Feature Film Treatment Grant

Creative Development supports the further development of fictional feature film projects—from the synopsis to the treatment with a visual concept.

03.02.2027

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 their material into a detailed treatment. Submissions are typically made in collaboration with a production company; however, 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.

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 )

Application Documents

Go to the application portal →

One-pager with logline, synopsis, genre, format, and USP
Synopsis
Writer’s Note
Producer’s Note
Filmography/Biography of the Writer or Director
Production Filmography
Proof of rights to the material
Extract from the Commercial Register or Business Registration, or proof of primary residence in North Rhine-Westphalia (not older than 6 months)
Statement regarding the feasibility of producing the project in North Rhine-Westphalia
Statement confirming that this is a new project or details regarding the status of previous funding applications

Important: This treatment grant is for fictional works (films and series). Documentaries and animated films are funded in Stage 2 through the separate project development grant.

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 contacts, your resume and filmography.

Contact person for feature film treatment grants

Cher Zimmerer

Deputy Director of Funding Audio and Development Specialist
Contact Cher Zimmerer via email.
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 )

Only if all criteria are met can a consultation appointment be arranged.

Yes, I meet all the criteria and have read and understood the funding guidelines Yes, I meet all the criteria and have read and understood the funding guidelines*

Request an appointment →
Marie Mosch

Junior Program Officer, Contact Person for the Children’s Film Funding Program

Contact Marie Mosch via email.