The Bundesrat has called on the Federal Government to reinstate the discontinued „Zukunftsprogramm Kino“ (ZPK) or to establish a comparable investment-based cinema support scheme at federal level. With the resolution adopted on 12 June, the federal states are sending a clear signal in support of the cinema industry and its economic future.

The initiative was jointly put forward by several federal states. The resolution notes that there remains a significant need for investment in cinemas – particularly in terms of structural and technical infrastructure, energy efficiency measures and accessibility. In the view of the federal states, the existing funding provided through the „Liebling Kino“ programme is not sufficient to meet these challenges. The federal government is therefore called upon to continue the former ‘Zukunftsprogramm Kino’ programme or to create a comparable funding instrument.

The Bundesrat initiative has received backing from a broad alliance within the film and cinema industry. In a joint statement issued shortly before the Bundesrat meeting, numerous associations and institutions expressed their support for the call for reliable funding for cinema investment. In addition to the cinema associations HDF KINO, AG Kino – Gilde and the Federal Association for Municipal Film Work, supporters also include producers’, distributors’, directors’ and screenwriters’ associations, as well as the German Film Academy and Vision Kino.

The associations point out that thriving cinemas are a key prerequisite for the commercial success and visibility of films. Strengthening the cinema sector would therefore benefit the entire value chain – from production and distribution, through festivals, to cultural film education.

In the alliance’s view, the reform of national film funding currently being planned can only be fully effective if cinemas – as key venues for film distribution and audience engagement – are strengthened in equal measure. The associations are therefore calling for additional funds to be made available for cinema investment support, without undermining other areas of funding within the film industry.

Since its introduction, the ‘Zukunftsprogramm Kino’ programme has been regarded as the most important investment support scheme for German cinemas. Among other things, it has provided funding for modernisation, technical upgrades, sustainability measures and improvements to accessibility. With the programme due to expire in 2025, the industry anticipates a significant funding gap, which, in its view, has not yet been addressed.

Following the Bundesrat’s decision, political pressure is now mounting on the Federal Government to implement, in the near future, the objective set out in the coalition agreement of providing reliable funding for cinema investment. In view of the forthcoming budget deliberations, the future of cinema funding is likely to return to the cultural and media policy agenda in the coming months.