Production Funding for Children's Films
We support the production of children’s and family films—from low-budget projects to major theatrical productions.
Submission Dates Film Funding Committee:
Submission Dates Simplified Funding Jury:
Is this funding right for me?
First, please check whether you meet the funding criteria. Production funding is intended for producers who wish to make children’s films. In addition to regular production funding, low-budget projects may be eligible for simplified funding. Which funding option is appropriate depends on your project’s requirements and budget.
a) High-Budget Productions
Funding for the production of children’s films as part of the regular production funding program.
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Children’s Film Projects
Children’s film projects are funded as part of the regular production support program.
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Producers
Producers are eligible to apply. For international projects, a German co-producer is required.
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NRW Effect
At least 1.5 times the amount of funding granted must be spent in North Rhine-Westphalia.
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Funding Rate and Type
Funding generally covers up to 50% of the costs and is provided as a conditionally repayable, interest-free loan.
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Environmental Standards
Compliance with the environmental standards for film and series production funding is mandatory.
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Missing Consultation
A consultation is required before submitting an application; access to the application portal will only be granted after the consultation.
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German co-producer required
For international projects, a German co-producer is required.
b) Low-Budget Productions (Simplified Funding)
Funding for low-budget children’s films under the Simplified Funding program.
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Low-Budget Children’s Film
Funding is provided for children’s film projects under the Simplified Funding program for low-budget projects of all genres.
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Applicants from North Rhine-Westphalia
Producers, directors, and distributors headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia are eligible to apply.
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Maximum Project Size
The estimated total cost of the project may not exceed 1.5 million euros.
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Grant Amount and Funding Rate
For feature-length film productions, up to 100,000 euros is available. The grant amounts to a maximum of 80% of the estimated total costs.
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Environmental Standards
Compliance with environmental standards is mandatory; exceptions include, among others, productions with a production budget of less than 50,000 euros.
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No Students
Students are not eligible to apply; separate funding is available for graduation film projects.
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No prior rejection in the regular funding program
Projects that were submitted under the regular funding program and rejected cannot be resubmitted under the Simplified Funding Program.
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Missing consultation meeting
A consultation is required before submitting an application; access to the application portal will only be granted after the consultation has taken place.
Application Documents
- Screenplay
- Cover Letter to the Jury
- Project Description
- Proof of acquisition of the film adaptation and exploitation rights to the source material, book, and title
- Cast and crew list, including tax-related residence information and commitments
- Cast list, including tax residency information and commitments
- Company profile/filmography of the applicants
- Director’s filmography
- Budget with a breakdown of state-specific effects
- Financing plan
- Documentation of the funding components specified in the financing plan
- Status Report on Financing
- Breakdown of the producer’s contribution
- Status report on exploitation strategies, marketing, and evaluation options
- Recoupment Plan
- Shooting schedule, including filming locations
- Extract from the Commercial Register
- Statement confirming that this is a new project
- Self-declaration by management and production management regarding compliance with environmental standards
- Preliminary CO₂ report
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.
a) High-budget productions
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Isabel Krolla
Cinema/Grant Applications Coordinator
![Portraitbild von Isabel Krolla]()
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Marie Mosch
Junior Program Officer, Contact Person for the Children’s Film Funding Program
![Portraitbild von Marie Mosch]()
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Martina Horbach
Cinema/Funding Agreements Coordinator
![Portraitbild von Martina Horbach]()
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Sylwia Wieczorek-Ficek
Case Processing
![Portraitbild von Sylwia Wieczorek-Ficek]()
b) Low-budget productions (simplified funding)
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Nazgol Majlessi
Speaker
![Portraitbild von Nazgol Majlessi]()
The Selection Process
Submitted projects are evaluated by different committees depending on the funding track. The Film Funding Committee decides on regular production funding. For Simplified Funding, a decision is made by an independent jury whose three members are appointed by Filmbüro NW e. V. and reconstituted for each funding session.
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
