Short-Form Content (High-End & Vertical Drama Development)
Creative Development supports the development of high-end short-form content and vertical dramas for digital platforms and new viewing habits. Films cannot be submitted here; only series formats are eligible.
To apply for the exposé grantIs this grant right for me?
First, please check whether you meet the eligibility criteria. This grant is intended for writers, filmmakers, and production companies who wish to develop high-quality fictional short-form formats or vertical dramas. The grant is provided as part of the Creative Development program.
Funding Criteria for Creative Development – Short-Form Content & Vertical Dramas
Development of high-quality short-form content and vertical dramas as a funding priority within Creative Development.
-
Serial formats only
Films cannot be submitted here; only series formats are eligible.
-
Part of Creative Development
Short-form content with a focus on high-end and vertical dramas will be a funding priority for Creative Development in 2026/2027.
-
Consultation available only starting at Level 2
Please note: No consultation is offered for the synopsis funding program. Please use the application form on the synopsis funding page.
-
High-End & Vertical Dramas
Both fictional vertical drama formats and documentary verticals are eligible for funding.
-
Multi-Stage Development
Funding is provided in up to two stages.
-
Writers and Producers
Depending on the stage, authors or filmmakers may apply for funding either individually or jointly with producers.
-
Funding Amount by Stage
The funding amount depends on the respective creative development stage.
-
No comparable parallel funding
Creative Development projects may not be submitted simultaneously for a comparable funding category offered by the Film and Media Foundation.
-
No automatic follow-up funding
Receiving funding does not guarantee funding for the next stage of creative development; a new application must be submitted for each stage.
Application Documents
- Pitch paper including logline, synopsis, genre, format, USP, and visual and narrative vision (max. 5 pages)
- Writer’s Note / Producer’s Note
- Filmography/CV of the writer or director
- Production filmography, if applicable
- Proof of rights to the material or option agreement
- Extract from the commercial register, business registration, or proof of primary residence in North Rhine-Westphalia
- 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
- For emerging talents without a production company: a fully developed dialogue scene or a suitable text sample (max. 8 pages)
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
-
![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
-
![]()
Four films funded by the German Film Foundation are currently in the running for the 2026 Oscar shortlist
September 14, 2026
-
![German Films Empfang anläßlich der 83. Filmfestspiele von Venedig
06. September 2026
Venedig/Italien
©German Films/Kurt Krieger]()
Two productions funded by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW received awards at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival:
September 12, 2026
