German Film Industry Faces Historic Crisis as Production Declines

Rising costs, shrinking budgets, and stalled reforms threaten jobs and drive productions abroad, with 2025 outlook worsening.

A recent survey by the Production Alliance reveals that 77% of German film companies rate the current economic situation as 'bad' or 'very bad,' up from 56% the previous year.
Key challenges include escalating production costs, reduced budgets from clients, and a significant drop in commissioned projects since 2022.
The stalled reform of Germany's film funding law, initially proposed to include tax incentives and mandatory investments from streaming platforms, has further exacerbated the crisis.
If conditions remain unchanged, nearly 70% of surveyed companies plan to relocate productions abroad, potentially costing Germany's fiction sector alone €500 million annually.
Film students and industry professionals have issued urgent calls for political action, warning of severe job losses and a bleak future for Germany's cultural and creative landscape.