“Made in NRW”: New Development Initiative by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and WDR
WDR, in collaboration with the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, is launching the “Made in NRW” development initiative. The program specifically supports the early development phase of film and series projects, documentaries, and other content for ARD’s digital distribution channels, regardless of genre.
With an annual budget of 300,000 euros, the Film and Media Foundation will fund up to six fictional or non-fictional projects. Eligible applicants are producers based in or operating from North Rhine-Westphalia who, in collaboration with NRW-based talent (screenwriters and/or directors), are developing projects with streaming potential—particularly for the ARD Mediathek. Funding is provided as a grant of up to 50,000 euros per project.
Creatives can submit their story ideas to the Film and Media Foundation by May 20, 2026. A jury consisting of representatives from WDR, the Film and Media Foundation NRW, and an independent jury member who changes annually will select the projects to receive funding by June 17, 2026.
The initiative responds to structural changes in the industry: projects are already competing for funding and visibility during the development phase. “Made in NRW” therefore intervenes early on and combines financial support with professional guidance and an early opportunity for evaluation.
Dr. Katrin Vernau, WDR Director General: “With ‘Made in NRW,’ we’re taking our successful support for emerging talent to the next level. We’re giving the creative minds in North Rhine-Westphalia the opportunity to bring their original ideas to life. For our audience, we anticipate a greater variety of perspectives in innovative, surprising, and thought-provoking content—tailored specifically for our digital distribution channels and for people we haven’t yet been able to reach as effectively. This is a win for everyone involved, and at the same time, it strengthens North Rhine-Westphalia as a production hub.
Walid Nakschbandi, Managing Director of the Film and Media Foundation NRW: “With ‘Made in NRW,’ we are consistently implementing our new funding strategy. Together with our shareholder and partner, WDR, we support talent and producers at an early stage, thereby strengthening quality, original content, and a willingness to take risks—all ‘made in NRW.’ I am particularly pleased that we were able to recruit actress, producer, and North Rhine-Westphalia native Aylin Tezel as a prominent creative voice for the jury—one who stands for artistic quality, new perspectives, and a close connection to North Rhine-Westphalia as a production hub.
Concrete Support with Prospects for Production
The goal of “Made in NRW” is to establish structured collaboration between creatives, producers, and the broadcaster from the very beginning and to mitigate both creative and financial risks during the development phase.
To clearly communicate the requirements for content development for digital platforms at an early stage, talent from North Rhine-Westphalia is supported throughout the content development process. If, within twelve months of the funding program’s conclusion, WDR has not commissioned the project, the rights revert entirely to the grant recipients.
A Joint Statement for North Rhine-Westphalia as a Media Hub
With “Made in NRW,” the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and WDR reaffirm their strategic partnership to strengthen North Rhine-Westphalia as a media hub. The program exemplifies a funding approach that more closely integrates development, piloting, and evaluation—from the initial idea to public visibility.
Contact & Information on the new “Made in NRW” funding program:
Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Nazgol Majlessi, nazgol.majlessi@filmstiftung.de
Interested parties are asked to submit a one-page project summary via email. A prerequisite for submission is a consultation with the funding officer.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Film- und Medienstiftung NRW
Tanja Güß Phone: +49 221-26030-500 tanja.guess@filmstiftung.de / presse@filmstiftung.de
WDR Communications Phone: 0221 / 220 7100 kommunikation@wdr.de