The Bundestag has passed the new Film Funding Act (FFG). With the votes of the former coalition parties SPD, Greens and FDP, the parliament passed the new FFG on Thursday evening in Berlin, which is intended to make the promotion of films simpler and more efficient. Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth spoke of an important success: "This parliamentary decision in favour of a new film funding law is excellent and important news for the film industry in Germany," explained the Green politician. "It significantly improves the framework conditions for filmmaking and strengthens creative work."
The law enables new German films and screenplays to continue to receive financial support from the German Federal Film Board (FFA) in 2025. The FFA expressly welcomed this step. "This represents the implementation of a central pillar of the film reform, which is urgently needed in the film industry," emphasised FFA board member Peter Dinges.
The new regulation forms the first building block of a comprehensive concept that aims to bring more German and international film productions to locations in Germany and better utilise traditional facilities such as Studio Babelsberg. The film industry generates billions in revenue and is estimated to employ around 120,000 people.
During the debate in the Bundestag, Roth emphasised that she would continue to work on further reform steps. She spoke in favour of a tax incentive model and a commitment to investment in order to drive forward the development of the industry. She also announced: "We will build a bridge for 2025." The German Film Fund and the German Motion Picture Fund are to be extended. In addition, the incentive funding will be raised to an internationally competitive level of 30 per cent from 1 February 2025.