FFA 2025: Federal Film Funding

The German Federal Film Board’s (FFA) funding portfolio was expanded as of 1 January, 2025 following the passing of the amended German Film Law (FFG 2025). Starting from the beginning of this year, the FFA will now be integrating the BKM’s previous cultural film funding programme under its auspices and thus be responsible for film funding on a federal level: film funding in accordance with the amended FFG, the Federal Government’s jury-based cultural film funding programme, the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) and the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF).

German Film Law (FFG 2025)

With the amended German Film Law coming into force on 1 January 2025, most of the FFA's levy-financed film and distribution funding will now be awarded according to the reference principle: a film generates reference points according to certain criteria, with this value initially being converted into funding which can then be used for a new project. A new feature of the FFG 2025 will see screenwriters and directors receiving reference funding in future.

The FFA will establish the procedure for cinema funding in a guideline. Committees will continue to decide on the funding allocated by the Minority Co-Production Fund, the German-French Film Agreement and the funding programme for film heritage.

Federal Government’s jury-based cultural film funding programme

The film funding programmes of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) will be concentrated in future at the FFA which will have responsibility for all of the Federal Government’s jury-based cultural film funding programme, from the submission of applications through to proof of use.

The Federal Government's jury-based cultural film funding includes development funding, production funding for feature films, documentaries, children's films and short films as well as distribution funding.

The Federal Government’s incentive funding

Incentive funding by the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) and the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF) will remain in force in 2025. As of 1 February, the funding rate will be raised to a uniform 30 per cent of German production costs.