Leistungen A-Z

Forms: yes

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance necessary: no

• Application

If you are involved in the production and distribution of German cinema films, you have the opportunity to apply for funding from the Film Promotion Agency (FFA) for your project. For this, you may need a preliminary project certificate according to FFG.

You apply for the provisional project certificate in good time, in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing no later than two months before the start of filming, at the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) and submit it to the FFA with your application.

The provisional project certificate confirms that your film project, if carried out as requested, will meet the requirements of the FFG for recognition as a German film. The FFA decides whether and to what extent your film will be funded.

Note: The FFG is exclusively related to movies. In principle, therefore, project certificates are only issued for German cinema films.

The film producer is entitled to apply, with

• domicile or registered office in Germany or
• a branch in Germany,
  • if the place of residence or place of business is located in another Member State of the European Union,
  • in a State Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
  • located in Switzerland.

Your film project, if carried out as requested, must meet the following requirements of the FFG for recognition as a German film:

• The director of your film must
  • be either German or German,
  • belong to the German cultural sector, or
  • the nationality of another Member State of the European Union,
  • of a State Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
  • Switzerland.
• In any case, a final version of your program-filling film must be made in German or synchronized. In the case of short films, a final version of the film must in any case be accompanied by a cinema-ready subtitling.
• Your film must be about cultural, historical or social issues.
• Your film must either be
  • in German in Germany,
  • as a German entry in the main competition or
  • have been world premiered in a side series at a festival.
• Your film must meet at least two of the required cultural criteria.
• For studio recordings, you must use studios and for production technology and post-production technical service providers, which have their registered office in
  • Germany
  • another Member State of the European Union,
  • in a State Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
  • in Switzerland.

Notes for international co-productions:

In the case of a joint production, if at least one of the producers has his place of business or residence outside Germany, recognition must be

• the European Convention on the Community Production of Films or Films
• a two- or multi-sided intergovernmental agreement

be considered.

In the case of a bilateral or multi-page agreement or no agreement applicable, the financial participation of the German producer, which is substantial in relation to the foreign participation, and such appropriate artistic and technical participation is required.  If you are predominantly German, your film must be premiered in German in Germany or as a German entry at a festival. In addition, your film must meet at least two of the required cultural criteria. This also applies to recognition under a bilateral or multi-page agreement.

• Annex "Cultural criteria" or, if recognition under the European Agreement is sought: "Proof of the European elements"
• Co-production contract
• Budget
• List of staff
• You can also find out which documents are required in your case in the filling instructions for the corresponding forms
  

No

You can apply for the preliminary project certificate in writing:

• Download the application form on the BAFA website and complete it in full.
• Then send it with the required documents exclusively by post to the competent authority in the BAFA.
• As soon as you have provided all the information and the documents are complete, the BAFA will decide on your application.
• After a positive examination, you will receive the preliminary project certificate by post.
• If your film is not expected to meet the requirements, you will receive a letter with a detailed justification.
• You can reapply for a provisional project certificate if the circumstances of your project have changed so that your film is expected to meet the general eligibility requirements.

The application for a provisional project certificate must be submitted in good time in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing no later than two months before filming begins.

Federal Office of Economic Affairs and Export Control
Unit 412 - Promotion of inter-company vocational training centres, film
Frankfurter Straße 29 - 35
65760 Eschborn

Federal Office of Economic Affairs and Export Control
Unit 412 - Promotion of inter-company vocational training centres, film
Frankfurter Straße 29 - 35
65760 Eschborn

General:
06196 908-2128

German solo and co-productions
Phone: 06196 908-2856

International co-productions
Phone: 06196 908-2194

Service hours
Monday to Thursday: 08:30 - 16:00
Friday: 08:30 - 15:00

• Section 41 ff, Section 52 (1) of the Film Promotion Act (FFG)
• International film treaties

• Information, filling instructions for application and application forms for a provisional project certificate in accordance with Section 52 of the Film Promotion Act (FFG)
• Request for grant/amendment of a provisional project certificate
• Further information can be found on the website of the Filmförderungsanstalt

Federal Office of Economic Affairs and Export Control