Administrative services A-Z

Forms: yes

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no

• Application form

If you are involved in the production and distribution of German cinema films, you have the option of applying for funding from the German Federal Film Board (FFA). For this you need a certificate according to the German Film Funding Law (FGG).

You apply for the certificate in good time, in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing at least two months before the start of filming at the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) and finally submit your funding application to the FFA.

The certificate serves to confirm that your film meets the requirements of the FFG for recognition as a German film. The FFA decides whether and to what extent you will receive funding.

If you plan to use your film abroad, you may need to present a certificate of origin there. You can also apply for the certificate of origin from the BAFA. It certifies that your film is a German film within the meaning of the FFG.

The same conditions apply to the certificate of origin as to the certificate. If you need a certificate and a certificate of origin, you can apply for both applications at the same time using the same application form.

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

The film producer is entitled to apply, with

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

Your film 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,
  • a State Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
  • of Switzerland.
• In any case, a final version of your full-length film must be shot or dubbed in German. In the case of short films, a final version of the film must in any case be provided with a subtitle suitable for cinema.
• The subject of your film must be cultural, historical or social issues.
• Your film must either
  • in German in Germany,
  • as a German entry in the main competition or
  • have been premiered in a side series at a festival.
• Your film must meet at least two of the required cultural criteria.
• For studio recordings you have to use studios and for production technology and post-production you have to use technical service providers who 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:

If, in the case of a joint production, at least one of the producers has his or her place of business or residence outside Germany, recognition must be granted in accord according to

• the European Convention on the Co-Production of Films, or
• a bilateral or multi-sided intergovernmental agreement.

If there is no bilateral or multilateral agreement or if no agreement is applicable, there must be a significant financial participation of the German producer compared to the foreign participation as well as an appropriate artistic and technical participation. If there is a predominant German participation, your film must have been premiered in German at a festival in Germany or as a German contribution. In addition, your film must meet at least two of the required cultural criteria. This also applies to recognition under a bilateral or multi-sided agreement.

• Annex Cultural Criteria
• Co-production contract/contracts
• Proof of completion of the cinema screening format
• Proof of world clock performance
• Financing plan
• Staff List
• Further documents that are required in your case can also be found in the completed instructions for the corresponding form

none

You can apply for the certificate or the certificate of origin in writing:

• Download the application form from the BAFA website and fill it out completely.
• Then send it with the necessary documents exclusively by post to the responsible office 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 check, you will receive the certificate or the certificate of origin by post.
• If you do not meet the requirements, you will receive a rejection notice with detailed justification.
• You can appeal against this decision.
• If the rejection is maintained after your objection, a notice of opposition will be issued with detailed reasons.
• You can appeal against this notice of opposition to the Administrative Court.

The application for a certificate must be submitted in good time, in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing, at least two months before the start of filming.

• Contact

• § 17 paragraph 1 Film Promotion Act (FFG)
• Circular foreign trade, trade in services – film industry, issuance of film certificates of origin in Germany
• International Film Agreements

• Application for a certificate/certificate of origin
• Further information can be found on the website of the Filmförderungsanstalt
• Information, completion instructions for the application and application form for a certificate according to § 51 Filmförderungsgesetz (FFG) or a certificate of origin

Federal Office of Economics and Export Control