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"Peacock" by Bernhard Wenger (2024; Austria, Germany)

Austrian Film Institute

The Austrian Film Institute (ÖFI) is the national lead funding body that supports the production, distribution and promotion of national cinema films and co-productions. It plays a pivotal role in nurturing the Austrian film industry through both selective and automatic funding (reference funding and ÖFI+) mechanisms, ensuring that a wide range of genres receive the necessary backing.

As a legal entity under public law based in Vienna, the Austrian Film Institute (ÖFI) has an annual budget of 21 million euros for selective funding in 2023 and released 15,5 million for its newly established location incentive automatic scheme ÖFI+. 
The Institute actively promotes green producing, cultural diversity, and gender equality, and elevates the international profile of Austrian cinema through strategic partnerships like participation in global festivals. Its funding programs are designed to support both established filmmakers and emerging talent, ensuring the growth and sustainability of the national film landscape.
The Institute created an elaborated incentive system for green producing and to enhance gender balance.

The goal of film funding is to support the of Austrian films and co-productions that appeal to a wide audience both domestically and internationally and receive artistic recognition at international festivals. Additionally, the Film Institute promotes the economic efficiency, independence, and cultural identity of Austrian cinema.

Austrian films currently travelling to international festivals include The Devil’s Bath by Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz, awarded at Berlinale and Academy-qualified; Peacock by Bernhard Wenger, and  Shahed / The Witness by Nader Saeivar, both Venice awarded; Locarno winner Moon by Kurdwin Ayub, and The Village Next to Paradise by Mo Harawe, selected at Cannes.

Latest developments at the Austrian Film Institute:

  • 2023: introduction of “ÖFI+”:  automatic location incentive funding for feature-length films, including green bonus and gender gap financing incentives (for production and distribution)
  • 2024: launch of Talent LAB, new funding and training scheme for emerging filmmakers
  • 2024: release of gender report in film for Austria
  • 2025: launch of new inclusion check for filmmakers
  • 2025: release of first national green report in cinema

Österreichisches Filminstitut

  • Stiftgasse 6, 1070 Wien
  • email hidden; JavaScript is required
  • +34 458 45 58
  • https://filminstitut.at/en
  • person

    Number of inhabitants

    9,120,813 (2024)

  • euro

    Budget in 2023

    36,5M€

  • local_movies

    Number of projects supported in 2023

    187

Sustainability - EFAD Members’ Initiatives

In recent years, Green Filming and Distribution of Film has become firmly established and now plays a central role in funding strategies both in national Austrian production and co-productions, emphasizing sustainability and the reduction of CO2 emissions.

The Film Funding Act and specific funding guidelines provide a solid legal foundation for the promotion and implementation of ecologically sustainable production practices. This approach aligns with national and European climate protection goals, ensuring that films supported by the Austrian Film Institute meet contemporary quality standards while contributing meaningfully to environmental sustainability.

To further encourage sustainable practices, the Austrian Film Institute has introduced the ÖFI+ Green Bonus of 5% and has already implemented key criteria for Green Filming. As part of this initiative, a Criteria Catalogue of Ecological Minimum Standards for Austrian Cinema Film Productions (ÖFI/ÖFI+) has been developed. This catalogue is based on the established criteria and measures outlined in the Austrian Ecolabel Guideline UZ76, ‘Green Producing in Film and Television’, and the “Ecological Standards for German Cinema, TV, and Online/VOD Productions”, which were created in collaboration with the film industry and finds solutions for co-productions and international harmonization.

 

NEWEST DEVELOPMENTS SET TO LAUNCH IN 2025:

- catalogue of target criterias for Animation films 

- publication of first green filming report

 

INTIATIVES AND IMPLEMENTATIONS IN AUSTRIA

1) Green Bonus / Incentive Model für Production and Distribution

- In line with the Austrian Film Funding Act, the Austrian Film Institute has introduced a 5% Green Bonus and mandatory funding regulations for Green Filming to encourage sustainable practices in national productions and co-productions.

- The Austrian Film Institute has developed a Catalogue of Criteria for Ecological Minimum Standards (ÖFI/ÖFI+), which includes both mandatory (MUST) and aspirational (TARGET) criteria. This catalogue applies to feature films and documentaries, with an additional catalogue specifically for animation films set to launch in 2025.

- A separate Catalogue of Criteria for Austrian Exploitation Funding (ÖFI+), focusing on cinema releases, has also been implemented.

 

2) Education and Consulting
Costs related to Green Filming and the involvement of Green Film Consultants are eligible for funding. This funding system is designed to facilitate harmonization and cooperation both nationally and transnationally.

In collaboration with the Evergreen Prisma Competence Center for Green Filming—which encompasses a Digital Platform, a Green Filming Academy, and a Joint Network—the Austrian Film Institute has developed the Synergy Model of Green Filming Austria. Evergreen Prisma Academy also offers specialized training programs for Green Film Consultants.

(- The adoption of the Austrian Eco Label certification promotes sustainable practices in film production.)

 

3) Working Groups and Networking

The Austrian Film Institute leads the Working Group Green Filming Austria, including 12 stakeholders from government bodies, public institutions, and national organizations. Participants include ministries, Austrian national and regional film funds, broadcasters, the Austrian Eco Label, industry representatives, and the Association of Green Film Consultants Austria (VGFCA). The working group’s goal is to coordinate and harmonize sustainable media production practices across Austria.

As a member of Green Co/Pro Europe, a transnational working group established by Evergreen Prisma in April 2022, the Austrian Film Institute collaborates with countries that have already implemented green measures. The group’s mission is to develop hands-on solutions for sustainable film production, aligned with federal film laws and funding regulations.

Members of Green Co/Pro Europe are working to harmonize funding regulations and reporting standards for sustainable film production. They aim to achieve mutual recognition and alignment of critical instruments, including Green Film Consultants, CO2eq calculators (such as klimAktiv: Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland), and catalogues of criteria.

 

4) Creating Green Department at Austrian Film Institute
In 2023 the Institute has established a Green Filming Department overseeing and developing new measurements, headed by Nina Hauser & Christian Ruthner (contact: email hidden; JavaScript is required)

Gender & Inclusion - EFAD Members' National Reports & Studies