Pressure is mounting on the Federal Government to pass the MedienInvestVG without delay. After the final debate on the draft bill in the Bundestag Committee on Culture and Media was removed from the agenda at short notice in early November, the student representatives of seven German film schools have now issued a joint appeal to politicians. They are calling for the bill to be passed without further delays or any watering down of its provisions.

Under the heading „A boost rather than a delay: MedienInvestVG NOW!“, the students are addressing the members of the Culture Committee, as well as Wolfram Weimer, Minister of State for Culture; Lars Klingbeil, Minister of Finance; and Katherina Reiche, Minister for Economic Affairs. The initiative is supported by the governing bodies of the University of Television and Film Munich, the Film Academy Baden-Württemberg, the KONRAD WOLF Film University Babelsberg, the German Film and Television Academy Berlin, the International Film School Cologne, the Cologne University of the Arts for Media and the Hamburg Media School.

The students also believe that the delay is jeopardising the career prospects of the next generation of professionals in the sector. Without a reliable regulatory framework, it is virtually impossible to build a long-term career in Germany as a production hub. They are therefore calling for the bill to be referred back to the Culture Committee and for the compromise negotiated in February 2026 to be implemented without any further exceptions or watering down. It must be ensured that the legislation comes into force on 1 January 2027.

The appeal is in line with the demands of the established film industry. Back in early November, 30 industry associations and institutions had called for the swift passing of the bill in a joint urgent appeal. They, too, regard the investment obligation as a key prerequisite for fair market conditions and a competitive production location. It remains unclear when parliamentary deliberations will resume.