Apply for funding for follow-up project German Film Award

You must submit your application for film prize funding online to the BKM.

Apply for funding online:

• Go to the federal portal and fill out the application form electronically.
  • You will need an electronic ID document for the online application, for example your ELSTER organization certificate.
• Upload the required documents as a file (in PDF format, maximum 10 megabytes per file) and send the application.

Further procedural steps:

• The German Federal Film Board (FFA) is responsible for the administrative processing of BKM-funded projects.
• The FFA checks the documents and issues the funding decision.
• If necessary, the FFA will contact you to discuss which other documents you need to submit in order to receive a grant notification.

You can receive the funding awards if

• your project has been nominated for the German Film Award or has received an award,
• the planned film is at least 79 minutes long. A children's film must be at least 59 minutes long,
• you have not yet started the film project,
• your project has a German cultural character,
• you must be able to show an own contribution of 5 percent and
• you can ensure a regular first theatrical release that takes place on 7 consecutive days in Germany for a fee.

For the production of a feature film:

• Short description (maximum 1 page)
• Screenplay in German language
• Treatment for documentary films; for animated films also storyboard
• Proof of the closed rights chain (contract on the acquisition of the filming rights to the book, material, title)
• Company profile (information on previous films of the production company)
• Filmography of the director (information on nationality, previous films, if applicable with links to view reference films)
• Cast list with residence details (including declarations of intent from director, camera)
• Cast list (including letters of intent from the main actors/key supporting actors)
• Financing plan (including status of financing and calculation of own contribution)
• Proof of financing (contracts, bank statements, funding commitments)
• Preliminary calculation of production costs (the maximum fee rates are based on the guidelines of the German Federal Film Board FFA for project film funding)
• Overview of own contributions
• Distribution contract or presentation of the distribution plans/exploitation concept
• Shooting schedule or list of the orderly execution of shooting according to shooting time and locations
• Extract from the commercial register/business registration
• Certificate in tax matters from the responsible tax office
• Provisional project certificate from the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA)
• When using the director's premium share, you must enclose a signed declaration of consent for the use of the funds.

For the preparation/development of a feature film:

• Brief description of the project (maximum 1 page)
• Treatment, screenplay in German if applicable
• for project preparation: proof of the closed rights chain (contract for the acquisition of the filming rights to the book, material, title)
• In the case of screenplay development or material acquisition: presentation of the required rights (no contracts may have been concluded yet, as this is a project)
• Company profile (information on previous films by the production company)
• Filmography of the director (information on nationality, previous films, if applicable with links to view reference films)
• Staff list with residence details
• Cast list (only to be submitted if already available)
• Financing plan (including status of financing and calculation of own contribution)
• Proof of financing (contracts, bank statements, funding commitments)
• Preliminary calculation of the costs for the project (the maximum fee rates are based on the FFA guidelines for project film funding)
• List of personal contributions
• Presentation of the distribution plans/exploitation concept
• Extract from the commercial register/business registration
• Tax certificate from the responsible tax office
• When using the director's premium share, you must enclose a signed declaration of consent for the use of the funds

There are no costs.

• §§ 22, 23 Guidelines for the cultural film funding of the BKM
• § 3 Guidelines for cultural film funding by the BKM

• Administrative court action

There are no indications or special features.

04.01.2024