de⁺ - Film Festival Funding

The aim of the film festival funding programme de⁺ of Goethe-Institut in cooperation with Auswärtiges Amt is to enable access to film culture and film education across geographical, political and social borders, thus contributing to strengthening and promoting mutual understanding between people and societies internationally.

The de⁺ programme supports components and formats of German film festivals with an international focus that contribute to exchange, encounters and discourse between German and international audiences, between German and international filmmakers, film critics, young filmmakers inside and outside of Germany as well as institutions active in the various areas of the film medium.

The de⁺ programme promotes projects that focus on international exchange about film culture and film education as well as networking and co-production across national borders, have a convincing project approach, develop a public impact and have a lasting effect on civil societies.

Film festivals and organisations based in Germany and with a registered legal form are eligible to apply.

Funding is available for festival programme components that promote international encounters, exchange and discourse. These can be measures integrated into the festival as well as independent formats (e.g., travel and visitor programmes, discourse events, jury participation, capacity building programmes such as pitches, workshops, accompanying events, festival participation, thematic focuses, festival partnerships or film education measures).

The upper limit of funding per project is €25,000. Non-permanent costs such as travel expenses, fees, costs for project staff and temporary staff, temporary rentals, translations, moderation, services tailored to the project, including costs for digital solutions, can be taken into account. Costs such as permanent rent, permanent salaries (of permanent staff), procurement of permanent material goods or infrastructure cannot be funded. Festival awards are not eligible for funding.

There are two application rounds for funding in 2022. Applications for the year 2022 can be submitted

• either from 5 October 2021 (application deadline is 15 November 2021 and the funding decision will be communicated in early December 2021)
• or for a second funding round starting 14 March 2022 (application deadline is 25 April 2022 and the funding decision will be communicated in mid-May 2022).

Based on the catalogue of criteria, a shortlist will be drawn up from which a jury of experts will select the applications to be funded in 2022.

Claudia Loewe
© Liedel Nach ihrem Produktionsstudium an der HFF München verantwortete Claudia Loewe als freie Produktionsleiterin Kinofilme wie u.a. JENSEITS DER STILLE. Weitere Stationen als Herstellungsleiterin bei der Deutschen Columbia Pictures Filmproduktion sowie als Leiterin der Produktionsklasse der DFFB folgten. Seit 2006 ist sie Geschäftsführerin der Deutschen Filmakademie Produktion GmbH und produziert den DEUTSCHEN FILMPREIS sowie die FIRST STEPS Awards.



Dieter Kosslick
© Ulrich Weichert Dieter Kosslick, 1946 in Pforzheim geboren, studierte Kommunikationswissenschaft, Pädagogik und Politik an der LMU München. Er war von 1979 bis 1982 persönlicher Referent, Büroleiter und Redenschreiber von Hamburgs Erstem Bürgermeister Hans-Ulrich Klose und Pressesprecher der „Leitstelle Gleichstellung der Frau“, danach schrieb er für die konkret. Nach Stationen bei den Filmförderungen Hamburg, Brüssel und Nordrhein-Westfalen leitete er 18 Jahre lang die Internationalen Filmfestspiele Berlin. Er lehrte als Professor an der Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, erhielt viele nationale und internationale Auszeichnungen und berät heute Filmfestivals weltweit.

Roshanak Behesht Nedjad
© Roshanak Behesht Nedjad Roshanak Behesht Nedjad ist Mitglied der deutschen und europäischen Filmakademie, unterrichtet an diversen internationalen Programmen, und ist einer der Groupleader von EAVE (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs). 1999 gründet sie gemeinsam mit Partnern ihre erste Firma, die Flying Moon Filmproduktion, mit einem Fokus auf internationale Spiel- und Dokumentarfilmproduktion. Im Rahmen von Flying Moon produzierte sie über 30 Filmen, mit ca. 65 Nominierungen und 40 Preisen. 2012 entwickelte sie, gemeinsam mit Jan von Meppen, ein Computerspiel, Professor S., eine Kombination aus Computer- und Realspiel, Webserie und Lernen, für die LudInc GmbH. Das Spiel erhielt 2016 den Deutschen Computerspielpreis für das beste Serious Games. 2015 gründete sie die IGC Films/In Good Company. Die Firma konzentriert sich auf intelligente Unterhaltung.

Márk Szilágyi
© Roland Mönch Márk Szilágyi ist Medienwirtschafts-Diplomand an der Universität Siegen und Produktions-Absolvent der Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. Nach dem Studium zog er nach Kigali, Ruanda und arbeitete u.a. als Produzent am Kwetu Film Institute und als Lehrer für die Deutsche Welle Akademie. 2015 bis 17 war er bei der Deutschen Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) als Entwicklungshelfer für die Kultur- und Kreativindustrie in Ruanda tätig. In Ludwigsburg hat er seit 2017 seine eigene Film-Produktions- und Consultingfirma. Seit 2020 arbeitet er als Projekt Manager im Internationalen Büro der Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg.

Georg Seeßlen
© Georg Seeßlen Georg Seeßlen, geb. 1948 in München, studierte Malerei, Kunstgeschichte und Semiologie in München. Er war Dozent an verschiedenen Hochschulen im In- und Ausland und arbeitet als Publizist und Kulturkritiker u.a. für Die Zeit, SPIEGEL, taz, epd Film, Frankfurter Rundschau, Tagesspiegel. Vor allem zu Film und Popkultur veröffentlichte er zahlreiche Bücher, in denen er aktuelle gesellschaftliche und politische Prozesse reflektiert. Die Bandbreite seiner Arbeiten reicht dabei von Christoph Schlingensief bis Tim und Struppi, von Abhandlungen über Volksmusik bis zu Rechtsextremismus. Zu seinen bekanntesten Werken zählen Blödmaschinen, Geld frisst Kunst – Kunst frisst Geld sowie das zuletzt erschienene Buch Trump! Populismus als Politik. Georg Seeßlen ist seit 2013 Mitglied der Sektion Film- und Medienkunst der Akademie der Künste Berlin.


 

1. Fulfilment of the objective / Relevance to foreign cultural policy / 40%

The artistic/social relevance of the measure is assessed with regard to the general objective of the funding programme. Guiding questions for measuring the relevance of a project include: What are the focal points? Is an exchange enabled that would not otherwise be possible? Are little-heard voices given a say? Are marginalised groups included? Are festival participants from countries whose national cinemas are underrepresented in the German film culture and film festival landscape?
 
2. Project quality / Concept and sustainability of the format / 40%

A) Discourse and exchange: intensity and sustainability / 20%We assess the extent to which the funded measure meets the goal of facilitating international film-related cultural and educational discourse between civil societies. Particular emphasis is placed on the aspect of lasting exchange and the development of synergies, both at individual and institutional levels. It is not just about representation, but also about international co-production, for example by involving interlocutors in the conception and implementation of programme components of the film festivals (e.g., curation of festival series, exchange formats, jury participation, workshops, film discussions, film educational preparation and follow-up of films).

B) Concept of the format / 20%The quality of the measure’s concept is assessed. Guiding questions to measure the quality of the concept can include: Is the content coherent and consistent with the objectives of the funding programme? What is the motivation for implementing the measure? How does the format stand out from others? How are visibility and reach ensured? Is there local anchoring (to strengthen civil society discourse beyond the film festival period)? To what extent are aspects of diversity, inclusion (barrier-free accessibility of the film festival and film festival content), ecological sustainability taken into account in the implementation of the film festival?
 
3. Fulfilment of requirements under grant law / Budget 20%

The proper use and accounting of the requested project funds, eligibility for funding under grant law, economic efficiency and financial sustainability of the individual budget lines of the measure are assessed (see section “What is funded”).

The application deadline has expired.

The next funding round starting 14 March 2022. The application deadline is 25 April 2022 and the funding decision will be communicated in mid-May 2022.

Bei Fragen zu laufenden oder früheren Anträgen, bitte geben Sie Ihre Antragsnummer bei jeder Kommunikation mit uns an.

General information
Applications to the film festival funding programme DE⁺ are made by electronic means using an online form. The application form is only available in German and applications can only be submitted in German.

This blank application form will give you an overview of the structure of the online form.

• Blank application form (PDF, 185 kB)

This manual for the application form gives you information on the fields to be completed and the documents to be submitted. Please read the information thoroughly before you complete an application.

We draw your attention to the applicable Data Protection.

Further information
 

• Model Finance Plan (PDF, 616 kB)

• Template Finance Plan (XLSX, 16 kB)

Contact

filmfestivalfoerderung@goethe.de

Who can apply?

Film festivals as well as organisations based in Germany that have a registered legal form are eligible to apply. Small and medium-sized festivals are also chief targets of the funding. Individual film series are not eligible.
 
Can co-financing be guaranteed through third-party and own funds?

Co-financing through third-party and own funds is not mandatory. However, the use of third-party and own funds can have a positive effect on a funding decision, for example if it expresses an inherent interest in exchange or an effort to secure long-term funding for the format.
 
Can I apply for the maximum funding of €25,000 for my project?

The application amount should be in proportion to the intended project. The total volume of festival funding is €200,000. It is possible that applicants will not be granted the full amount that they request.
 
When should I apply?

There are two application periods per year, in early September and early March. Festivals and organisations can apply in September for a festival edition in the following calendar year and in March for funding for the current calendar year. A festival or organisation is free to choose which of the two application periods it wishes to apply for. After a positive funding decision, the start of the measure only comes into effect when the funding contract is signed.
 
Can programme elements of German film festivals be funded at partner festivals abroad and can travel from Germany to foreign countries be financed with the funding?

Funding is intended for the internationalisation of film festivals in Germany. Travel abroad and the implementation of projects abroad are not eligible for funding.
 
What is eligible for funding?

• Projects, formats, discourse series, exchanges, sustainable educational formats that focus on international exchange
• Preparation and implementation of film festivals (with a focus on transnational cinematic art and cinematic art scenes from abroad)
• Establishment (initialisation) of partnerships with film festivals outside Germany
• Transfer of films and guests from abroad within Germany
• Project-related costs of formats at festivals
   
  • Film distribution fees and online film rights
  • Conception and implementation of streaming programmes and streaming platforms
  • Administration and preparation of the online film programme
  • Technical support and implementation
  • Travel and accommodation costs of international guests invited to Germany (Filmmakers, Jury members, Stakeholders from the fields of film and culture)
    
     
• Fees: Project staff, Curators, Filmmakers, Experts, Moderators, Speakers, Interpreters, Technical management
• Translation costs (of all festival publications/website/newsletters)
• Subtitling of international film programmes
• Implementation of sustainable networking formats (Implementation of online live Q&As, Panel discussions, Discussion rounds, Online talks (between filmmakers and experts on different topics), Extended film discussions, Production and handling (editing and uploading) of interviews with international filmmakers, Informal meetings and receptions, Offers accompanying the reception, Accompanying programmes
   
• Specialised further training for filmmakers (Masterclasses, Workshops, Networking events (e.g., for topic-specific one-on-one discussions), Project presentations)

Can I apply a second time with my festival?

Festivals can apply again in consecutive years (independent of the funding decision).
 
Can I also have my project funded by Goethe-Instituts in the partner countries, or is there a risk of double funding here?

Additional funding by a Goethe-Institut abroad is basically possible. If you have already spoken to a local Goethe-Institut about funding for your project and now want to apply for this funding, it is important to inform the local Goethe-Institut about this.
 
Can the Goethe-Institut help me find a project partner?

One way to establish contacts with the film scene abroad and find project partners is to contact the local Goethe-Instituts. Establishing contacts between future project partners is not the purpose of the funding. The initiative for this should come from the actual festival actors.
 
Do you have further questions about the promotional fund or about submitting your project? 

Question and answer sessions on funding, which you can register for, will be held on 12 October, 21 October and 3 November 2021 from 17.00 to 18.00 hrs. Or you can arrange a personal advisory interview. Please write an email to: filmfestivalfoerderung@goethe.de

seleected formats from the first funding round:

- Lusophones Afrika-Filmprogramm und kuratiertes Schulangebot (Afrika Film Festival Köln)
- WaLa Internationales Filmfestival
- Jüdisches Film Festival Berlin Brandenburg
- DOK.network Africa (DOK.fest München)
- „Gastland Rumänien“ (FILMKUNSTFEST MV)
- REALITIES. Europäisches Netzwerktreffen zum Dok.-film für Kinder und Jugendliche (doxs! ruhr programm)
- Internationales Programm (Edimotion)