Children's Film Development

Creative Development supports the development of children’s and family-oriented content.

Is this funding right for me?

First, please check whether you meet the funding criteria. The Children’s Film Development program is aimed at filmmakers and production companies who wish to develop material for young audiences. Funding is provided as part of the Creative Development program and supports project development in its early stages.

Funding Criteria for the Creative Development of Children’s Films

Funding for the development of children’s and family-oriented content within the framework of creative development.

  • Children’s and Family Projects

    Children’s and family content will be among the funding priorities for Creative Development in 2026/2027.

  • Fiction and Animation

    Depending on the project, children’s film projects can be developed as fictional feature films or animation projects within the tiered model.

  • Multi-stage Development

    Depending on the stage of development, funding may be provided for an exposé, a treatment, a screenplay, and screenplay development.

  • Eligibility by Funding Stage

    In Stage 1, writers from North Rhine-Westphalia and film school graduates may submit proposals; in Stages 2 and 3, submissions must generally be made in collaboration with producers.

  • Funding Amounts by Development Stage

    Stage 1: 5,000 euros, Stage 2: 15,000 euros, Stage 3: 20,000 euros; a maximum of 45,000 euros may generally be awarded in total.

  • No students

    Students at a film school are not eligible to apply; the graduation film grant is available to them.

  • Missing Consultation for Level 2 and Above

    For Levels 2 and 3, a consultation is required before submitting an application.

  • No comparable parallel funding

    Creative Development projects cannot be submitted simultaneously under a comparable FMS funding category such as MADE IN NRW or Low Budget.

Service Center

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 )

Schedule an appointment

A consultation is required before submitting an application.

For the consultation: Please send your appointment request via email to the responsible program officer, along with a one-page summary of the project and, for first-time contact, your resume and filmography.

Contact Person for Children’s Film Development

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.

About the Creative Development Committee →

Creative Development

This grant is part of Creative Development. Learn about the various funding opportunities and find the right path for developing your project.

Creative Development →

News: News from the FMS

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