German Film Industry to Receive Significant Boost
The German production community has welcomed plans for a great increase in the country’s production incentive program. This move is expected to make Germany a more attractive location for film and series productions.
Increased Funding for Production Incentives
From 2026, the German government has achieved an increase in financing for the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF I and II) and the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF). The financing of the two production plans would increase from € 133 million annually to € 250 million from next year and from 2027 to 2029. This significant increase in funding is a result of the efforts of the Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s cabinet, presented by the German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil after agreement with the Foreign Minister for Culture and the media Wolfram Weimer.
Reaction from the Film Industry
Klingbeil said: “Germany has a wonderful film scene. We want to be a top location for film and series productions that are internationally successful. That is why we increase film production in Germany: with higher film-financed, combined with incentives for producers and investment boths for the providers of media services.” The German producers Alliance, the documentary filmmakers of Filmemakers AG DOK and the Independent Produciation Prog Producers of Germany, an industry alliance of the German Film Academy, the Documentary Filmers Association, welcomed the government’s decision.
Industry Response and Future Prospects
Producer Martin Heisler from the local flare film in his position as chairman of the German Film Academy said that the step of the new coalition government had given a strong signal after only 100 days in office. "The fact that the additional financing will flow from January 2026 and is secured by 2029 creates the urgently needed planning security – a decisive thrust for Germany as a film center," he said. "It underlines the cultural and economic importance of our industry and creates reliable conditions for working at a high level and remains internationally competitive. This is good news for producers and filmmakers from all disciplines."
Recent Developments and Supported Projects
In February, the discount for the DFFF or GMPF systems rose from 25% to 30% of the approved German production costs. The latest projects supported by the DFFF I and DFFF II schemes include Agnes & Amir, Sophie Holdman’s Miss Pirie & Miss Woods, David Twohys Riddick 4: Furya, and Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician program. While the fifth season of Babylon Berlin and Disney+’s ten% – Call my agent were among the series supported by GMPF.
