DFFF and GMPF Application Numbers at All-Time High – Update of Application Requirements Necessary
Since the increase of their funding rates and caps in 2025, DFFF and GMPF have recorded a record number of submitted applications and principal photography starts for feature film and series productions. The persistently high number of applications together with the approximately EUR 200m in budget funds announced for 2027 are now leading to an update of the application requirements.
The extraordinarily high demand confirms the attractiveness and relevance of the BKM's economic film funding for the production of feature films and high-end series. While EUR 183m was awarded to 140 projects last year, this year already EUR 151m has been awarded to 103 projects. Another 111 submitted projects are currently being processed. The high number of applications concerns both feature film funding under DFFF I and the funding of high-end series and films under GMPF. In order to accommodate the large number of applications and the remaining funds available for this year, readjustments in the application process are now necessary to ensure planning security in the industry. For projects with principal photography starting in 2026, restricted application acceptance applies. Despite the large number of applications already submitted, applications with a total volume of approximately EUR 30m can currently still be accepted. All accepted applications will be able to be approved either this year or at the beginning of next year. In order to take into account projects that are close to closing their financing and starting principal photography, currently only applications can be accepted and considered that, in addition to all necessary application documents, fulfill in particular the following criteria: DFFF I:
- At least one binding letter of commitment (LOC) from a DFFF-eligible distributor must be available; a mere expression of interest (LOI; "we are interested", "intend to") will not be accepted as binding.
- The financing of the project is secured by at least 45% through binding evidence.
DFFF II:
- At least a preliminary contract (deal memo) for the commissioning as a service provider must be available.
GMPF:
- A contract for exploitation with a German media service provider must be available.
In addition, an application consultation with a funding officer must have taken place prior to application. An appointment can be requested by sending the financing plan and the planned start of principal photography by e-mail to dfff@ffa.de. Appointments are allocated in the order in which requests are received. Projects with incomplete application documents and projects without an application consultation cannot be considered. If the application consultation has already taken place, an application can be submitted directly if the further application criteria are met. Registration is required before submitting an application in the FFA service portal; access is activated within a few working days. Subject to the further budgetary procedure, a good EUR 200m will be available for approvals for 2027. This means that the funding framework remains significantly more robustly equipped than in past legislative periods. Projects planning to start principal photography at the end of 2026 and which have not yet submitted an application will presumably only be able to submit one for 2027; an early start of principal photography would not be possible in 2026. Application acceptance for projects starting principal photography in 2027 will take place from November 2026 at the earliest and will be announced in good time by the FFA. Current information is available on the FFA website: Information on DFFF I Information on DFFF II Information on GMPF