Since the virtual reality resurgence, Germany has been among the top three European countries in terms of production support. With its highly regional dynamics, the country has “scaled up” its funding based on its experience in film and video games – like France, after all. A real economic fabric built around particularly creative studios and authors. In terms of distribution, the country is home to numerous events (in Leipzig, Munich… and finally Berlin!), with a strong development at the end of spring that is giving the country a new lease of life. And perhaps, soon, a major role for immersive cinema for the general public?
Cover: Urban Immersion Summit 📸 Paul Probst
We talked with Dr. Anna Sarah Vielhaber (Head of New Media Funding) and Pola Weiß (Funding Executive for XR and Innovative Audiovisual Content) for Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, and Max Permantier (Funding Executive Extended Realities (XR), Virtual Reality (VR), Production Web Series) for the FilmFernsehFonds Bayern.
Funding in Germany:
- Immersive @ Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (MBB)
- Virtual Reality @ FilmFernsehFonds Bayern (FFF Bayern)
- Innovative moving image content @ MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
- Games / Interactive Content @ Film- und Medienstiftung NRW
- Digitale Kultur / MFG Kreativ @ MFG Baden-Württemberg
- Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM)
- Nordmedia
- Hessen Film & Medien
A look at Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg’s activities
Dr. Anna Sarah Vielhaber – I’m head of the New Media Funding at Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (MBB), which may seem a bit of a vintage definition for this part of our funding. This includes TV series, video games and all “Innovative audiovisual content” formats. It’s a very open definition, because we need to be able to anticipate future developments in technology, and support projects that are technologically ahead of their time and/or have no real market. Obviously, we couldn’t foresee the breakthrough in XR, but we embraced digital experiences very early on, in our desire to support new narratives and new creators in innovative audiovisual fields. Our positioning is bearing fruit, because we have put our trust in innovative creators to bring these new formats into the light. And today we’re seeing the results.
Pola Weiß – In addition to monitoring the ecosystem, I help producers who want to submit their projects to our calls for projects – from financing to the end of production, to keep abreast of the latest innovations and production processes. The fund’s regulations continue to evolve in line with this burgeoning market, while retaining our own limitations. But I’m here to keep the discussion going around the projects submitted to us.
- FUNDING IMMERSIVE CONTENT / MBB is supporting the development and production of immersive and innovative content: virtual/augmented/mixed-reality experiences as well as multi-platform projects.
- CANADA GERMANY DIGITAL MEDIA INCENTIVE / MBB and Canada Media Fund are jointly funding German-Canadian co-developments and productions in terms of digital content. Projects eligible for submission: games, virtual/augmented/mixed-reality experiences, multi-platform projects and series.
- DIGI.TALE / MBB, Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF and DFFB are supporting narrative content of innovative and experimental nature. Students of the Film University as well as DFFB are eligible for application. Submission takes place via the universities.
- FESTIVALS / MBB supports the presentation of virtual reality and augmented reality experiences and comparable innovative audiovisual content at selected festivals.
Previous supported projects: BERLIN 2037 (Vincent Productions GmbH), AUFWIND (Volucap GmbH), EGON SCHIELE VR (Lupa Film GmbH), EMPEROR (Reynard Films GmbH), DARKENING (NowHere Media), KUSUNDA (NowHere Media, INVR.SPACE), CHOMSKY VS. CHOMSKY (schnellebuntebilder Huber-Pohle-Timpernagel GbR).
Next supported projects: DUCHAMPIANA VR (mYndstorm productions), LIVING WITH THE SNOW LEOPARDS and DARK ROOMS (NowHere Media), THE CAVE, DO-X, METAMORPHOSIS (INVR.SPACE GmbH), THE TOWERS OF FEBRUARY by Philipp Wenning, AN EMPTY SEAT (High Road Stories Heezen & Robbins GbR), RESONANZ (anotherworld GmbH).
Dr. Anna Sarah Vielhaber – Our overall budget for the New Media Funding is around 12 million, to finance content and events. It’s a global strategy to be able to support the presence of XR works at certain international events (Venice Immersive…), but also to be able to help national events. We work on both levels, as this is essential for us. On the content side, we help with development and production, at the rate of 5 commissions per year. The sums allocated are based on the quality of the project.
Pola Weiß – In 2023, we supported the industry for XR and other innovative formats to the tune of 2.5 million euros, this includes VR video games as well as other innovative audiovisual projects without XR. We have different regulations for each format, from video games to immersive works, with the latitude to support interactive works that don’t claim to belong to either format. Most of the projects that we received are clearly in the field of XR (VR, AR, MR). This question of formats is also under constant discussion with us and with producers. We don’t have funds directly allocated to the distribution of works, but we sometimes accompany them with the festival presentation grant. The XR industry is still looking for a distribution model, and we’re keeping a close eye on this point.
Pola Weiß – Artificial intelligence is a subject of the utmost importance, and one that needs to be studied with a critical eye. We make a distinction between AI used within the works as a production tool (and this is not a recent development), and AI that is directly generative and maybe even considered as a co-author. There has to be a real innovation to be able to finance it in the programme “Innovative Audiovisual Content”. For the moment, it’s case-by-case. What we are sure of is that XR, AI and even “spatial” creation are merging to offer a technological base capable of delivering new entertainment experiences for audiences, and new creative possibilities for teams. And that’s exciting.
Pola Weiß – I can see that the XR community is as passionate and collaborative as ever, and has been since the very beginning. That’s a very good thing! The producers and creators are still pioneers in these new forms of storytelling. In the Berlin-Brandenburg region, we come across a wide variety of players in the industry: video game studios, creators more linked to contemporary art, exhibition galleries, storytelling or narrative-driven XR experience… All this brings a strong expertise for XR that we’re happy to support.
Dr. Anna Sarah Vielhaber – Our focus is on building the local ecosystem, as the international market is still very fragmented. I’m happy to see that there isn’t yet fierce competition between regions, but that the XR industry is focused on experimentation and collaboration for the time being. That’s very positive, and if we can help, that’s the most important thing.
Pola Weiß – In this month of May and June, there are 3 important events for us: XR PORT BERLIN and its exhibition THE PORTAL during Re:Publica, Europe’s largest digital society festival, Urban Immersion Summit and a huge event with Meta, XR Creator Con, that will include a conference, networking and a hackathon. The new Berlinale team has just been appointed, and it’s a big festival we’re keeping a close eye on for possible immersive-related activities.
Bavaria, a hub of immersive creation thanks to FFF Bayern and XR Bavaria
Max Permantier – I administer the New Media funding system for a regional fund in Bavaria, the FFF Bayern. We finance film, television, video games and XR (since 2018). I work closely with my video game colleagues. We’re receiving more and more projects, and the start of 2024 is quite exceptional in terms of the number of submissions received. Coming from a traditional fiction background, I’m seeing some particularly exciting XR activity at the moment. The big difference here is that you can apply for separate funding depending on the type of project. Video games, web series or XR have separate commissions and deadlines. In 2021, we’ve decided to set up a fund dedicated to XR and immersive creation, with a dedicated commission to study applications. Project leaders are invited to come and present their projects to the committee. This is an essential element for us, helping to train creators and producers to be able to present their project – and consolidate their presentation for potential international funding.
Max Permantier – We can support prototypes, production, and experiments. We also support projects selected for international festivals – travel grants, at the request of producers. In the absence of a real existing market, it’s important for creations to be visible. It’s a real incentive, which is important to us!
Max Permantier – Our latest budget is around 600,000 euros, but this figure changes every year. It may depend on the number of projects received previously. Each year we evaluate the amount to be allocated to XR creation. Bavaria, and Munich in particular, is very welcoming to innovation and creativity. In this respect, the XR is a real subject. Munich is the cradle of the GAFAMs in Germany, with Apple and Meta, for example, having their national headquarters here. Obviously, Berlin is the country’s creative cradle, but there are existing bridges for certain companies that have offices in several cities (like Reynard Films, INVR.SPACE or mYndstorm productions). Of course, the company applying for funding must be based in our region. We’d be delighted to welcome more creative studios from the immersive sector, of course.
Next call for entries: 23rd September – 07th October 2024
Previous supported projects: WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE GRAND GETAWAY (Reynard Films, Agawang), EMPEROR (Reynard Films GmbH), SUBLIMATION VR (INVR.SPACE)
Next supported projects: DUCHAMPIANA VR (mYndstorm productions, Haar)
On the Event side
NEW! The Portal @ XR PORT BERLIN
XR PORT BERLIN is an exclusive B2B matchmaking event for hand-picked XR producers and studios from the capital region and international decision makers. In addition, THE PORTAL (as part of XR PORT BERLIN) did also showcase outstanding twelve XR works from Berlin-Brandenburg studios at re:publica 24 with our first edition of THE PORTAL. By Ionda, Astrid Kahmke.
NEW! Urban Immersion Summit (Berlin)
With the URBAN IMMERSION – Society, Art and History Re-experienced summit, we are exploring together how we can use digital and immersive media as well as artificial intelligence to understand new and old narratives of urban history, make them tangible – and ultimately shape them ourselves. By INVR.SPACE GmbH, Sönke Kirchhof, Ulrich Schrauth.
NEW! XR Creator Con (Berlin)
XR Creator Con brings together Europe’s top XR talents for idea sharing and inspiration. Forget dull networking sessions—think relaxed gatherings where you can connect with fellow professionals, explore exciting collaborations, and grow your network in a laid-back atmosphere. By XRCC, with Meta.
eCommemoration @ Körber-Stiftung (Hamburg)
Through the eCommemoration program, Körber-Stiftung creates a framework for a polyphonic and technically innovative practice of remembrance in which international historians, museum makers, digital pioneers, developers and creatives can discuss new perspectives on participatory remembrance. They invite everyone to explore history and memory with them – in video games, social media, extended reality and cross-media projects. XR-History Award this year goes to Loot. 10 Stories by Jongsma + O’Neill.
Places Festival (Gelsenkirchen)
For the fifth time in 2024, The Places Festival brings the latest extended reality technology to life – for everyone and free of charge! Whether you’re an XR expert, start-up, entrepreneur or simply interested in the latest developments in VR and AR: This year, the festival offers 10 days full of XR experiences throughout Gelsenkirchen.
B3 Biennial of the Moving Image (Frankfurt)
Since 2012, the B3 Festival of the Moving Image has been encouraging genre-spanning discussions about trends and developments in film, art, virtual reality and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.
DOK Neuland @ DOK Leipzig (Leipzig)
Founded in 1955, DOK Leipzig is the oldest documentary film festival in the world. It is held every autumn, offering a combination of documentary and animated film. During the week-long festival, we show about 250 short and long films and extended reality (XR) works. The extended reality exhibition DOK Neuland enriches its film programme with a range of immersive works. With the potential of new media such as virtual Reality, augmented Reality or 360° film, these projects question conventional narrative forms and open up new audio-visual experiences for the visitors. Supported by INVR.SPACE.
DOK.fest München (Munich)
Getting closer: virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) not only allow us to immerse ourselves in fictional worlds – they also open up new immersive approaches to documentary content. In 2024, DOK.fest München, in cooperation with XR HUB Bavaria and Munich creative business week, presented three current documentary VR experiences and an AR application at Ruffini Haus. We embark on a poetic journey into the Amazon rainforest, slip into the fur of dogs, take the perspective of a father with aphasia and explore the forest ecosystem – in aesthetically and narratively diverse forms of representation.
LICHTER Film Festival Frankfurt International (Frankfurt)
With the advance of digitalisation, moving images are increasingly moving into space, removing the boundaries between the film world and the audience and transporting them directly and immediately to other places. For film, this brings new possibilities of expression. The LICHTER VR Storytelling Award, launched in 2017, is dedicated to the numerous varieties of alternative realities.
Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival (Potsdam-Brandenburg)
The virtual reality section 360° explores the possibilities of visual storytelling in virtual space. The audience thus experiences a new cinematic environment that is not limited to the big screen. Immersive storytelling creates potential for new stories and poses challenges for filmmakers, making it particularly interesting for young filmmakers. Supported by INVR.SPACE (including 5000 Euro-Award for the best XR Project).
nextReality.Contest (Hamburg)
Since 2017, nextReality.Hamburg e.V. has been hosting the yearly nextReality.Contest. Every year, we ask innovative pioneers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to submit novel ideas, sustainable products and creative projects from the fields of augmented reality, mixed reality and virtual reality.
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