You can request up to 10,000 € for the full amount of costs needed for your project’s current stage of development. E.g. costs for script development, pitching, financing, development of a marketing and distribution-strategy etc.   

The development costs you can apply for may include: 

Applicants should aim to spend as much of the funding as possible in Ethiopia itself. However, not all costs during the development phase may be incurred in Ethiopia. Therefore, please indicate in the activity schedule which activities will take place in Ethiopia or other countries. Please also indicate in the budget, for each budget line, in which country the costs will be incurred. 

We ask you to apply in English. If you include documents with your application that are in another language, please include an English translation. 

If you are an Ethiopian citizen living outside of Ethiopia for more than three months per year, please contact DW Akademie before applying:
dw-akademie.film-fund@dw.com. Admission is then decided on a case-by-case basis.

The funding period is for one year and begins on the day the grant is awarded. From this date on you can charge costs that you have calculated in your application.  

However, the funds will be paid out only after a grant contract has been signed by both parties. Any disbursement of funds prior to the signing of the contract is at your own risk. 

Please go to: Information sheet. If you need additional support, please contact us: dw-akademie.film-fund@dw.com 

Please go to: Information sheet. If you need further support, please contact us: dw-akademie.film-fund@dw.com 

In order for us to provide a tailor–made and individualized training program, we need detailed information on the fields of work in which training would help you to best implement your project and enhance your professional skills. 

Every selected grantee will be matched with a mentor. The mentor will accompany the grantee throughout the entire funding period. The mentor will be selected based on the information provided in the application regarding training needs. 

We will also offer workshops for all grantees on topics relevant to all selected grantees, e.g. in the fields of financing, marketing, distribution or creative producing. 

Accounting can be very time-consuming depending on the complexity of the project and the grant amount you are requesting.  To ensure that the accounting is done in accordance with DW Akademie regulations, we may ask you to assign an accountant if your project is shortlisted. DW Akademie will also provide accounting trainings.  

No, a consultation with DW Akademie is not mandatory, but we highly recommend you take part in an online information event held shortly after the call for applications. The meeting will provide you with information on the application procedure and you will also be able to pose questions directly to DW Akademie. The meeting date will be announced on the website. 

With the proof of rights, the applicant shows ownership of the necessary rights to implement the project. The applicant declares he/she holds the intellectual property rights and, if applicable, has acquired the necessary rights to undertake the project. 

If your film includes elements that are based on, or in part based on, another original work (e.g. another film, book, song, etc.) you will need the necessary permissions or rights to undertake your project. Getting these legal clearances is an important part of your development process. Some examples:

You may also need additional clearance relating to archival videos, songs, locations, images and literature quotes.  

Yes, you can still apply if you do not yet have the aforementioned necessary permission or rights to undertake your project. DW Akademie will contact you if your project is shortlisted and you have not yet filed a proof of rights.

Yes, you can. The development of a marketing and/or distribution strategy can be part of the training and can be implemented during the grant period.  

We will send you a confirmation saying that we have received your application and that your submission is complete. Please do not contact our office to confirm your application.  

We will inform you if the jury has selected your project and let you know as soon as the decision has been made. Please note that this will be approximately two months after the application deadline has expired.