The new funding programme for world sales companies will now be put into practice following the  Bundesrat's (upper house) confirmation on Friday, September 26, 2025, of  the Bundestag’ assembly's decision taken on September 18, 2025. The funding for German sales companies is needed in order to strengthen their international competitiveness and promote the export of German theatrical films. This measure is crucial since the new German Film Law (FFG) no longer allocates funding to sales companies.

This support for global distributors is financed by funds from the BKM. German Films Service + Marketing GmbH will administer the funding program from October 1, 2025. The total amount being made available for 2025 is €250,000.

A summary of the key points: 
Each eligible company can apply for funding once per calendar year. The support consists of a basic sum and reference funding. The latter is calculated on the basis of the foreign sales and participation of German theatrical films at international festivals.

To apply in 2025, international distributors must prove that they have had at least two feature-length, majority German theatrical productions – feature films, documentaries or animated films – in their market line-up in 2024. These films must either have had their market premiere in 2024 (at the European Film Market (EFM) or later) or be in the process of completion. Each film can only be considered once for this support.

Applications for the first year of 2025 can be submitted from October 1, 2025, until the deadline on November 30, 2025. 

All details and further information about the world sales funding programme can be found at the German Films website and at World Sales Funding. 

Contact:
Ina Sommer (World Sales Funding)