Apply for a certificate under the Film Subsidies Act and/or a certificate of origin

You can apply for the certificate or certificate of origin in writing:

• Download the application form from the BAFA website and complete it in full.
• Then send it with the required documents to the responsible office at BAFA by post only.
• As soon as you have provided all the information and the documents are complete, BAFA will decide on your application.
• After a positive review, you will receive the certificate or certificate of origin by post.
• If you do not meet the requirements, you will receive a rejection notice with detailed reasons.
• You can lodge an appeal against this decision.
• If the rejection is upheld after your appeal, you will receive a notice of appeal with detailed reasons.
• You can lodge an appeal against this decision with the administrative court.

• Contact form

Eligible to apply is the film producer with

• domicile or place of business in Germany or
• a branch office in Germany,
  • if the place of residence or business is in another member state of the European Union,
  • in a signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or
  • in Switzerland.

To be recognized as a German film, your film must meet the following requirements of the FFG:

• The director of your film must
  • be either German or German,
  • belong to the German cultural sector or
  • be a national of another member state of the European Union,
  • a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or
  • Switzerland.
• At least one final version of your feature-length film must be shot or dubbed in German. In the case of short films, at least one final version of the film must have subtitles suitable for the cinema.
• The subject of your film must be cultural, historical or social issues.
• Your film must either
  • in German language in Germany,
  • as a German entry in the main competition or
  • have had its world premiere in a sidebar at a festival.
• Your film must fulfill at least two of the required cultural criteria.
• You must use studios for studio recordings and technical service providers for production technology and post-production that are based in
  • Germany,
  • another member state of the European Union,
  • in a signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or
  • in Switzerland.

Notes for international co-productions:

If at least one of the producers of a co-production has his/her place of business or residence outside Germany, recognition in accordance with

• the European Convention on the Joint Production of Films or
• a bilateral or multilateral intergovernmental agreement.

If there is no bilateral or multilateral agreement or if no agreement is applicable, the German producer must have a significant financial participation compared to the foreign participation as well as an appropriate artistic and technical participation. If German participation is predominant, your film must have premiered in German in Germany or as a German contribution at a festival. In addition, your film must fulfill at least two of the required cultural criteria. This also applies to recognition under a bilateral or multilateral agreement.

• Annex Cultural Criteria
• Co-production contract/contracts
• Proof of completion of the theatrical screening format
• Proof of world premiere
• Financing plan
• Staff list
• Further documents that are required in your case can also be found in the instructions for completing the relevant form

none

The application for certification must be submitted in good time, in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing no later than two months before the start of filming.

Approx. 10 days, provided the application is complete.

• § Section 17 (1) of the Film Funding Act (FFG)
• Circular on foreign trade, trade in services - film industry, issue of film certificates of origin in Germany
• International film agreements

Forms: yes

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no

• Application form

09.01.2020