Animation Treatment Grant
Creative Development supports the further development of animation projects.
Is this grant right for me?
First, please check whether you meet the funding criteria. The treatment grant is intended for writers and filmmakers who wish to further develop an animated project into a detailed treatment. Submissions are typically made in collaboration with a production company; under certain conditions, experienced writers and filmmakers may also submit an application without a production company.
Funding Criteria for Creative Development Treatment Funding
Funding for treatment and research in Stage 2 of Creative Development based on a previously developed synopsis.
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Fictional Material
Funding is provided for the further development of fictional material from an exposé to a treatment as part of Creative Development.
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Exposé as a Starting Point
The starting point is an already developed synopsis; funding is provided for the development of the treatment and further research.
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Authors and Producers
Writers and filmmakers generally submit applications together with producers who have their headquarters, place of business, or branch office in Germany.
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15,000 euros in funding
For treatment funding in Stage 2, applicants may apply for 15,000 euros. Funding is generally provided as a grant.
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Secured Development Rights
If the application is submitted with a producer, at least one option agreement regarding the development of the project must be in place.
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Missing Consultation
A consultation is required prior to submitting the application in Stage 2; the request must be made well in advance of the submission deadline.
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No comparable parallel funding
Creative Development projects cannot be submitted simultaneously under a comparable funding category of the Film and Media Foundation.
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No automatic follow-up funding
Funding in Stage 2 does not guarantee funding in Stage 3; the next stage must be applied for separately.
Service Center
Download Level 2 Treatment Funding Documentation (pdf, 70,58 KB ) Download Level 2 Treatment Grant: Fiction (pdf, 68,27 KB ) Download Stufenmodell Creative Development (pdf, 75,75 KB ) Download Merkblatt zu Prüfgebühren der Pw C (pdf, 11,83 KB ) Download Ansprechpartner Innen der PWC (pdf, 378,71 KB )Application Documents
- One-pager with logline, synopsis, genre, format, and USP
- Treatment
- Writer’s Note
- Producer’s Note
- Filmography/Biography of the Writer or Director
- Production Filmography
- Proof of rights to the material or option agreement
- Extract from the commercial register, business registration, or proof of primary residence
- Statement regarding the feasibility of producing the project in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Statement confirming that this is a new project or details regarding previous funding applications
Schedule an appointment
A consultation is required before submitting an application.
For the consultation: Please send your appointment request via email, along with a one-page summary of the project and, for first-time contact, your resume and filmography, to the responsible program officer.
Contact Person for Animation Treatment Grants
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Cher Zimmerer
Deputy Director of Funding Audio and Development Specialist
![Portraitbild von Cher Zimmerer]()
Funding Criteria for Creative Development Treatment Funding
Funding for treatment and research in Stage 2 of Creative Development based on a previously developed synopsis.
-
Fictional Material
Funding is provided for the further development of fictional material from an exposé to a treatment as part of Creative Development.
-
Exposé as a Starting Point
The starting point is an already developed synopsis; funding is provided for the development of the treatment and further research.
-
Authors and Producers
Writers and filmmakers generally submit applications together with producers who have their headquarters, place of business, or branch office in Germany.
-
15,000 euros in funding
For treatment funding in Stage 2, applicants may apply for 15,000 euros. Funding is generally provided as a grant.
-
Secured Development Rights
If the application is submitted with a producer, at least one option agreement regarding the development of the project must be in place.
-
Missing Consultation
A consultation is required prior to submitting the application in Stage 2; the request must be made well in advance of the submission deadline.
-
No comparable parallel funding
Creative Development projects cannot be submitted simultaneously under a comparable funding category of the Film and Media Foundation.
-
No automatic follow-up funding
Funding in Stage 2 does not guarantee funding in Stage 3; the next stage must be applied for separately.
Service Center
Download Level 2 Treatment Funding Documentation (pdf, 70,58 KB ) Download Level 2 Treatment Grant: Fiction (pdf, 68,27 KB ) Download Stufenmodell Creative Development (pdf, 75,75 KB ) Download Merkblatt zu Prüfgebühren der Pw C (pdf, 11,83 KB ) Download Ansprechpartner Innen der PWC (pdf, 378,71 KB ) -
The Selection Process
Submitted projects are reviewed by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and a team of experts. Funding decisions are made three times a year.
News: News from the FMS
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24. Verleihung Gerd Ruge Stipendium der Film- und Medienstiftung NRW
October 7, 2026
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![LAUPHEIM, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 18: <<enter caption here>> attends the Carl Laemmle Produzentenpreis 2026 (Producer Award) at Schloss Laupheim on September 18, 2026 in Laupheim, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images for Carl Laemmle UG)]()
Michael Souvignier Receives the 2026 Carl Laemmle Producer Award / The 2026 Carl Laemmle VFF Talent Award Goes to Paulina Lorenz, Jorgo Narjes, and Faraz Shariat for “Staatsschutz”
September 19, 2026
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Four films funded by the German Film Foundation are currently in the running for the 2026 Oscar shortlist
September 14, 2026
