Awarding of Reference Sales Funds for Film Distribution Companies under the Film Funding Act 2025

This program is aimed exclusively at film distribution companies in Germany. The goal is to strengthen German cinema by supporting audience numbers and festival successes. The funding aims to incentivize the domestic success of films and thus support the film industry nationwide.

The funding focuses on the culture, media, and sports sectors, particularly the film sector. It does not fund direct project costs in the traditional sense, but rather honors the success of films after their initial theatrical release through reference points. This applies to films that have already been marketed or are in the commercialization phase.

This program offers grants in the form of reference sales funds, the exact amount of which is not fixed as a lump sum but calculated based on reference points derived from audience numbers and festival successes of the films. The funding is designed to reward film distribution companies for their success after a film's initial theatrical release.

The awarding of reference sales funds is linked to specific criteria concerning a film's success after its theatrical release. These include minimum audience numbers and successes at selected festivals or awards. The application is subject to specific deadlines to ensure these successes are considered.

The application procedure for reference sales funds is characterized by a fixed annual deadline by which all relevant proofs of success must be submitted. The funds are awarded based on the demonstrated reference points, which reflect the film's success in cinemas and at festivals.

The funding program is legally anchored by the Film Funding Act (FFG) and a specific guideline for the awarding of reference sales funds. These documents form the basis for granting the funding and define the relevant framework conditions and criteria.