Production Funding for International Co-productions
We support international co-productions for the cinema and strengthen cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia and international production partners.
Is this funding right for me?
First, please check whether you meet the funding criteria. There are different funding options available for production funding of international co-productions. In addition to regular production funding, low-budget projects may be eligible for simplified funding. Which funding route is appropriate depends on the project requirements, the budget, and the level of involvement of the German or North Rhine-Westphalian production side.
a) High-Budget Productions
Funding for international feature film co-productions with a German co-producer and an NRW impact.
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International Co-production Project
International co-productions are funded as part of the regular production funding program for feature films.
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German Co-Producer
International projects must include a German co-producer.
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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 Loan
Funding is provided in the form of a conditionally repayable, interest-free loan. For international co-productions, special limits apply to the funding rate.
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Environmental Standards
Compliance with the environmental standards for production funding of films and series is mandatory.
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German Co-Producer Required
International projects without a German co-producer are not eligible for this type of funding.
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Missing Consultation
A consultation is required before submitting an application. Access to the online portal will only be granted after this consultation.
b) Low-Budget Productions (Simplified Funding)
Funding for the production of low-budget international co-productions. Feature-length fiction and documentary films are eligible for funding under the Simplified Funding program.
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International Co-production
Funding is provided for international co-productions under the Simplified Funding program for feature-length fiction and documentary films.
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NRW Co-Producer
For international co-productions, the participation of a co-producer from North Rhine-Westphalia is required.
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Low Budget
The project must meet the requirements for simplified funding and may not exceed total production costs of 1.5 million euros.
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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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Type of Funding
Funding is provided as a grant under the Simplified Funding Program.
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Environmental Standards
Compliance with the environmental standards for the production funding of films and TV series is mandatory.
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No NRW Co-Producer
International co-productions without co-producers from North Rhine-Westphalia are not eligible to apply for this type of funding.
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No short films
International co-productions may be submitted under the Simplified Funding program exclusively for the production of feature-length films.
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Missing consultation
A consultation is required before submitting an application. Access to the online portal will only be granted after the consultation.
Application Documents
- Screenplay or, for documentary films, treatment
- 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-residence information and commitments
- Cast list or list of lead actors, specifying their tax residency and commitments
- Company profile/filmography of the applicants
- Director’s filmography
- Budget with a breakdown of regional 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
- For documentary films: if available, a link to the raw footage (max. 20 min.)
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 High-Budget Production Funding – International Feature Film Co-productions
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Isabel Krolla
Cinema/Grant Applications Coordinator
![Portraitbild von Isabel Krolla]()
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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]()
Contact person for production funding: Low Budget / Simplified Funding – International Feature Film Co-production
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Roman Roitman
Programmer for Low-Budget and Documentary Films
The Selection Process
Submitted projects are evaluated by different committees depending on the funding track. The Film Funding Committee decides on High-Budget 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
