Apply for a certificate in accordance with the Film Funding Act and/or certificate of origin
Description
If you are involved in the production and distribution of German cinema films, you have the opportunity to apply for funding from the German Federal Film Board (FFA). To do this, you need a certificate in accordance with the Film Promotion Act (FGG).
You apply for the certificate in good time, in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing at least two months before the start of filming at the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) and finally submit your funding application to the FFA.
The certificate serves to confirm that your film meets the requirements of the FFG for recognition as a German film. Whether and to what extent you will receive funding is decided by the FFA.
If you plan to exploit your film abroad, you may have to present a certificate of origin there. You can also apply for the certificate of origin from BAFA. It certifies that your film is a German film within the meaning of the FFG.
The certificate of origin shall be subject to the same conditions as the certificate. If you need a certificate and a certificate of origin, you can apply for both applications at the same time using the same application form.
Note: The FFG is exclusively related to cinema films. In principle, therefore, certificates are only issued for German cinema films.
Eligible to apply is the film producer with
- residence 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 State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
- is located in Switzerland.
In order 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
- the nationality of another Member State of the European Union,
- a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
- of Switzerland.
- In any case, a final version of your full-length film must be shot or dubbed in German. In the case of short films, a final version of the film must be subtitled suitable for cinema.
- The subject of your film must be cultural, historical or social issues.
- Your film must be either
- in German language in Germany,
- as a German entry in the main competition or
- have been premiered in a side series at a festival.
- Your film must meet at least two of the required cultural criteria.
- For studio recordings, you will need to use studios, and for production engineering and post-production, you will need to use technical service providers who are based 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 or her place of business or residence outside Germany, recognition must be granted in accordance with
- the European Agreement on the Co-Production of Films, or
- a bilateral or multilateral intergovernmental agreement.
If there is no bilateral or multilateral agreement or if no agreement is applicable, there must be a significant financial contribution of the German producer compared to the foreign participation as well as an appropriate artistic and technical participation. If there is a predominant German participation, your film must have been premiered in German in Germany or as a German contribution at a festival. Also, 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.
- Appendix Cultural Criteria
- Co-production contract(s)
- Proof of completion of the theatrical screening format
- Proof of the World Clock Performance
- Financing plan
- Staff list
- Further documents that are required in your case can also be found in the instructions for filling out the corresponding form
The application for certification must be submitted in good time, in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing, at least two months before the start of filming.
Approx. 10 days, provided that the application is complete.
Forms: yes
Online procedure possible: no
Written form required: yes
Personal appearance required: no
You can apply for the certificate or certificate of origin in writing:
- Download the application form from the BAFA website and fill it out completely.
- Then send it with the required documents exclusively by post to the responsible office in BAFA.
- As soon as you have provided all the information and the documents are complete, BAFA will decide on your application.
- After a positive check, 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 appeal against this decision.
- If the refusal is maintained after your objection, a notice of objection will be issued with detailed reasons.
- You can appeal against this notice of objection to the Administrative Court.
Federal Office of Economics and Export Control
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
