Service Finder
Request crediting of media services from film tax calculation
Service Description
The German Federal Film Board (FFA) awards media services via agreements with public and private television broadcasters and pay-TV providers. These are advertising periods during which a theatrical film can be advertised on television and radio.
You can apply for media services if you are the distributor of a German theatrical film,
- which is released nationwide and
- with at least 25 copies
in cinemas nationwide.
Media services are short spots from private and public television broadcasters with which the film can be advertised on television and/or on the radio of the ARD state broadcasters.
Media services can be applied for and approved for a film for theatrical release in different amounts for different categories.
The media services for the theatrical release of a film are determined according to 3 categories
The media services of private television broadcasters are awarded according to the following categories:
- Category A: EUR 200,000.00
- Category B: EUR 300,000.00
- Category C: EUR 400,000.00
The media services of public broadcasters are awarded according to the following categories, whereby the FFA will inform you of the internal distribution between ARD and ZDF.
- Category A: EUR 100,000.00
- Category B: EUR 200,000.00
- Category C: EUR 300,000.00.
The media service categories A and B can be combined with those of private television broadcasters
In the event that you have also applied for media services for the promotion of video or video-on-demand first releases, your film must be worth
- have been granted at least EUR 200,000 in media services for the promotion of the theatrical release of your film and
- have reached a certain number of viewers.
Once the media services have been approved, you can contact the broadcaster directly or use an agency to book the media services. The individual television broadcasters report to the German Federal Film Board (FFA) at regular intervals on the media services they have booked. This enables the FFA to check whether your media services have been broadcast to the extent granted.
Please note
The application for media services should be submitted at the same time as the application for project distribution funding.
Process flow
You must submit the application online to the German Federal Film Board (FFA).
- First arrange a personal or telephone consultation with the FFA. During this meeting, you will receive important information on the requirements and application process. You will also have the opportunity to clarify any unanswered questions.
- Submit your application online. Complete the application electronically. Print it out and sign it. Send the application and all documents to the FFA by post and electronically, and the FFA will confirm receipt of your application and check it.
- The application is then submitted to the Commission for Distribution, Sales and Video Funding.
- The commission makes a decision on eligibility for funding.
- You will be notified of the decision by post in the form of an approval or rejection notice.
- The second installment of 25 percent will be paid after completion of the project and verification of the final costs by an auditing company.
Requirements
Applications can be submitted:
-
Distributors of theatrical films
- nationwide and
- with at least 25 copies
in theaters
Further requirements:
-
The application must state whether it is a micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) with
- less than 250 employees and
- a maximum annual turnover of EUR 50 million or
- a maximum balance sheet total of EUR 43 million
acts
When applying for additional video or video-on-demand first releases, at least
- at least EUR 200,000 in media services must have been approved and
- a certain number of viewers must be reached.
Which documents are required?
You must submit the following with your application
- Declaration of the type and amount of funding requested
- Marketing concept (if applicable, a statement that you intend to use it for radio advertising)
- Detailed description of the TV campaign,
- Calculation of release costs and financing plan
- Distribution contract
- Number of release copies
- Preview DVD of the theatrical version,
- Obligation to provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) of the theatrical version for viewing in a technical format to be agreed with the German Federal Film Board (FFA)
- Declaration that embargo periods will be observed
- Details of producer, director and actors
-
Indication of expected audience figures approx. 15 second spot or a detailed description
What are the fees?
- In the case of multiple checks: 1.7 percent of the approved grant amount
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
Application:
The application must be submitted to the German Federal Film Board (FFA) no later than one month before the official theatrical release. Please note, however, that the Distribution, Sales and Video Commission must decide on approval in good time before the film release so that you can still book the TV spots for the film release.
Processing duration
for processing the funding decision: Depending on the scheduling of the commission meetings. Processing approx. 1 week after meeting
Legal basis
Applications / forms
- Contradiction
-
Administrative court action
Appeal
- Forms: yes
- Online procedure possible: yes
- Written form required: yes
-
Personal appearance required: no
Further Information
Author
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
- Application for crediting of media services for the calculation of the film levy granted to public and private television broadcasters and pay-TV broadcasters
Remark: Display of performance in the source portal
Technically approved by
The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM)
Professionally released on
26.01.2021
Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)
Competent Authority
Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) German Federal Film Board Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts
Address
10178 Berlin, Stadt
Opening times
Monday to Friday: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
