Austrian Film Institute Imposes Application Stop for Productions

The background is ultimately the high demand for the ÖFI+ funding model. "The crux of the matter is that ÖFI+ is truly a success model," said ÖFI Director Roland Teichmann to the "Kurier". Thus, the applications have exceeded all forecasts.

Discussion About Domestic Film Funding

Accordingly, the ÖFI felt compelled to make a pre-emptive strike on the 2025 budget (which totals 37.5 million euros) to pledge the funding for 2024. However, the necessary coverage is now lacking to be able to accept further applications, Teichmann told the "Kurier".

"Since there is currently only a budget provisional for the year 2025, no applications for ÖFI+ are currently possible," it therefore says on the institution's homepage. In the Green-led Ministry of Culture, in view of the ongoing government negotiations between FPÖ and ÖVP and possible budget cuts, it was decided: "Therefore, the Ministry of Culture must handle the budget available within the framework of the provisional very carefully, because any additional expenses in one area could lead to painful cuts in other cultural areas."

"Alarm Signal" for Dumreicher-Ivanceanu

Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu, chairman of the Association of the Film and Music Industry in the Chamber of Commerce, spoke in a statement of an "alarm signal for the internationally successful film location". Planning security is of existential importance for the film industry: "I appeal to anchor the continuation of the successful film funding models FISAplus and ÖFI/ÖFI+ in the coalition agreement in the negotiations for the formation of a new federal government."

(APA/Red)

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