But things are evolving as traditional TV commitments are less potent.
Germanys box office dipped by 6.5% year-on-year in 2024, the most of all major European territories.
We were talking about a three-legged system that were trying to build here to grow the industry.
Benita Sarah BaileyPhanie Étier
Wed been talking to them for two years, Association board member Benita Sarah Bailey says.
We went to the Bundestag and spoke with MPs and the Cultural Ministry.
We made proposals and shaped the law.
It was going great.
Better than we expected.
So basically, they traded us in.
It cant be changed in that time, no matter who takes power.
Thats why it was so important for us.
The issue of time and the forthcoming election is a worry for many German industry members.
She adds: The German funding system is so complicated, and we need a simpler system.
Additionally, Germanys overall funding pot remains the same at $375M.
The support is more automatic, and the grant has been increased and optimized, he says.
The old model is still there, and it works, he says.
The fact there is no tax credit doesnt mean there are no incentives.
The government has managed to increase the existing model until we get a tax credit in place.
German Films Managing Director Simone Baumann agrees.
Its a much more automatic system now, which is good news and there is more money for development.
Theyre prolonging the system we had in place before the DFFF and GMPF, he says.
The Mickey Mouse streamer has also committed to acquiring a minimum of 70 feature films over the three-year period.
Discussing the investment obligation, one prominent local producer told us it is really a question of perspective.
This, he says, may result in local productions moving out of Germany.
If they dont have the fiscal ability, how will they finance a movie?
Its not going to work.
Lets hope theyre coming back soon and we can work side by side.
Rental services, VFX and post-production houses equally all rely on international business coming in.
This would really set the industry back because there would be a lot less international finance coming in.
I expect it to be easier to retain rights than ask for a share in profits, he says.
To me, this would mean a cultural shift.
It would give another perspective.
