Trusted Attorney

The Film and Media Foundation NRW is committed to the conscientious, consistent, and transparent implementation of its compliance regulations. To this end, the Film and Media Foundation NRW has appointed a confidential counsel who serves as an independent and external point of contact for employees, jury members, and all external parties. In the event of (potential) compliance violations, the confidential counsel may be notified anonymously. The confidential counsel will then investigate and efficiently address the reported issues. Due to his external status, the confidential counsel offers a high degree of neutrality and independence, combined with specialized expertise and confidentiality. Whistleblowers incur no costs or other disadvantages. The option to inform the Compliance Officer of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW remains available, regardless of the role of the trusted attorney.

The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) protects all employees from discrimination in the workplace, particularly on the basis of national origin, gender, religion, disability, age, or sexual identity. Discrimination, harassment, or bullying are not permitted and will not be tolerated by the company. Pursuant to Section 13 of the AGG, employees have the right to file a complaint with a competent complaints office if they feel they have been discriminated against or if they observe a violation of the principle of equal treatment. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW has established an AGG complaints office for this purpose with our trusted attorney. The report will be reviewed confidentially and impartially, and no adverse consequences will result from filing the complaint. In addition, Section 61b of the Labor Court Act (ArbGG) must be observed: If employees wish to claim compensation under Section 15 of the AGG, they must file a lawsuit within three months of making a written claim. Once this period has expired, legal enforcement is no longer possible.

Our goal is a respectful, discrimination-free work environment.

The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW’s confidential counsel is responsible for all (potential) legal violations, including, for example:

• Violations related to a conflict of interest,
• discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment,
• violations of labor law and occupational safety regulations (e.g., drug or alcohol use in the workplace),
• Violations of antitrust law and violations of fair competition,
• Violations of data protection regulations,
• misconduct by supervisors, employees, and colleagues, or
• violations of any other criminal laws of any kind.

The confidential counsel for the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW are Dr. Lars Mesenbrink and Ms. Marianna Urban, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Heinrich-Heine-Allee 12, 40213 Düsseldorf, Phone: 0211-36787 325, Email: lmesenbrink@orrick.com / murban@orrick.com

The internal compliance contact is Dr. Eike Krumsiek, Deichmannhaus, Bahnhofsvorplatz 1, 50667 Cologne, Tel.: 0221-260 30-200, Email: Eike.Krumsiek@filmstiftung.de