Development funding / Jury-based screenplay funding

Program description

Development funding offers transitional 2-phase screenplay funding for feature films and material development funding for documentaries, as new projects such as treatment and project development funding may not begin during the current provisional budget management.

Screenplay funding is divided into two phases and can be supported in a total amount of up to 40,000 euros. In the 1st phase / basic funding, a treatment is developed into the first screenplay version. The 2nd phase/further development takes place after acceptance of the 1st phase, provided that a serious intention to film the book can be demonstrated by a producer and this producer is willing to contribute a personal share of 10,000 euros to the development of the project. In this phase, the project is developed from the initial script version to a script version suitable for production preparation.

Complex animation projects can be supported with a total of 50,000 euros.

In addition, consulting services of up to 10,000 euros can be requested for measures to improve the quality of the material. Consulting services can include, for example, dramaturgical advice, sensitivity reading, participation in script circles, etc.

The funding is a non-repayable grant in the form of subsidies intended to secure the author's livelihood during the funding measure. They are not a screenplay fee and cannot be offset against it.

Institution

German Federal Film Board (FFA)

The German Federal Film Board (FFA) is Germany's national film funding body. Its budget is financed by the so-called film levy, which is collected from cinemas, the video industry and television, among others.

The FFA supports theatrical films in all phases of their creation and exploitation: from script development and production to distribution, sales and video. Further funds are used for the promotion of cinemas, the preservation of the German film heritage, the perception and dissemination of German film abroad and for the mediation of film education. As a central service provider for the local film industry, the FFA regularly collects, analyses and publishes the most important market data for the film, cinema and video industry in Germany.

Deadline

Monday, June 23, 2025

Funding conditions (non-commercial)

No own funds required

Funding criteria

Authors can apply for screenplay funding if they meet certain requirements. Among other things, they must submit at least one filmed feature film script or literary or theatrical publications or award-winning short films or apply together with a producer (production company). The detailed requirements can be found in the FAQ - Questions and Answers section.

Applications must be submitted via the application tool of the FFA Service Portal. Registration is required to use the service portal. The account will be activated by the FFA after registration. It may take a few days to activate an account and link it to the projects at the FFA. Please ensure that you register in good time.

Application type

Online form

Application procedure/documents

All applications must be submitted via the application tool of the new FFA service portal. In order to use it, future applicants or companies as well as current funding recipients must first register in the service portal and enter their master data. It may take a few days to activate an account and link it to the projects at the FFA. Please make sure you register early in the new FFA service portal:

FFA Service Portal

Funded by

BKM (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media)

Funding area

Germany