Film finance will undergo a shift under Weimer's governance
In a significant move, Germany has announced plans to significantly increase funding for production incentive programs from 2026. The budgets are set to rise from €133 million annually to about €250 million, a move that reflects a broader escalation in cultural and media investments as part of a record federal budget approved for 2026.
The increased funding is part of a broader investment of €126.7 billion, with a substantial increase in government borrowing to support modernization across various sectors, including infrastructure and defense.
However, the future of the Zukunftsprogramm Kino, a national film funding program, remains uncertain. Although no explicit confirmation about its continuation or alteration from 2026 onward has been found, ongoing debates on reforming Germany's national film funding infrastructure suggest that the Zukunftsprogramm Kino might be affected or integrated into the new funding structures.
Culture State Minister Wolfram Weimer has planned changes to the financial aid for cinemas in Germany. Weimer aims to create an incentive to prominently feature German, European, and culturally demanding films. However, no specific information about the sums that will be available from 2026 has been provided.
Many cinemas in Germany are struggling with a decline in ticket sales and revenues. In 2024, under Weimer's predecessor, 157 cinemas received funding from the Zukunftsprogramm Kino, primarily supporting cinemas in smaller towns with investments.
The chairman of the Culture Committee in the Bundestag, Sven Lehmann, has requested information about funding figures and plans to support the approximately 1,700 cinemas nationwide. Lehmann has urged the culture state minister to make cinema funding a top priority, warning that a cinema death threatens in the coming years, which would have drastic consequences for the film location Germany and our cultural diversity.
A new reference funding with a cultural orientation has been designed, and the reform of federal film funding will also modernize cinema funding. The goal is to abolish double funding structures and build an efficient cinema funding system. According to a study, cinemas should invest 112 million euros annually for new projectors or screens. The Zukunftsprogramm Kino was last equipped with ten million euros.
As the end of 2025 approaches, it is recommended to check official announcements for any updates regarding the continuation or cessation of the Zukunftsprogramm Kino.
The proposed reform of federal film funding aims to increase investment in culturally demanding films, with the intention to create a more prominent space for German and European films in the business sector. The new funding structure might integrate the Zukunftsprogramm Kino, adding uncertainty to its future.
In line with the modernization of various sectors, the government has planned to allocate substantial funds to improve cinema infrastructure, with an estimated need for 112 million euros annually for new projectors or screens.
