The German federal government has reached an agreement with the parliamentary groups of the Union and the SPD on an investment pact for the film sector in Germany. Announced by cultural minister Wolfram Weimer on Thursday, the pact calls for a yearly investment commitment and economic film support of 250 million euros, with the goal of establishing Germany as an internationally competitive production hub.
The proposal blends voluntary investment pledges with a legally mandated baseline investment quota for streaming services and broadcasters, aiming to create economic space and secure new projects. An investment commitment with an opening clause ensures that streaming platforms and broadcasters contribute to the financing of German and European productions in proportion to their market power. Deviations from the statutory requirements are permitted when the investment quota reaches 12 percent or higher.
“We’re helping to strengthen Germany as a film location” Weimer said. “With the investment pact and film booster we finally set reliable, internationally competitive conditions”. By setting a statutory minimum investment framework that follows the European average of investment obligations and by providing a comprehensive opening clause for voluntary self‑commitments, the pact secures work for the German film industry without disrupting the business models of streamers and broadcasters.