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Your current search term: Apply for a certificate under the Film Promotion Act and/or a certificate of origin
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Apply for a certificate under the Film Promotion Act and/or a certificate of origin

If you are involved in the production and distribution of German feature films, you have the option of applying for funding from the German Federal Film Board (FFA). To do so, you need a certificate issued under the Film Promotion Act (FGG).

You must apply for the certificate in a timely manner—in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing, no later than two months before filming begins—with the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), and then submit it along with your funding application to the FFA.

The certificate serves to confirm that your film meets the requirements of the FGG for recognition as a German film. The FFA decides whether you will receive funding and, if so, the amount. 

If you plan to distribute your film abroad, you may need to submit a Certificate of Origin there. You must also apply for the Certificate of Origin from the BAFA. It certifies that your film is a German film as defined by the FFG.  

The same requirements apply to the certificate of origin as to the certification. If you need both a certification and a certificate of origin, you can submit both applications at the same time using the same application form.  

Note: The FFG applies exclusively to feature films. Therefore, certificates are generally issued only for German feature films.

  • Certificate or Certificate of Origin for German Feature Films under the Film Promotion Act—Issuance
  • Forms: Application for Issuance of a Certificate/Certificate of Origin
  • Certificate: 
    • Required for submission to the German Federal Film Board for applications for film funding for German feature films 
  • Certificate of Origin: 
    • Required for the commercial distribution of German films abroad, provided that a certificate of origin is required by the destination country
  • Both applications are submitted to the BAFA using the same application form
  • The form can be downloaded from the BAFA website
  • Responsible authority: Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA)

  • Appendix: Cultural Criteria  
  • Co-production Agreement(s)
  • Proof of completion of the theatrical release format
  • Proof of World Premiere
  • Financing Plan
  • Cast and Crew List
  • You can also find additional documents required for your specific case in the instructions for filling out the corresponding form

Eligible to apply is the film producer who has 

  • residence or business address in Germany or
  • a branch office in Germany, 
    • provided that their place of residence or business is in another member state of the European Union,
    • in a signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
    • in Switzerland.

To be recognized as a German film, your film must meet the following requirements of the FFG:

  • The director of your film must
    • either be a German national,
    • belong to the German cultural sphere, or 
    • a national of another member state of the European Union, 
    • a contracting state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or
    • Switzerland.
  • In any case, the final version of your feature-length film must be shot in German or dubbed into German. For short films, the final version must include subtitles suitable for theatrical release. 
  • The subject matter of your film must address cultural, historical, or social issues.
  • Your film must either
    • in German in Germany,
    • as a German entry in the main competition, or
    • in a side section at a festival.
  • Your film must meet at least two of the required cultural criteria.
  • For studio shoots, you must use studios and, for production and post-production, technical service providers that have their registered office in
    • Germany,
    • another member state of the European Union,
    • a signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or 
    • in Switzerland.

Notes on international co-productions:

If, in a co-production, at least one of the producers has their place of business or residence outside of Germany, recognition must be obtained in accordance with 

  • the European Convention on the Co-production of Films or 
  • a bilateral or multilateral intergovernmental agreement. 

If no bilateral or multilateral agreement exists or if no agreement is applicable, the German producer(s) must provide a financial contribution that is substantial in relation to the foreign participation, as well as an appropriate level of artistic and technical involvement. If the German participation is predominant, your film must have had its premiere in German within Germany or as a German entry at a festival. In addition, your film must meet at least two of the required cultural criteria. This also applies in the case of recognition under a bilateral or multilateral agreement.

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You can apply for the certificate or the certificate of origin in writing:

  • Download the application form from the BAFA website and fill it out completely. 
  • Then send it, along with the required documents, exclusively by mail to the appropriate office at BAFA. 
  • Once you have provided all the necessary information and the documents are complete, BAFA will decide on your application. 
  • If your application is approved, you will receive the certificate or certificate of origin by mail. 
  • If you do not meet the requirements, you will receive a notice of rejection with a detailed explanation.
  • You may file an appeal against this decision. 
  • If the rejection is upheld following your appeal, you will receive a notice of appeal decision with a detailed explanation.
  • You may file a lawsuit with the administrative court against this appeal decision.

Approximately 10 days, provided the application is complete.

The application for certification must be submitted in a timely manner; in the case of international co-productions or international co-financing, it must be submitted no later than two months before filming begins.

Forms: yes

Online procedure available: no

Written form required: yes

In-person appearance required: no

Redirect Service: Deep Link to the Original Portal

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Source: Serviceportal Saarland