From 1 October 2025, the German Films Service + Marketing GmbH The company is responsible for a new funding programme that specifically supports German global distributors. The aim of this programme is to International visibility and competitiveness of German cinema productions be sustainably strengthened.

The programme, which is supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) with 250,000 euros is financed for the year 2025, closes a gap left by the new regulations in the Film Subsidies Act (FFG) has emerged. This is because there are no longer any funds earmarked for distribution companies - even though they play a crucial role in exporting German films abroad.

With the new model, German Films has opted for a combination of Basic funding and Reference funding. While the basic rate offers basic support, the reference support is based on the Foreign revenues and the Festival presence German cinema films. This is intended to benefit those companies that successfully place German films internationally.

Applications for funding can be once a year be submitted. Eligible to participate are sales companies that in 2024 have at least two predominantly German cinema productions - feature films, documentaries or animated films - in the portfolio. These films must be submitted to the 2024 European Film Market (EFM) have celebrated their market premiere or are currently being finalised.

Applications for the first funding round can be submitted from 1 October to 30 November 2025 can be submitted. Detailed information and application documents will be available from October on the website of German Films under the area World Sales Funding ready.

The aim of this initiative is to raise the profile of German film abroad - as a creative export and an important cultural ambassador on the international cinema scene.