WCF Classic

In 2004 the WCF started as an initiative of the German Federal Cultural Foundation in cooperation with the Berlin International Film Festival, with the goal of creating a unique funding structure based on an efficient production and cooperation model. The WCF Classic programme represents the initiative's core. Throughout this programme the WCF has helped to give shape and visibility to largely unseen cinema – by supporting film production in the WCF focus regions and countries. 

Two submission processes take place each year.

• Maximum funding: 60,000 Euros per project and 40,000 Euros for post-production funding.
• The total production costs of the supported projects should range between 200,000 Euros and 1,400,000 Euros.
• The funding must be spent on the production of the film in the WCF-supported regions (554 KB).
• The German partner is the administrative partner and recipient of the WCF Classic funding.

• Film production companies from WCF-supported regions (554 KB) that can confirm their collaboration with a director from the WCF supported regions/countries, or
• Registered film production companies based in Germany (in the commercial register or registered trade) working with a director from a WCF country, or
• Registered film production companies (in the commercial register or registered trade) from other EU member states, provided they have a branch or place of business in Germany and can prove they are working with a director from a WCF country.

A link to the submission portal will be available on this website between four to six weeks prior to the deadline.

The following documents must be uploaded via the online submission portal (in English):

• Script or treatment (in the case of a documentary project) / Link to the rough cut if applying for post-production support
• Financing plan in Euros and in local currency (if available), including type of financing (funds, own investment, in-kind contributions, Sales/MG, etc.), shares (in percentage) of the respective partners, and a breakdown of secured and pending amounts (incl. expected decisions, if available)
• Budget (detailed): in Euros and local currency (if available).
• Application dossier including Synopsis, Director´s Note, Director´s Visual Concept, Producer´s Note, Distribution and Audience Building Strategy, detailed profiles of all production companies involved in the project
• Contracts and Agreements including signed Co-Production Agreements or Deal Memos, Financing Agreements and/or LOIs from already confirmed financing partners
• Clearance of all Rights proving the transfers of rights from scriptwriter(s) / author(s) to producer(s). Producer(s) must be entitled to use the script for a film project
• Moodbook, Visuals or Artistic Dossier

Funding is granted to cooperations between German production companies and filmmakers in WCF eligible regions/countries.

The producer from a WCF region/country can submit a project without having a German partner at the time of application. However, once the WCF jury recommends a project for funding, the producer is then required to attach a German partner. The WCF often serves as a bridge between international producers and German companies and can assist in finding a suitable partner.

The German partner is responsible for signing the funding agreement with the WCF and is the formal recipient of the WCF support. They also assume liability towards the WCF for the funded project.

For the final accounting, the German partner must provide an expenditure report confirming that the WCF funding amount (minus possible overheads of up to 7.5 percent for the German partner) was exclusively used for the production of the film in a WCF region/country.