Stipendium Stoffentwicklung (story development stipend, Talentfilm)

The money

Amount

Up to €25,000Up to EUR 25,000 as an interest-free loan repaid only when shooting starts or the rights are sold, with the duty lapsing five years after the work ends. No own contribution. A follow-on rewrite stage (Aufbauförderung) pays up to EUR 12,000.

What it is

RepayableA loan, an advance on receipts or a conditionally repayable grant: it is paid back only out of what the film earns.

To apply

FreeThe foundation keeps a handling fee of 2 percent of the sum when it pays out; the page names no fee to apply.

Who can apply

Applicant

A writer alone

Where you write

In Germany

Rules

Writers, alone or as a collective, whose project is their first or second as a writer, with their center of life in Germany, not enrolled as students. Original ideas only, no adaptations; the project may not have other public money yet. German-language feature-length cinema films and series of various lengths.

Stages

Writing

Formats

Feature, Series, Documentary, Animation

Language of the application

German

When to apply

The fund works in fixed rounds. The next dates are not yet published; we add them when they are. The board announces each application window on its website; none was listed on November 1, 2026.

What it gives besides money

A dramaturg assigned by the foundation works with you through the ten months, plus optional seminars and workshops.