The German Film Law (FFG) of 2025 came into force on 1 January 2025 and applies to short films and non-feature-length children's films completed after 1 January 2023. Short films with a completion date in 2022 are funded in accordance with the provisions of the old FFG of 2024.

The FFA supports producers of short films and non-feature-length children's films with retroactive funding, i.e. reference film funding. These are grants that may be used for the production of new projects.

Funding is provided in two stages: an initial application is made for the allocation of reference funding for the short film that has already generated prizes and/or been successfully presented at festivals according to the currently valid list of festivals. In the second stage, an application may be made within two years for the funding’s disbursement for a new project.

Stage 1: Allocation of reference funding

The prerequisite for making an application to be allocated funding is that you have already produced a short film or a non-feature-length children's film that has been successfully screened at certain festivals and/or received certain prizes or distinctions. Please note the respective categories. Participation or awards will generate 5 or 10 points for the reference film funding granted to short films and non-feature-length children's films. The level of funding then depends on the total number of points generated, the number of applicants, and the total budget that varies from year to year. The funding is allocated once a year, at the end of May. Awards are made as non-repayable grants which may be invested in a new project.

The list of recognised festivals and prizes in accordance with guideline D.6 can be found by clicking on the button

To the festival list

Stage 2: Use of the grant

The allocated reference funding must be drawn on request within two years of the award notice being issued. The date of the award notice is decisive. The funding expires automatically if it is not used for a specific project within a two-year period. The reference funding should be used primarily for the production of new short films or non-feature-length children's films. However, it is also possible to use the reference funding for the preparation of short films, non-feature-length children's films or feature-length films. In addition, the reference funding may be used for the production of a feature-length film.

An innovation as of 1 January 2025 is that up to 75% of the allocated reference funding may also be used for an increase in the equity capital for more than just the short term in the interests of a company’s structural improvement.

As of 1 January 2025, the FFA took over full implementation of the Federal Government’s jury-based cultural film funding programme within the context of contract administration.

The new guideline for the Federal Government’s jury-based cultural film funding programme is currently the subject of consultations between various government departments. All of the involved parties are working at full speed to be able to publish the guideline as well as associated additional information about the application process as quickly as possible.

The BKM and the FFA are planning to have deadlines in place in March/April 2025. The first jury meetings are scheduled to take place from early summer.

The level of funding to be awarded will initially depend on the provisional budget. Once the federal budget for 2025 has been adopted, additional funding may be awarded at the subsequent jury sessions.

Applications for production funding for films by young talents (feature-length fiction films, documentaries and children's films, and shorts) can be submitted to the Federal Government's jury-based cultural film funding programme temporarily until the end of the provisional budget.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. We will keep you updated about all of the further developments.