Apply for funding for material development for feature-length documentaries

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.

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.

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

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

• §§ 10 bis 12 der Richtlinie für die die kulturelle Filmförderung der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (BKM)

• Action before the administrative court

There are no indications or special features.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.