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Full-length documentary film; application for funding for material development

If you are developing an artistically outstanding program-filling documentary film project, you can apply for material development funding under certain conditions.

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Procedure details

The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) supports the development of production-ready project descriptions for documentary film projects with up to EUR 20,000.

As a director of cinema documentaries, the funding is intended to help you to better elaborate and develop your material. It also helps you to find financing and production partners for further project development and subsequent realization of your film project.

The funding focuses on ambitious cinema projects with an innovative and individual approach to realization.

You submit your application to the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM). You are not entitled to funding.

You will not receive funding

  • if your project is already funded elsewhere
  • for projects that arise in the context of university education

Eligible costs are

  • Fees for authors in an appropriate amount
  • Costs for acquiring rights and legal advice
  • Research and archive costs
  • Travel expenses and participation fees for project presentations at film trade fairs; both must be related to the development of the material
  • Translation costs
  • Costs for the creation of a teaser or trailer
  • Fees for dramaturgical advice
  • Costs for the creation of concepts and materials for marketing and evaluation

Once the project has been completed, you must provide evidence of what you have spent the funding on. To do this, you must keep all invoices and receipts relating to the project costs.

If you receive funding, you must keep the BKM informed about your production process.

You can receive further funding for film projects via the various film grants from the BKM.

Applications can be submitted by

  • Directors, provided they already have a program-length documentary film of at least 79 minutes that has been exploited in cinemas, at festivals or on television.

Further requirements:

  • You must have secured a production company for your project and be able to prove this with a corresponding letter of intent.

Or

If you are financing the project yourself, you do not need a production company. In this case, an independent dramaturge is required to support your project. You must prove this with a corresponding letter of intent.

  • Required Documents

    Submit with application:

    • Synopsis, maximum one DIN A4 page
    • informative project outline with presentation
      • possible storylines and protagonists,
      • initial ideas for the visual and dramaturgical concept and
      • Objectives of the material development funding (approx. 10 pages)
    • Presentation of the time frame for the planned project
    • Realization concept after completion of the script development
    • Vita or filmography
      • of the director,
      • the producer and
      • of the dramaturgical consultant
    • Letter of intent
      • from a producer with a so-called producer's note or
      • an external dramaturgical consultant with a brief assessment of the project
    • if applicable, further expressions of interest from third parties such as broadcasters or distributors
    • detailed cost breakdown, broken down by:
      • Fees for authors in an appropriate amount
      • Costs for rights acquisition and legal advice
      • Costs for research and archive
      • Travel expenses and participation fees for project presentations at film trade fairs; both must be demonstrably directly related to the development of the material
      • Translation costs
      • Costs for the creation of a teaser or trailer
      • Fees for dramaturgical advice
      • Costs for the creation of concepts and materials for marketing and exploitation
    • Declaration of rights to the material; you may also have to provide proof of personal rights or rights to existing works
    • Explanation in the event of resubmission and status of previous submissions for other funding, if applicable

You must submit the application for funding online to the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM):

  • Go to the website of the Federal Portal and complete the application form online.
  • Upload the required documents and submit the application online.

Further procedural steps:

  • The BKM decides on the applications on the recommendation of the independent "Documentary Film Jury" (material development and production funding for documentary film projects).
  • You will receive notification from the BKM as to whether your application for funding has been approved.
  • The German Federal Film Board (FFA) takes over the administrative processing of the funding.
  • After completion of the material development, the "Documentary Film Jury" must approve the result of the funding.
  • You must inform the BKM at regular intervals about the further production process.
  • Once you have completed your project, you must submit a where-used list.

There are no costs.

As a rule, there are 3 submission deadlines per year. The current deadlines can be found on the website of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM).

Application:

  • before the start of the project

Proof of use of the funds:

  • within 6 months of the end of the project

8 to 10 weeks

There are no indications or special features.

  • Action before the administrative court

Status: 14.03.2025
Editorial responsibility Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien