film
In pracce, the FFA requires the reference lm to also comply with the requirements for the funded lm.
The reference lm must have at least 150,000 (or 300,000 or 500,000, depending on the producon budget) reference
points, which can, inter alia, be earned from box oce admissions (the number of admissions equaling reference points),
and recognized lm awards during a certain period of me aer theatrical release.
3.2.3.3 Amount, Payment and Repayment of Funds
The FFA may grant up to EUR 2 million per project as Reference Funding. The overall amount available for Reference
Funding each year will be distributed between all qualifying reference lms, in relaon to their success. If the reference
lm is an internaonal co-producon, funding is only awarded up to the amount of the co-producon share of the German
applicant.
Reference Funding is generally non-repayable. Funds will only have to be repaid if the funded lm or the producer fails to
meet the FFG requirements (e.g. if the funded lm does not meet the cultural criteria or if the producer has made false
statements in order to obtain the subsidy). Reference Funding must be used for the producon of the new lm within
three years of the award.
3.2.3.4 Applicaon Procedure
In general, applicaons for Reference Funding must be submied no later than 15 months (for feature lms) or 39 months
(for children’s lms/documentaries) aer theatrical release. Disbursement of grants for the current year will only be
considered if the applicaon is led by 31 January of that year. Principal photography for the funded lm must not start
before Reference Funding has been awarded.
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GMPF Funding
3.3 GMPF
As of December 2015, the German Moon Picture Fund as the new incenve by the German Ministry of Economics
(“BMWi”) accepts applicaons for producon funding of internaonally co-produced theatrical lms and of high-end
TV series. The GMPF has an annual budget of EUR 10 million and aims at promong digital/VFX producon in Germany.
It features similar requirements and mechanisms as the DFFF, i.e., it is run as an automac scheme and provides non-
repayable grants. As of now, the GMPF is limited in me unl end of 2018.
English guidelines are available here: www.bmwi.de/Redakon/EN/Arkel/Economy/german-moon-picture-fund.html.
3.3.1 Eligibility and Award Criteria
3.3.1.1 Films
Funding is available for internaonally co-produced feature-length theatrical lms (79 minutes, or 59 minutes for children’s
lms).
The total producon cost must be at least EUR 25 million. Both the applicant German co-producer as well as the
internaonal co-producon partner must make a nancial contribuon of at least 20%. In case producon costs exceed
EUR 35 million, a nancial contribuon of at least EUR 7 million on the part of the applicant is sucient.
3.3.1.2 TV Series
Whole seasons or individual episodes of feature-length TV series may be funded if they feature a connuing story arch with
at least six episodes per season, irrespecve of whether they are intended for linear or non-linear recepon. Each episode
must have a runme of at least 40 minutes and producon costs of at least EUR 1.2 million. German TV broadcasters may
generally not contribute more than 60% of the nancing (70% if the series is not lmed in Germany).
3.3.1.3 Applicaon Procedure
The GMPF is administered by the FFA. Applicaons must be made 6 weeks prior to the start of principle photography,
which may generally only start aer the subsidy has been awarded.
As for the DFFF, there are no applicaon deadlines. Applicaons will be processed on a rst come, rst served basis. In its
rst year, the GMPF budget was exhausted by mid-2016. Hence, an applicaon early in the year is advisable.
The (co-)producer of a lm/series may apply if it is resident or has a registered oce in Germany (or a place of business
or establishment in Germany If the applicant is resident or has its registered oce in a dierent EU member state or in
another EEA) and has produced at least one feature lm or TV series in Germany or the EU/EEA in the ve years prior to
the applicaon that has been released in German theaters or been accepted for distribuon, respecvely.
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3.3.1.4 German Spend, Cultural Test
The producer is required to follow certain principles of economic producon, and the FFA examines the budget and may
disregard certain producon costs.
Both lms and series must spend a certain amount of the producon cost in Germany (“German Producon Cost”):
>
For Films, the German Producon Cost must be at least 40% of total producon costs, or at least EUR 13 million.
>
For Series, the German Producon Cost must be at least 40% of total producon costs, or at least EUR 10 million.
The lm/series must also reach a certain number of points under a cultural test, which is similar to the DFFF’s, but takes
into account more heavily any digital lmmaking/VFX in Germany and the EU.
3.3.1.5 Distribuon Requirements
Funded lms must be released in German theaters within one year of compleon, with evidence of the intended release
submied together with the applicaon. The holdback periods under the FFG (see above) apply.
Funded series must be distributed on German TV or on VOD-plaorms accessible in Germany within one year of
compleon, with evidence of the intended distribuon submied together with the applicaon.
A nal version of the lm/series must be produced in German or with German subtles, and there must be a barrier-free
version (audio descripon and subtles for the impaired). FFA/BMWi must be awarded credits for the funding.
3.3.2 Award and Payment of Funds
The grant can only be approved once the applicant has demonstrated that 75% of the producon costs of the project have
already been nanced. The closing of the nancing must be demonstrated within three months of the award. Work on
lming or animaon must start within 4 months of receipt of the award.
Like the DFFF, the GMPF is run as an automac system (no jury decision) and provides non-repayable grants. The funding
will be paid out aer nal audit of the costs, or exceponally, in installments upon applicaon (a compleon bond or
guarantee will be necessary for grants exceeding EUR 2 million).
3.3.2.1 Amount of Grant for Films
Generally the grant will be an amount of 10% of the recognized German Producon Cost. 20% of the recognized German
Producon Cost can be awarded if at least EUR 1 million is spent on digital lmmaking/VFX in Germany, such decision to
be made by the FFA in agreement with the BMWi. In any case, the grant is capped at EUR 2.5 million.
3.3.2.2 Amount of Grant for Series
Generally the grant will be an amount of 20% of the recognized German Producon Cost, with a maximum of EUR 2.5
million per season (irrespecve of whether individual episodes of a season or enre seasons are funded). Up to EUR 4
million may be granted if the German Producon Cost amounts to at least EUR 20 million and at least EUR 1 million are
spent on digital lmmaking/VFX in Germany, such decision to be made by the FFA in agreement with the BMWi.
In 2016, its rst year, the fund was spent enrely on the producon of TV series. Funding examples include series such as
Babylon Berlin, Berlin Staon and You are Wanted.
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Regional Funds
4. REGIONAL FILM FUNDS IN GERMANY
Film funding schemes are available in virtually every German state. Basically, these schemes all follow the same lines:
Subsidies are granted as a limited recourse loan, which is paid out in installments during the producon process and must
be repaid from dened parts of the proceeds from the exploitaon of the lm, usually aer recoupment of the producer’s
own costs. As a general rule, the regional schemes are governed by the regional body’s guidelines and the FFG.
In contrast to DFFF and FFG funding, most regional schemes also provide for TV producon funding. Also, as of recently,
two state schemes have introduced special subsidies for producons with a high level of VFX or digital eding (Baden-
Würemberg and Bavaria, see below).
Applicaons have to contain detailed informaon about the project, inter alia, the script, budget, nance and recoupment
plan, cast and crew list, pre-sales contracts, and, in some cases, a current balance sheet of the applicant’s company.
Internaonal co-producons may qualify if the German co-producon partner is the applicant. In order to qualify for a
loan and to secure repayment, the producer has to grant the funding instuon a security interest in the rights to the lm.
The main objecve of regional funding schemes is the promoon of regional lm culture or industry. Therefore, the
main criterion is that the producon spends at least an amount equal to the amount of the subsidy in the respecve
region (“Local Spend Requirement”). As under the FFG regime, holdback periods are imposed for video/DVD, VOD and TV
exploitaon. Also, TV rights for the German territory must not be granted for more than ve years, aer which me these
rights have to revert to the producer. The funding instuons usually request screen credits and require that the German
premiere takes place in their region (unless another state has granted higher subsidies).
The budgets of the funding instuons tend to be exhausted towards the end of the year; hence, an early applicaon is
advisable. Principal photography must not have commenced when the applicaon is submied.
The most important funding programs are those in Baden-Würemberg, Bavaria, Berlin/Brandenburg, North Rhine-
Westphalia and Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt/Thuringia. Their producon funding schemes are laid out below in further detail.
4.1 BERLIN/BRANDENBURG
Berlin-Brandenburg grants subsidies through Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg GmbH (“MBB”). In 2016, MBB granted
EUR 22.7 million in producon funding. The funding decisions focus on the quality of the script, encouragement of young
talents and support for internaonal co-producons.
4.1.1 MBB Producon Funding
4.1.1.1 Eligibility and Award Criteria
Funding may be granted for the producon of feature-length lms and short lms, either for theatrical moon pictures or
TV producons (lms and series). There is a special scheme for producon funding of series, which includes serial drama
as well as web-series, entertainment and factual producons.
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As a general rule, the applicant has to have its residence in the Berlin-Brandenburg region or in Germany. However,
funding may also be granted if it is in the parcular media-cultural or economic interest of the region. The applicant is to
contribute an adequate contribuon to the total budget of at least 30%, with at least 5% of the budget consisng of equity
or full-recourse debt nance. The applicant must have entered into a theatrical distribuon agreement for Germany. The
Local Spend Requirement is set at a minimum of 100% of the amount of the subsidy. Principal photography must not have
commenced, and a personal consultaon with an MBB case ocer is mandatory, prior to applicaon.
For TV producons, a distribuon deal must be in place. The project has to serve the interests of Berlin-Brandenburg, or
it has to be produced with internaonal co-producers or for the internaonal market.
The MBB deadlines for producon funding are published on MBB’s website. For 2017, they are February 21, April 18,
July 4, September 19, and November 21.
4.1.1.2 Amount, Payment and Repayment of Funds
MBB grants subsidies as interest-free limited recourse loans, payable in installments. There is no nominal limit for the
amount granted. Granted producon funds generally have to be repaid from 50% of the producer’s share of the proceeds
derived from the exploitaon of the lm aer recoupment of its own contribuon (with certain limitaons in case the
producer owns an interest in the distribuon enes). The repayment obligaon ceases ve years aer theatrical release
in Germany, or ten years aer a TV product has rst been broadcast. In general, MBB requires a security interest in the
rights to the project to secure the applicant’s repayment obligaon.
4.1.2 Funding Examples
Among the lms funded in recent years are Jim Knopf (2016, EUR 800,000), High Life (2016, EUR 250,000), Mute (2016,
EUR 200,000), A Cure for Wellness (2015, EUR 500,000), Passengers (2014, EUR 1 million), Honig im Kopf (2014, EUR
900,000), and A Hologram for the King (2013, EUR 1 million).
Under the special scheme for series, MBB gave two grants of EUR 1 million each in both 2015 and 2016 to the h season
of Homeland for its Berlin shoot. In 2016, Babylon Berlin (which had already received EUR 150.000 in 2015) received EUR
1.5 million for episodes 9-16.
4.2 NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA
North Rhine-Westphalia (“NRW”) grants subsidies through the Film- und Mediensung NRW GmbH (“Filmsung”).
Filmsung focuses on producon funding (2016 budget: approx. EUR 35 million) for both lms and TV series.
4.2.1 Producon Funding
4.2.1.1 Eligibility and Award Criteria
It is not required that applicants have a seat or oce in Germany, but the project has to be produced in the region of
NRW and must have the prospect of successful exploitaon and/or provide benets to the lm-making culture. The Local
Spend Requirement is a minimum of 150% of the amount of the subsidy. The applicant must contribute at least 5% of the
producon costs to the nancing of the lm from its own funds. Excepons to most of the condions for funding can be
made if the project is parcularly benecial to the NRW lm culture or lm industry.
Greenberg Traurig Germany, LLP | www.gtlaw.de 13
Regional Funds
The upcoming Filmsung deadlines for producon funding, as published on their website, are February 2, May 4,
July 20, September 28, and November 23, 2017.
4.2.1.2 Amount, Payment and Repayment of Funds
The Filmsung grants subsidies as interest-free limited-recourse loans. The loan may not exceed 50% of the applicant’s
contribuon or 50% of the total producon costs, respecvely. For low budget or especially dicult producons, a
maximum of 80% may be granted. Aer the producer’s own investment has been recouped from the exploitaon of the
lm in Germany and abroad, 50% of the proceeds must be used for repayment. The repayment obligaon terminates 10
years aer theatrical release or rst broadcast of the lm.
4.2.2 Funding Examples
In 2015, the highly acclaimed series Babylon Berlin was awarded EUR 1.5 million in producon funds. In 2016, Babylon
Berlin’s second season received EUR 500,000, while High Life received EUR 1.2 million. Successful lms funded in recent
years include Der Medicus, The Reader, and Buddenbrooks.
4.3 SAXONY/SAXONY-ANHALT/THURINGIA
The states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia jointly grant subsidies through the Mieldeutsche Medienförderung
(“MDM”). MDM’s budget in 2015 for producon funding (including producon funding for budding lmmakers) was
approx. EUR 14 million.
4.3.1 Producon Funding
4.3.1.1 Eligibility and Award Criteria
Subsidies are granted to producers (of feature lms, TV producons and others) that have already entered into distribuon
agreements. The applicant has to make a certain contribuon in the form of own capital, services and full-recourse debt
nance. The Local Spend Requirement is a minimum of 100% of the amount of the subsidy.
MDM deadlines are published on their websites (for 2017: January 19, April 6, July 6, and October 5). Applicants have to
consult with MDM at least two weeks before subming.
4.3.1.2 Amount, Payment and Repayment of Funds
As a rule, subsidies are granted by way of limited recourse loans. The MDM guidelines provide for a limited aid intensity
of 50% of the total producon budget, including subsidies awarded by other organizaons. In principle, loans have to be
repaid aer recoupment of the applicant’s own contribuon. The repayment obligaon regarding limited recourse loans
will end aer a certain period as determined in the loan agreement.
4.3.2 Funding Examples
Among the funded projects are both successful naonal lms and internaonal co-producons such as The Monuments
Men, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Goethe!, Inglourious Basterds, Irina Palm and The Reader. Most recently, A Cure for
Wellness was awarded EUR 400,000 (2015), while The Lile Witch received EUR 650,000 (2015).
14 Greenberg Traurig Germany, LLP | www.gtlaw.de
4.4 BAVARIA
Bavaria grants subsidies through the FilmFernsehFonds Bayern (“FFF”). The FFF has an annual budget of approx. EUR 23
million (as of 2015) for producon funding.
4.4.1 FFF Producon Funding
4.4.1.1 Eligibility and Award Criteria
The applicant must be based, or have an oce, in Germany. The projected lm (theatrical or TV; series are not funded) has
to be “worthy of funding” in a qualitave and economic sense. The applicant has to contribute an adequate share to the
nancing. Such contribuon may consist of equity or full-recourse debt nance, own services and assets and minimum
guarantees paid during the producon of the lm.
At least 5% of the nancing must be accomplished by equity or debt nancing. In general, funding also requires a theatrical
distribuon agreement for Germany to be in place.
The Local Spend Requirement is a minimum of 150% of the amount of the subsidy.
The FFF applicaon deadlines are published on their website. For 2017, they are January 16, March 20, May 29,
September 18 and November 6.
4.4.1.2 Amount, Payment and Repayment of Funds
Subsidies are granted as limited recourse loans. They amount to a maximum share of 30% of the producon costs with a
ceiling of EUR 1.6 million for theatrical moon pictures and EUR 530,000 for TV producons. Renancing of the funded
amount on the naonal and internaonal market must be generally feasible. The loan is repaid from the proceeds from
naonal and internaonal exploitaon of the lm. Interest accrues for 18 months aer the German premiere. The producer
may recoup its own contribuon rst, aer that, 50% of the applicant’s prots shall be used to repay the loan. The repayment
obligaon for moon pictures terminates, as a general rule, ten years aer the lm’s premiere.
4.4.2 FFF Funding for Internaonal Co-Producons
Since 2015, FFF also operates a special scheme for internaonal co-producons and VFX heavy projects. Funds can be
awarded to the German co-producer for internaonally co-produced theatrical lms with a total budget of EUR 5 million
and a German contribuon of 50% (or at least EUR 5 million).
Also, in exceponal cases line producers for VFX/creave digital eding of big internaonal producons may be granted
subsidies of up to EUR 500,000. There are no applicaon deadlines for this scheme.
4.4.3 Funding Examples
Among the lms funded by the FFF are successful naonal lms such as The Lives of Others as well as internaonal
co-producons like Roland Emmerich’s Anonymous and, most recently, Snowden. In 2015, Captain America 3 received
EUR 450,000, and in 2016, Transformers 5 received EUR 160,000 under the new VFX subsidy scheme for internaonal
co-producons.
Greenberg Traurig Germany, LLP | www.gtlaw.de 15
Regional Funds
4.5 BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
The State of Baden-Würemberg grants subsidies through the Medien- und Filmgesellscha Baden-Würemberg
(“MFG”). For 2015 and 2016, MFG’s total budget was increased to approx. EUR 16 million (with approx. EUR 9 million for
producon funding, which includes producon of short lms, TV lms and series, and documentaries).
4.5.1 Producon Funding
4.5.1.1 Eligibility and Award Criteria
The MFG funds the producon of feature lms, TV and video producons (including TV series). Since October 2014, in
exceponal cases line producers may apply for funding of theatrical lms or internaonal TV producons with a high level
of VFX or digital eding.
The Local Spend Requirement is a minimum of 120% of the amount of the subsidy. The producer must contribute an own
investment of at least 5% of the budgeted costs to the lm.
The applicaon deadlines for producon funding are published on the MFG website, and for 2017 are February 2,
July 6, and November 9.
4.5.1.2 Amount, Payment and Repayment of Funds
Theatrical moon pictures with budgets exceeding EUR 500,000 can be funded with up to 50% of the applicant’s
contribuon to the budget (with a ceiling of EUR 1 million). The maximum funding for lms with smaller budgets is 70% of
the applicant’s contribuon to the budget. For internaonal co-producons, only the German co-producon share counts
as budgeted costs. TV producons are funded with up to 30% of the applicant’s share in the budget. Subsidies are usually
granted as limited recourse loans repayable from 50% of the distribuon proceeds aer recoupment of the applicant’s
own investment. In exceponal cases, subsidies may also be awarded as non-repayable grants.
4.5.2 Funding Examples
Most recently, MFG funded Passengers (EUR 600,000, 2014), Bridge of Spies (EUR 600,000, 2014), A Cure for Wellness
(EUR 400,000, 2015), The Lake (EUR 150,000, 2015) and Captain America 3 (EUR 350,000, 2015). In 2015, the newly
established VFX subsidies were awarded to HBO series Game of Thrones (EUR 150,000) for the producon of its season 5
and to MTV series Shannara (Season 1, EUR 300,000).
16 Greenberg Traurig Germany, LLP | www.gtlaw.de
FILM SUBSIDY ORGANIZATIONS IN GERMANY
Contacts for Applications
Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA)
Große Präsidentenstraße 9
10178 Berlin, Germany
www.a.de
www.df-a.de
www.a.de/german-moon-picture-fund-1.html
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und
Energie (BMWi)
Scharnhorststraße 34-37
10115 Berlin, Germany
www.bmwi-gmpf.de
Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für
Kultur und Medien (BKM)
Köthener Straße 2
10963 Berlin, Germany
hp://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/DE/
Bundesregierung/BeauragtefuerKulturundMedien/
medien/lmfoerderung/_node.html
Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH
August-Bebel-Straße 26-53
14482 Potsdam, Germany
www.medienboard.de
Film- und Medienstiftung NRW GmbH
Kaistraße 14
40221 Düsseldorf, Germany
www.lmsung.de
Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung GmbH
Hainstraße 17-19
04109 Leipzig, Germany
www.mdm-online.de
FilmFernsehFonds Bayern GmbH
Sonnenstraße 21
80331 Munich, Germany
www.f-bayern.de
MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft
Baden-Württemberg mbH
Breitscheidstraße 4
70174 Stugart, Germany
hp://lm.mfg.de
Greenberg Traurig Germany, LLP | www.gtlaw.de 17
Your Team
Please contact us for further information on the various national and regional film subsidy
schemes available in Germany.
Dr. Stefan Lütje
Partner
+49 30 700 171 148
stefan.luetje@gtlaw.com
Georg von Wallis
Partner
+49 30 700 171 162
georg.vonwallis@gtlaw.com
Dr. Viola Bensinger
Partner
+49 30 700 171 150
viola.bensinger@gtlaw.com
Dr. Henrik Armah
Partner
+49 30 700 171 137
henrik.armah@gtlaw.com
Dr. Niklas Conrad
Senior Associate
+49 30 700 171 160
niklas.conrad@gtlaw.com
Dr. Laura Maria Zentner
Senior Associate
+49 30 700 171 180
laura.zentner@gtlaw.com
“A team that enjoys a high market reputation thanks to the depth and breadth of its
industries insight and its outstanding strategic and economic understanding.”
– The Legal 500 Germany, 2016
18 Greenberg Traurig Germany, LLP | www.gtlaw.de
This guide was last updated in January 2017. It contains general informaon based on German law and, although we
endeavor to ensure that the content is accurate and up to date, users should seek appropriate legal advice before taking
or refraining from taking any acon. The contents of this guide should not be construed as legal advice and we disclaim
any liability in relaon to its use.
Greenberg Traurig Germany, LLP | www.gtlaw.de 19
GREENBERG TRAURIG GERMANY, LLP | ATTORNEYS AT LAW | WWW.GTLAW.DE
Greenberg Traurig is a service mark and trade name of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. ©2017 Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Aorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Images in this brochure may not depict
Greenberg Traurig clients or facilies. Any case outcomes reported in this brochure are unique to the parcular clients and all facts involved in those individual maers. Prior results cannot and do not guarantee or
predict a similar outcome with respect to any future maer. Numbers relang to the number of lawyers and governmental aairs professionals as well as locaons are subject to periodic change.
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