Increased budget for film marketing - Weimer pushes for blockbuster success - Increased budgets for film production.
In a bid to bolster the German film industry and attract more international productions, the German government has announced significant changes to its film promotion funding and subsidy system, effective from 2025.
The revised German Film Law (FFG), enacted at the start of the year, has resulted in a substantial increase in the subsidy rate. From February 1, 2025, film and high-end TV series producers will receive a 30% rebate on German production costs [2]. This change is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at making Germany more competitive on the international stage.
The Motion Picture Fund budget is also set for a boost, increasing from €50 million to €75 million, reflecting the surge in series production [3]. This marks a 50% increase in funding, demonstrating the government's commitment to supporting the industry.
Cultural Minister Wolfram Weimer has been vocal about the need for more German blockbusters and series hits. In line with this, he has called for voluntary investment commitments from major US streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. While formal investment obligations for these platforms have not yet been legislated, they remain key topics in ongoing reform discussions [1].
The German government's strategy involves increasing direct funding and leveraging private investment from streaming companies. Together, the federal government and the states will make a total of 310 million euros available for film promotion in 2026 [4]. This includes funds from the German Film Promotion Fund and the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF), as well as separate promotion programs of the federal states.
The reform creates planning security for producers, with the 30% subsidy rate remaining in the new film promotion law. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has expressed his ambition for Germany to become a top location for successful international film and series productions [5].
The German Film Promotion Fund, established in 1985, and the GMPF have played a crucial role in promoting German films. They have funded projects from 2016 to 2022, which collectively generated 1.35 billion euros in taxes and social security contributions [6].
In addition to financial support, jury-based cultural film promotion and the German Film Promotion Agency are also integral components of film promotion in Germany. The industry, with a turnover of around 9 billion euros per year and 120,000 employees, has repeatedly raised concerns about attracting more large international productions to other countries [1].
As the reforms unfold, it remains to be seen how they will impact the German film industry. However, the increased funding and reformed subsidy system represent a significant step towards boosting local production and making Germany a more attractive destination for international film and series productions.
References:
- The Local
- WDR
- Tagesspiegel
- Deutschlandfunk
- FAZ
- German Film Promotion Fund
The German government's recently revised Film Law (FFG) has led to an increased subsidy rate for film and high-end TV series producers, which will offer a 30% rebate on German production costs from February 1, 2025. This reform aims to make Germany more competitive within the international entertainment sector, especially movies-and-tv, and attract more international productions. The government's strategy also involves encouraging private investment from streaming companies like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, with the aim of establishing Germany as a top location for successful film and series productions.
