Germany in Focus: Exploring Federal and Regional Film Funding for Co-Productions

In this must-attend session, Bérénice Honold, advisor to the CEO for international and European affairs at the German Federal Film Board (FFA), will provide a comprehensive presentation on the German Federal Film Funding system, focusing on its structure and the upcoming reforms scheduled for 2025. This session will offer essential insights into how the national funding landscape in Germany is evolving and what this means for international producers interested in co-productions.

Following the federal overview, the event will transition to "In the Spotlight: German Regional Funds & Talents," moderated by seasoned journalist Martin Blaney. In this segment, attention shifts to Germany’s diverse regional funds, showcasing how these organisations support film production and international collaborations. Along with an overview of the regional funding landscape, the session will highlight the German filmmakers and talents attending Tallinn, offering a comprehensive perspective on both funding opportunities and the creative talent behind key projects. These talents will present their films and projects, share their experiences, and outline the support and partnerships they are seeking within their respective areas of focus, including fiction, documentary, and animation.

The discussion will centre on co-producing with Germany and on new projects from German talents. It will also offer practical advice on federal and regional funds. Panellists will share insider recommendations on what works—and what doesn’t—when seeking funding from Germany. With multiple German talents in attendance, producers will also have the opportunity to hear first-hand about current and upcoming projects and the potential for collaboration.

1. Overview of the German funding system, outlook of the planned reform
Speaker: Bérénice Honold, FFA

2. In the Spotlight: German Regional Funds and Talent

- Introduction of Regional Film Funds

Moderator: Martin Blaney

Panellists:
Film- und Medienstiftung: Heike Meyer-Döring
Hessen Film & Medien: Patrick Schaaf
Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg: Miriam Henze
MDM: Dana Messerschmidt
MOIN: Katrin Mersmann

- Presenting talents and projects from the above regions

Moderator: Martin Blaney

Panellists:

Film
Julia Feit (jip)
Nicolas Kronauer (Fourmat Film)
Sophie Ahrens (Schuldenberg Films)
Claudia Schröter (CALA Film)
Sebastian Weyland (Heimathafen)

Children and Youth Films
Eliza Plocieniak-Alvarez (Blaue Pampelmuse)
Stephan Henz (DCM – „Sieger Sein“)
Patrick Büchting (Canger Film)
Daniel Ehrenberg (Eyrie Entertainment)

Series
Laura von Portatius (Wüste Film)
Corinna C. Poetter (eitelsonnenschein)
Jennifer Mueller von der Haegen (Weydemann Bros)