Distribution Support

ABOUT DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT

In order to foster the wider international distribution of German films not only as cultural assets, but also to improve the market opportunities of German films in foreign countries, German Films Service + Marketing GmbH subsidizes the theatrical release of a foreign distribution company for the start of a German film in foreign countries.

The German Films Distribution Support funding program was established in 2005 in order to support foreign distributors releasing a recent German feature film or documentary in the cinema. Through the German Films Distribution Support we hope to make German cinema a success in your country, too.

WHO CAN APPLY

Applications will be accepted from foreign distribution companies who distribute a (majority German-produced) German film. Only such measures going beyond the distribution project already planned by the foreign distribution company (the Additional Promotion Measure) will qualify for subsidization.

Please note:

  • German-international co-productions are not automatically eligible for Distribution Support. The film must be a majority German financed co-production, possess a German certificate of origin, must have been produced with a majority of German members of crew, and have a significant German cultural imprint.
  • Films which have received marketing or travel support from German Films are not automatically eligible for Distribution Support.

AMOUNT

Loan: The maximum support of 50,000 euros per film per country can be granted as a conditionally repayable loan, whose repayment depends on the success of the film in the cinema.

Grant: Funding up to 10,000 euros may also be granted as a subsidy.

GRANTING OF FUNDS

The German Films Distribution Support committee decides on each application for loan or grant individually. Concerning the loans, the committee defines repayment thresholds (based on admission figures) for conditionally repayable loans.

HOW TO APPLY

Please find the application form and exhibit check-list aside and send it to Carmen Böhm.
The complete and correct application must be submitted at the latest two (2) months before the release of the film.

DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT AWARDS COMMITTEE

The current members of the Distribution Support awards committee are: 

Marc Gabizon
Managing Director
Wild Bunch Germany

Moritz Hemminger
Deputy Head of Sales & Acquisitions
ARRI Media International

Irina Ignatiew
Managing Director
Boxworks Media

Lars Wiebe
Head of German Productions
SquareOne Entertainment

CONTACT

Please direct all inquiries and applications to:

Carmen Böhm
boehm@german-films.de
phone +49-89-59 97 87 44

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

The next submission deadlines are as follows:

  • January 28, 2021
  • April 1, 2021
  • June 10, 2021
  • September 2, 2021
  • November 11, 2021

We will inform you about the committee's decision within four weeks of the respective submission deadline.