Service Finder

back

Apply for cinema project funding

Service Description

The German Federal Film Board (FFA) supports cinema operators and their cinemas in Germany with its funding. This funding is based on the project principle and serves to maintain or improve structures. It also supports measures to create accessibility in cinemas and digital equipment for audio description and/or subtitles. Furthermore, funding can be applied for for business consulting for cinemas, for media education support for children and young people and for the regular screening of short films as supporting films in cinemas or original short film programs. You can apply for funding from the German Federal Film Board (FFA) for the following measures:

  • You can receive funding of up to EUR 200,000, in exceptional cases up to EUR 350,000, for the modernization and improvement of cinemas and new cinema buildings, provided they serve to improve the structure. The funding amounts to a maximum of 50 percent of the total eligible costs. You will receive up to 30 percent of this funding as a non-repayable grant and 70 percent as an interest-free loan. The term of the loan depends on the loan amount. The maximum term is 10 years.
  • You can receive a grant of up to 50 percent of the total eligible costs for creating accessibility in cinemas. The funding for creating accessibility can exceed the maximum funding amount.
  • You can receive grants of up to EUR 200,000 for measures for contractually agreed cooperation between cinemas, for exceptional or exemplary advertising or marketing measures and for other measures that appear suitable for strengthening the competitiveness of cinemas as a whole and ensuring their nationwide preservation.
  • You can receive grants of up to EUR 5,000 for consulting services for cinemas and for the screening of media-educational children's and youth film programs in cinemas.
  • You can receive grants of up to EUR 2,000 for the regular screening of short films as supporting films in cinemas and for original short film programs for cinemas.

The decision on your application will be made by the Commission for Cinema Funding.

The application must be submitted digitally via the FFA website, and the signed application must also be submitted by post.

You have no legal claim to the approval of the funding.

Process flow

You must submit the application online and in writing to the German Federal Film Board (FFA).

  • Arrange a personal or telephone consultation with the FFA in advance. 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.
  • Your application will be processed and checked by the FFA's funding department.
  • Your application will be submitted to the Commission for Cinema Funding.
  • The commission will decide whether to approve or reject the application.
  • You will be notified of the decision by post in the form of an approval or rejection notice.
  • Depending on the funding amount, the funding will be paid out in one or four installments according to the percentage share stated in the approval notice.
  • After completion of the measure, you must submit all invoices and a factual report to the FFA for review.

Requirements

Applications can be submitted by

  • Cinema operators in Germany
  • For measures of contractually agreed cooperation between cinemas, for extraordinary advertising and marketing measures and for media education support, industry-related institutions based in Germany are also eligible to apply

Which documents are required?

You must submit the following with your application

  • Cost and financing plan
  • Cost estimates or a cost calculation according to DIN 276 signed by the architect
  • Information on rental, lease or ownership status
  • Current extract from the commercial register or extract from the register of associations of the applicant (not older than 1 year)
  • for new buildings or major expansion projects: a copy of a profitability calculation by a tax consultant or auditor
  • Detailed description of the measure

Note:
Measures to create accessibility must be submitted separately as independent applications.

If your application has been approved, you must submit the following for payment

  • the signed attachment to the approval notice, if applicable
  • a fully completed installment request form signed by the authorized representative with bank details, power of attorney if applicable
  • Invoices (copies) that can be clearly assigned to the funded measure

What are the fees?

none

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

  • Application: all year round / ongoing

Note:

Depending on the submission deadline, applications should be submitted 10 to 12 weeks before the meeting of the Commission for Cinema Funding. The meeting dates are announced on the FFA website. If the start of the measure is before the approval notice, an application for an early start of the measure must be submitted.

  • Written submission of the signed application with the required documents: 5 days after submitting the application via the online application management system
  • Calling up the funding: within 6 months of receipt of the approval notice.

The term of the loan depends on the loan amount. The maximum term is 10 years.

Processing duration

  • Four commission meetings are held each year, with the submission deadline being approximately 10 to 12 weeks before the meeting. Notifications are sent out following the meeting.
  • Applications for advice for cinemas, funding for short film programs or media education support are approved on an ongoing basis, irrespective of the meetings. It is recommended that the application be submitted to the FFA at least 6 weeks before the contract is awarded

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Contradiction
  • Administrative court action

Appeal

  • Forms: yes
  • Online procedure possible: yes
  • Written form required: yes
  • Personal appearance: no

Further Information

Author

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

26.01.2021

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Competent Authority

Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) German Federal Film Board Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts

Address
Große Präsidentenstraße 9
10178 Berlin, Stadt
Telephone
+49 30 27577-0
Fax
+49 30 27577-111
E-Mail
Contact us
WWW
Website of the German Federal Film Board (FFA)
Opening times

Monday to Friday: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm