News

This year the funding of films in the capital region celebrates its 30^th anniversary and looks back on three successful decades. Both economically and artistically, this funding is a model for success:

• In the past three decades, 690 million euros of funding were made available, which made possible an expenditure of around 3 billion for shooting within the region! This resulted in positive trickle-down effects evident in the creation of highly qualified jobs. Image advertisement and tourism marketing were other positive subsidiary effects.

• Since its establishment in 1994, the 12 million budget for funding films has seen an almost three-fold increase. The regional effect has increased from 180 % to around 500 % - the film industry is a major economic factor for the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

• In terms of creativity, the production of films in the capital city region has been just as successful. Films from this region have been screened at countless festivals and many have gone on to win awards: 15 Oscars, seven Palmes d'Or, 20 Berlinale Bears and 296 Lolas. 

• Around 6,000 funded films and series, many with star-studded casts, have beamed the image of Berlin as a city of freedom worldwide onto both cinema screens and home TV sets. Films and series include GOOD BYE, LENIN!, THE LIVES OF OTHERS, HOMELAND, BRIDGE OF SPIES, BABYLON BERLIN and INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS.

• Thanks to its outstanding film professionals, the Berlin-Brandenburg region has steadily become the No. 1 film location in Germany and one of the most important on an international level, too, e.g. with JOHN “Keanu” WICK and THE HUNGER GAMES.

• The capital city region has the most diverse cinema landscape in Germany. An important cultural asset that must be preserved in the future as well. More cinemas have been opened than closed!

• The Film Commission BBFC has become the central office for granting filming permits. An average of 15 times a day, it’s “Action!” throughout all regions and districts. With 5,500 days of shooting, the capital city region remains above average in terms of film shooting.

• And this is good because: film production drives job creation, innovation, local advertising, and boosts tourism – (not only) in the last 30 years!

BAM! THE BRAND-NEW FILM ABOUT FILM LOCATION BERLIN-BRANDENBURG!

Kirsten Niehuus, CEO Film Funding, MBB: "30 years of collaboration in funding films in the Berlin-Brandenburg region! Big thanks to each and every person who has contributed to this success story! The fact that the capital city region has now become the most sought-after film region both in Germany and internationally is testament to the creativity of filmmakers here and the political and financial support given by both federal states. We look forward to new projects and have high hopes that the nationwide amendment of the framework will allow excellent films and series to continue to be produced here for all the years to come.”

Florian Graf, Head of the Berlin Senate Chancellery and Chairman of the MBB Supervisory Board: “I am so pleased that Berlin now appears so often on cinema or television screens, not only nationally, but also all around the world: Medienboard’s success is Berlin-Brandenburg’s success. 30 years of Medienboard indicates how Berlin can stand tall as the number one location for films in the whole of Germany and stay competitive against other film hubs. The guarantee of continued success lies in Medienboard’s hands. Yet, it is important to note that the international landscape is undergoing change und we, as the Federal Republic of Germany, and as a film location, react collectively and as one. Without a doubt there’s still a lot to do in this regard: we need creative ideas as well as commitment in cooperation with several federal states.”

FILM FUNDING 2023 OVERVIEW: 

• Out of MBB’s total funding budget of 47.4 million euros in 2023, 35 million was allocated to the funding of films.

• Approximately 10 million euros was earmarked for distribution, development, cinemas and events.

• Almost 25 million euros funded the production of films and series.

• This generated an over fivefold regional multiplier effect, resulting in 138 million euros of investment in the region.

• 5,500 shooting days for new films and high-end series, including DAS LICHT, TREASURE, KUNDSCHAFTER DES FRIEDENS 2, DIE ZWEIFLERS, SLØBORN 3, THE NEXT LEVEL, KRANK, CASH, HAMELN.

• 11.5 million viewers saw MBB-funded films in cinemas. That’s almost 70 % of the entire German market share (according to Comscore, which reported the sale of 16.7 million tickets).

• 2023 Top Charts: 3 million viewers and 5 films featuring in Germany’s cinema box office top ten were developed with the help of MBB’s funding, to name a few: JOHN WICK 4, THE HUNGER GAMES 5, SONNE UND BETON and WOCHENENDREBELLEN.

• 2.2 million euros worth to fund the diversity of unique cinema within the capital city region.

• The BBFC is now the central point of contact for granting filming permits.

• The funding totaling 6.3 million euros for digital film production is in high demand: consolidation of the fund has led to greater competition amongst VFX locations and companies.

2024, let's go: the first round of funding for new films and series has received 72 applications.  Cameras are rolling and rolling!

• WUNDERSCHÖNER by Karoline Herfurth (1 mio. euros)
• DER HELD DER FRIEDRICHSTRASSE by Wolfgang Becker (800,000 euros)
• DER MEDICUS 2 by Philipp Stölzl (700,000 euros)
• ALTER WEISSER MANN by Simon Verhoeven (400,000 euros)
• DIE HÄSCHENSCHULE 3 by Ute von Münchow-Pohl (350,000 euros)
• DER PRANK by Benjamin Heisenberg (350,000 euros)
• GELBE BRIEFE by Ilker Çatak (250,000 euros)
• KAMPF GEGEN DIE 'NDRANGHETA by Stefano Strocchi (240,000 euros)
• In the first funding session of the year, MBB supported 45 films and series with 6.9 million euros.

Festivals and Awards

• MBB @ Berlinale: 16 MBB-funded productions were invited to the Berlinale; 5 films in the competition: FROM HILDE, WITH LOVE, DYING, L’EMPIRE, MY FAVOURITE CAKE und ARCHITECTON.

• FOUR DAUGHTERS was nominated for an Oscar as Best Feature Documentary.

Future Issues and Challenges

• Diversity within cinema is an essential part of culture!

• To ensure this diversity, art house and cinemas need to be adequately supported. Because cinemas are for cinema!

• 2023 new minimum green standards: all funding for German films must align with a uniform set of ecological standards.

• Diversity is highly prioritized in the selection of which films to fund. The rule-of-thumb for MBB’s funding choices is “If the quality is the same, then the female director’s project is preferred.” Likewise, MBB supports workshops and trains staff, in addition to covering any costs on set associated with intimacy coordinators, harassment representatives and childcare.

• Protecting and upholding societal standards is a non-negotiable for funding.

Downloads

• Fact Sheet MBB Funding 2023
• Shooting Landscape Brandenburg 2023