Service Finder

back

Apply for federal film funding for the distribution of cinema films

Service Description

As a commercial film distributor, you can apply for federal film funding if you are distributing an artistically ambitious film. The funding is awarded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM).

You can receive a grant of up to EUR 100,000 for your film.

In order for the distribution to be funded, the film must have been predominantly financed in German.

Process flow

You must submit the application for distribution funding online to the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM).

Apply for funding online:

  • Go to the website of the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de and fill out the application form electronically.
    • You will need your ELSTER organization certificate for the online application
  • Upload the required documents as a file (in PDF format, maximum 10 megabytes per file) and submit the application.

Further procedural steps:

  • The Distribution Funding jury reviews the applications and proposes projects for funding.
  • After the funding meeting, the administrative processing of the funding takes place via the German Federal Film Board, which checks your application documents.
  • If the requirements for funding are met, you will receive a grant notification from the German Federal Film Board.
  • Work on the project may not begin before you receive the grant notification. In justified exceptional cases, an application for an early start can be submitted. Please use the form on the BKM website.

If approved: after the first public screening of the film, you must send a copy to the Federal Archive, unless this obligation has already been fulfilled elsewhere.

Requirements

To be able to submit an application, you must

  • be a commercial film distributor. In exceptional cases, self-distribution is possible.
  • a place of residence or business in Germany or

have a branch in Germany with a place of residence or business in another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

  • the film is artistically ambitious and meets the funding objectives of the BKM's cultural film funding guidelines;
  • the films must have a significant German cultural influence;
  • the minimum length for feature films and documentaries is 79 minutes, for children's films it is 59 minutes;
  • They must contribute at least 30 percent of the production costs;
  • You must observe the blocking periods according to the German Film Funding Act (FFG);

Which documents are required?

  • Online application (incl. viewing link)
  • Attachments to the application:
    • Financing plan
    • Calculation
    • Release concept
    • Lending contract
    • BAFA certificate
  • Confirmation of compliance with the blocking periods

What are the fees?

There are no costs.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

The submission deadlines are published on the website of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) under the heading Deadlines.

Processing duration

Approximately 12 weeks after the jury meeting, the Film Funding Agency issues the grant notification. The processing time varies depending on the completeness of the documents.

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Action before the administrative court

Appeal

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: No

Further Information

Author

The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM)


Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM)

Professionally released on

04.01.2024

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Start your request directly online:

Competent Authority

Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (BKM) - K 35 - Verleihförderung

Postal address
Potsdamer Platz 1
10785 Berlin, Stadt
Telephone
+49 30 1868143115
Fax
+49 30 18681543115
E-Mail
Contact us
E-Mail
Contact us
Opening times

Monday 09:00 - 16:00

Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00

Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00

Thursday 09:00 - 16:00

Friday 09:00 - 15:00

Other

Unit K 35, Isabelle Glaue