Show us what cinema can do: Submit your visually striking and original film idea for the Wim Wenders grant!
Today marks the launch of the call for entries for the 13th Wim Wenders Grant from the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW: As always, the grant—which comes with a total prize of 100,000 euros—is being awarded in collaboration with the Wim Wenders Foundation. Wim Wenders himself , with the support of an advisory board—which includes Mirko Derpmann ( Creative Director at Scholz & Friends), Walid Nakschbandi (Executive Director of the Film and Media Foundation NRW), and Hella Wenders (Co-Executive Director of the Wim Wenders Foundation).
The grant focuses on originality, artistic independence, and the courage to think freely in film. The grant is intended for projects that demonstrate a distinctive visual language and a clear visual concept.
We are looking for film projects that consciously dare to take risks: unusual stories, surprising perspectives, innovative forms of storytelling, and a signature style that is instantly recognizable. Funding is awarded to projects that are not only compelling in terms of content but also visually ambitious, creatively sophisticated, and intelligently entertaining. The grant creates creative freedom for experimentation.
Filmmakers who wish to forge their own path in cinema may apply with their first or second film project. The Wim Wenders grant gives them the opportunity to test their skills and further develop their ideas independently. We are looking for projects in which the narrative concept and cinematic execution are equally important.
Applications for the Wim Wenders grant are due by August 28
Applications may only be submittedvia this LINK. Only after your eligibility has been confirmed will a booking link be sent for the mandatory consultation with Cher Zimmerer, Head of Development. Afterward, access to the online application portal will be granted. Submissions must be made exclusively in digital form. Submissions that do not follow this process, are incomplete, or are submitted late cannot be considered .
From all applications, Wim Wenders, supported by the advisory board, selects the finalists for the Wim Wenders Grant through a two-stage selection process. In the final round, the selected candidates pitch their projects in person to Wim Wenders and his advisory board.
The Wim Wenders Grant
Since 2014, this prestigious grant has been awarded annually by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and the Wim Wenders Foundation. To date, approximately 1.2 million euros have been awarded for a total of 57 grants. Thanks to this early-stage development support, the majority of the projects have been successfully realized. From the most recent cohorts, Miedya Mahmod andDaniel Kötter are in pre-production with their documentary“Zwischen zwei Zeiten” (Between Two Times). Britta Wauer is currently filming“Im Takt des Purzelbaums”(In the Rhythm ofthe Somersault), as is Nicola Fegg with“Oh! You Pretty Thing.” Christian Zipfel’s“Pestizid” will begin filming in Cologne at the end of July. Philipp Hönig’s“Dieses Leben” and Sylvia Borges’“Der Schüler*innen-Report” are already nearing the end of production.