Bye bye script funding, hello NEST

NEST is replacing the traditional funding of scripts and treatments as well as innovative concepts and ideas. Ideas for cinema documentaries, feature and animated films, high-end series and innovative formats such as XR or 360 degrees can now be submitted to the new portal.

Why the NEST?
Really good films, series and innovative formats require sufficient time, creative exchange and the right financial support. With the new development funding programme, MOIN Film Fund is taking up a large number of industry discussions and responding to the current challenges in the cinema and series market. In future, projects are to be funded more flexibly, more individually and much earlier in the NEST programme.

Helge Albers, CEO of MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein: "We have adapted our structures to give North German film more room to develop. Previously, our funding programmes in the development sector were not flexible enough for this. In NEST, there is more financial support for filmmakers and a larger playing field for the stories. This will enable us to better do justice to the ambition and courage of Script Writers and creators."

Stories grow in the NEST Space
In addition to basic funding totalling 7,500 euros, Script Writers and creators can apply to take part in the NEST Space. This is a five-day "collaborative thinking space" organised several times a year in Schleswig-Holstein by the European film initiative Le Groupe Ouest (responsible for the "Less is More" script workshop, among other things).

A short project description is sufficient to apply for NEST funding - the funding is no longer tied to the "written word" in the form of treatments or script outlines. Script Writers and creators of feature and animated films, cinema documentaries, high-end series and innovative formats such as XR or 360 degrees can apply.

Helge Albers continues: "In a world that is increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, we need to protect and develop our creative skills and processes. Instead of artificial intelligence, we are enabling more creative intelligence with NEST Spaces."

Customised Fundings with the NEST Tools
After participating in the NEST Space, filmmakers define their individual NEST tools in dialogue with MOIN Film Fund. The tools include various support measures - from the first and second draft of the script, audience development and advice on topics such as AI, green storytelling, sensitivity readings, readings and test shoots.

Script Writers, Creators and Executive Producers who have taken part in NEST Space can receive up to 100,000 euros in funding for their feature film idea. Support of up to 50,000 euros is available for cinema documentaries and innovative formats, while high-end series can be funded with up to 150,000 euros.

"Rising production costs and tight markets are making production work more difficult and increasing the pressure on production funding. Developing projects competitively will become even more important in the future. With the more than 200 customised NEST tools currently available, we want to address the needs of the industry in a targeted manner and also mitigate production risks," addsHelge Albers.

From the Committees to the community
In the first year of NEST, the members of the existing MOIN Committees will decide on the applications submitted. From 2025, the NEST community itself will take on this job: A Committee selected from the participants of the existing NEST Spaces will then decide on the allocation of funding. There will also soon be an online platform with additional networking opportunities for the NEST Community.

Helge Albers explains: "Hamburg's film funding programme was established over 40 years ago because it was the wish and concern of the industry. We are proud of this moment of empowerment. By handing NEST funding back to the community, we are finding a contemporary way to carry this legacy into the future."

NEST information event and livestream
On Wednesday, 17 January 2024, 5:30 pm, a NEST information event with livestream will take place at Studio Kino in Kiel. In attendance: MOIN CEO Helge Albers, Head of Location Nicola Jones and Head of Funding Katrin Mersmann in conversation with Executive Producer Andrea Schütte (Tamtam Film). Interested parties canhere to the event in Kiel andhere to the livestream log in.

All information about NEST and the new application process is available online atwww.moin-filmfoerderung.de/nest

New NEST and new website
Together with the NEST, the MOIN Film Fund website has also been updated: The familiar addressmoin-filmfoerderung.de now has a new look with fewer barriers and a simpler menu structure. This was realisedNEST portal and the new website from the Hamburg digital agencynever final. The corporate design comes fromHansen/2