More budget, more formats, more sustainable and more colourful

Dr Carsten BrosdaSenator for Culture and Media of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg: "Thanks to outstanding talent and a good and creative local environment, film in the north has been able to celebrate many successes in recent years. We are now expanding these good framework conditions in dialogue with the industry in line with demand. The adjustment of the guidelines for film funding is an important signal for the future of film in the North and also fulfils social responsibility by taking into account issues of diversity and sustainability in the decision-making processes. In order to strengthen the film location in the long term, we are expanding the funding spectrum to include series funding and the development of innovative formats, among other things. With the Warner cooperation, the FFHSH is also focussing on promoting young talent."

Karin PrienMinister for Education, Science and Culture of Schleswig-Holstein: "I am delighted about the upcoming, even closer cooperation between the film industry in the north. With this reorientation, the joint film funding programme is making a name for itself as an innovative funding instrument. It is good that the FFHSH is open to new formats and developments and has a clear structure in terms of the organisation of its committees. This also includes the avoidance of duplicate structures. This is good and helpful for the film scene and strengthens the arts in the north."

Helge AlbersCEO of Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein: "We want to think film funding forwards. With these innovations, we will be able to act faster, smarter and more sustainably in the future. Our two locations Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein are also growing closer together: For the first time, there is a joint guideline for both locations. The Green Shooting Card - which has been in place since 2012 - is also getting a makeover: by developing it into the Green Filming Badge, we are setting new, binding standards for sustainable film production. And with the 'Diversity Checklist', we want to ensure more diversity in the film business - both in front of and behind the camera."

The new features at a glance:

Sustainable and diverse

The Green Shooting Card will become the Green Filming Badge: in future, the further development will not only take into account filming, but also the entire value chain - from development to distribution. The productions thus contribute to making production processes more ecological and reducing the CO2 footprint. The Green Filming Badge will be mandatory for productions that are primarily financed in Germany and are shot in Germany.

In future, the FFHSH will pay even more attention to diversity in front of and behind the camera when assessing funding projects. To this end, a diversity checklist will be introduced as an application requirement from April.

Series promotion

From April, it will be possible to apply for series funding. An additional two million euros in funding will be available for this purpose in 2020. The main focus will be on the development of high-end series that are firmly anchored in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.

Fundings for innovative formats

From VR experiences and web series to 360-degree films, innovative formats can also be funded by the FFHSH in future. A new Committee consisting of proven experts in innovative audiovisual formats will be set up for the new funding area.

New committee structure

The new Committee 1 provides funding for films and series with production costs of over 3.5 million euros and cinema documentaries with production costs of over 1.5 million euros. Committee 2 applies analogously to films and series with production costs of less than 3.5 million euros and cinema documentaries with production costs of less than 1.5 million euros. Applications for the funding of short films and innovative audiovisual content are now being submitted to Committee 3 in Kiel.

An additional million will be provided by Hamburg-based Warner Bros. for script and production funding in Committee 4. Projects with a special significance for the region in terms of content and culture will be supported. At least 25 per cent of the sum will also be awarded to newcomer projects in order to strengthen talent development in the region.

Kiel becomes a centre of innovation

From April, applications for short films and innovative audiovisual formats from Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein will be handled by Filmwerkstatt Kiel. For feature-length films, the entire application process will take place in Hamburg. The Filmwerkstatt will also be focussing on further education with workshops, panels and lectures.

Submit applications - more often and faster

In future, filmmakers will be able to apply for Fundings a total of 16 times a year - each of the four Committees has four submission deadlines. Streamlined and simpler forms will also make it possible to submit applications more quickly. In future, the Committees will be able to contact applicants via video conference during the meeting if they have any questions.

More money for development and publishing

In order to give Executive Producers more room to develop their material, the FFHSH will allocate at least ten percent of its budget to "development" and expand the range of eligible costs. The same amount will be reserved for the release of the subsidised films.

Information events

At the "Meet & Mingle - Let's fund things forward", FFHSH CEO Helge Albers will present the new guidelines of Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein in conversation with presenter Maike Mia Höhne.

Meet & Mingle Hamburg Wednesday, 12 February 2020, 17:00, at the Altonaer Museum, Museumstraße 23, 22765 Hamburg, Galionsfigurensaal,Go to registration

Meet & Mingle Kiel Thursday, 13.02.2020, 17:00, at the Filmwerkstatt Kiel, Dänische Straße 15, 24103 Kiel,Go to registration