City of Vienna invests in film: commitment to cinema culture, more money for film funding and expansion of the film location

The budget of the Vienna Film Fund 2024 was increased by two million euros

The Vienna Film Fund is one of the most central film funding bodies in Austria and an important contact point for filmmakers and the film industry when producing cinema and television films, developing projects and structural measures. The aim of the Vienna Film Fund is to support the striking diversity and quality of Austrian filmmaking. In addition, the goal of gender-equal use of funding set by the Film Fund’s board of trustees for the funding year 2024 was achieved this year: that is, 52.5 percent female and 47.5 percent male share in the allocation of funds for cinema film production.

Many of the measures taken to promote film are now showing their effects – for example in increasing film production numbers. In order to enable domestic film production to remain at a consistently high level and with the requirement of fair pay, the City of Vienna has increased the budget of the Vienna Film Fund by two million to 13.5 million euros. The future-oriented effect for the Viennese film industry is considerable, as every euro invested in funding triggers five times as much investment. In addition, the economic stimulus of film productions in Vienna is considerable.

The latest budget increase for the Vienna Film Fund consistently continues the City of Vienna’s strategies for strengthening and sustainable expansion as well as making the film location more attractive and stimulating the local film industry. In 2022, significant strategic steps were taken with the planning of the studios at the harbor, which will be completed in 2024 and establish a new production location.

“The city of Vienna has already contributed to the upswing of the Viennese film industry by setting the course. “It is of central importance for the success of filmmakers what framework conditions the city offers for production and artistic work,” says Vienna’s City Councilor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler. “It is therefore the goal of the City of Vienna to provide the best possible support. It is thanks to the outstanding work of the filmmakers that Austria receives great recognition abroad as a film country.”

Further increases in Vienna’s film and cinema funding

Further developing Vienna as a film location means supporting filmmaking along the production chain – from material development through film production and production to exploitation in festivals and in cinemas.

Arthouse cinemas present the spectrum of European film, offer a platform for short and experimental films, children’s and youth films as well as films in original versions and are partners for large and small film festivals. All of this makes the cinema landscape in Vienna exceptional in its diversity and represents a quality of life in which the numerous program and art house cinemas with their independent programs and unique locations play a significant role.

In order to make this cinema culture possible for future generations and to maintain arthouse cinemas as social spaces of togetherness, longing, but also enlightenment and social discourse, support is needed. In order to continue the passionate work in the cinemas of this city, Vienna’s cinema funding has been in place for more than 20 years: This was increased from 320,000 to 480,000 euros, an increase of 50 percent.

Further increases relate to funding for film festivals, for example. The previous budget of 1.1 million euros was increased to 1.3 million euros, also to enable fair pay in festival operations. The City of Vienna Culture’s film funding for small and medium-sized projects was also increased from 1.1 to 1.2 million euros. A plus that, like the work scholarships (216,000 euros), helps to improve the working conditions of those working in the film sector.

Press photo: https://presse.wien.gv.at/Presse/Bilder
Credit: Wien Film Fund

Inquiry note for media