Introduction to the New Fund
The Federal Minister of Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has introduced a new funding program for German cinemas. This initiative focuses on supporting German, European, and artistically demanding films. The program, called “Liebling Kino,” has been allocated an annual budget of 7 million euros.
Goals and Objectives
The primary goal of the “Liebling Kino” program is to preserve and strengthen the German cinema landscape. According to Minister Weimer, cinemas play a crucial role in providing a space for encounters, emotions, and shared experiences, both in urban and rural areas. He emphasized the importance of cinemas, especially during times of social tension, as they offer a communal experience and the unifying power of film art.
Funding and Support
The funding program uses a guideline system to support exhibitors. This system takes into account the number of visitors to a cinema for the theatrical releases of German and European films, as well as films in the “artistic-creative film” category. This category includes festival films, productions supported by the BKM, and young talent films supported by the Board of Trustees for Young German Films. Additional points can be earned by cinemas that organize school screenings, program at least 100 documentaries, and host film events that discuss socially relevant issues. Each “reference point” is worth 1.50 euros, with a maximum payout of 150,000 euros per cinema.
Application and Management
The German Film Fund (FFA) will manage the “Liebling Kino” program on behalf of the BKM. Cinema operators can apply for funding through the FFA’s digital service portal starting from November. This new program complements existing awards that recognize the high quality of film programming by cinemas throughout Germany, such as those offered by regional film funds like Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, MOIN Filmförder, and FFF Bayern.
Conclusion
The “Liebling Kino” program is a significant initiative that aims to support and strengthen the German cinema landscape. By providing funding to cinemas that showcase German, European, and artistically demanding films, the program promotes cultural diversity and the communal experience of cinema. This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the German film industry and provide audiences with a wider range of high-quality films to enjoy.
