The two-day online seminar deals with economic, organisational and administrative aspects of film productions and works practically on your project.
with Claus Herzog-Reichel & Mario von Grumbkow
Dates: Sat, 14.06. – Sun, 15.06.2025
Registration deadline: Sun, 01.06.2025
Target group: Beginners
Sustainable success can be achieved when creativity, structure and profitability intertwine. This is a particular challenge for no- and low-budget projects, but also increasingly for higher-budget films due to the demanding financing structures. All the more reason to follow the rule: planning is everything!
The Film Financing & Calculation seminar covers everything from the initial idea for a film project to the creation of a financing plan and calculation, the application to funding institutions and the final invoice. Seminar leaders Claus Herzog-Reichel and Mario von Grumbkow show how the various elements of a film project interact and affect financing and costing.
On the second day of the seminar, the participants’ plans form the core of the seminar. Possible financing and costing, pitfalls and open questions can be discussed in detail. Practical assistance and extensive insights into the documentary film production LIEBE, D-MARK UND TOD by filmfaust GmbH will give participants an overview of the complex funding structures and show how it is possible to realise a film project with simple means.
It is aimed at anyone involved in the financing and organisation of film projects, whether for a low-budget short film, an ambitious documentary film project or a classically financed feature film, regardless of budget and experience.
The seminar covers the following aspects:
- funding landscape at federal, state and municipal level, as well as at European level.
- Cooperation with TV broadcasters, distribution companies, investors and streamers
- Analysing a project/idea/screenplay with a view to financial aspects
- Preparation of a calculation and a financing plan
- Financing with the help of provisions, reserves and own funds
- Social security issues and pitfalls (social security contributions, employment, artists’ social security fund)
- Revenues, cash flow and profit realisation
- In addition, with a view to the participants’ plans:
- Role clarification – What tasks can and must I take on in my project?
- Positioning as an entrepreneur – What is my vision, what questions do I need to ask myself and how do I need to position myself?
- Project coaching – What are the important questions and pitfalls in my project?
- Concrete assistance, tools, tips and contacts
To register, we ask for a half-page text with expectations and questions for the seminar as well as a brief presentation of a current or planned film project so that the lecturers can adapt and prepare for the seminar group. The project can be of any size and initial ideas that are still in their infancy are also welcome.
The content of the seminar is largely based on the needs of the participants.
Claus Herzog-Reichel works as a producer in Cologne. After spending extended periods in South America, attending a clown school and graduating in history and social sciences, he worked in production management for international cinema film projects. In 2014, he completed the documentary film masterclass at the Filmwerkstatt Münster. In 2019, he won the First Feature Award for his feature film debut as a producer at the 69th Berlinale for ORAY by Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay. In 2020, he was nominated as a producer for the German Short Film Award for BERZAH by Deren Ercenk. Since 2020, together with Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay, he has been managing partner of filmfaust GmbH and producer with an international focus. In 2022, he won the Panorama Audience Award at the 72nd Berlinale for the feature-length documentary LIEBE, D-MARK UND TOD by Cem Kaya and was nominated for the German Film Award in 2023. In 2024, the short film by Kim Lea Sakkal was invited to the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes and in 2025 he presented HYSTERIA by Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay in the Panorama and SIRENS CALL by Miri Ian Gossing and Lina Sieckmann in the Forum of the 75th Berlinale. Claus Herzog-Reichel is a member of Filmbüro NW, the German Film Academy and an alumnus of the Mediengründerzentrum NRW.
Mario von Grumbkow has been working as a production manager for filmfaust GmbH since 2020 and is responsible for the calculation, financing and realisation of projects, most recently for the documentary SIRENS CALL by Miri Ian Gossing and Lina Sieckmann and LIEBE, D-MARK UND TOD by Cem Kaya, as well as for the feature film HYSTERIA by Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay. Mario von Grumbkow is an alumnus of the Mediengründerzentrum NRW and is constantly dealing with the discrepancy between creative demands and financial possibilities, both as a creative producer and author of his own material and, in particular, as a production manager.
Dates: Sat, 14.06. – Sun, 15.06.2025
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Registration deadline: Sun, 01.06.2025
Costs: € 240.00 / € 200.00 Further information on funding opportunities can be found here
Number: min. 6 persons / max. 12 persons
Language: German
Location: Online via Zoom