Apply for provisional project certificate according to Film Promotion Act

If you would like to apply for funding from the German Federal Film Board (FFA) for your cinema project, you may need to submit a provisional project certificate from the BAFA.

If you are involved in the production and distribution of German theatrical films, you have the option of applying for funding assistance for your project from the German Federal Film Board (FFA). To do this, you may need a provisional project certificate in accordance with the FFG.

You apply for the preliminary project certificate in good time, in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing at the latest two months before shooting begins, at the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) and submit it to the FFA with your application.

The preliminary project certificate serves to confirm that your film project, if carried out as applied for, will meet the requirements of the FFG for recognition as a German film. The FFA decides whether and to what extent your film will be funded.

Please note: The FFG applies exclusively to theatrical films. Therefore, project certificates are generally only issued for German theatrical films.

• Annex "Cultural Criteria" or, if recognition under the European Agreement is sought: "Evidence of European Elements".
• Co-production contract
• Financing plan
• Staff list
• You can also find out which documents are required in your case from the instructions for filling out the corresponding forms
  

Forms: yes

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no

Eligible to apply is the film producer, with

• a place of residence or 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 state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
  • is located in Switzerland.

Your film project, if carried out as applied for, must meet the following requirements of the FFG for recognition as a German film:

• The director of your film must
  • be either German or of German descent
  • belong to the German cultural sphere, or
  • be a national of another member state of the European Union,
  • of a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or of
  • have the nationality of Switzerland.
• At least one final version of your full-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 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 at a festival in a supporting series.
• Your film must meet at least two of the required cultural criteria.
• For studio shooting, you must use studios, and for production engineering and post-production, technical service providers who have their place of business in
  • Germany,
  • another member state of the European Union,
  • in a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
  • in Switzerland.

Notes for international co-productions:

If, in the case of a joint production, at least one of the producers has his/her place of business or residence outside Germany, recognition must be obtained in accordance with

• the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production or
• or a bilateral or multilateral intergovernmental agreement.

must be considered.

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

You can apply for the preliminary project certificate in writing:

• Download the application form from BAFA's website and fill it out completely.
• Then send it with the required documents exclusively by mail to the responsible office at BAFA.
• 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 preliminary project certificate by mail.
• If your film is unlikely to meet the requirements, you will receive a letter with detailed reasons.
• You can reapply for the preliminary project certificate if the circumstances of your project have changed in such a way that your film is likely to meet the general eligibility requirements.

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

Approximately 10 days, provided the application is complete.

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