Situated in the North of Germany, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg features Europe's second-largest container port, making it one of the world’s most significant international harbours and commercial metropolises. 1.75 million inhabitants live in the 755 square kilometre city-state by the river Elbe, making Hamburg the second largest city in Germany, after Berlin. Schleswig-Holstein, the state between the seas: the most northern federal state lies between the North- and the Baltic Seas, bordering on Denmark in the North, on the states of Hamburg and Lower Saxony in the South and on Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the South-East. Schleswig-Holstein features long beaches, magnificent manor houses and extensive meadows and pastures. Measuring 15,761 square kilometres and counting a population of 2.8 million people, it is one of Germany’s smallest territorial states.
funding
Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein (FFHSH) supports cinema films and exceptional TV productions of all genres. Film projects are sponsored from the first draft of a screenplay through production to distribution and sales and festival presentation. Deciding criteria for financial support include the quality of content and an extensive reference to Hamburg or Schleswig-Holstein. The latter include making use of the region as shooting location as well as employing local film professionals and film-technical businesses.
The partners behind Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein are the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein. Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein has c. 11 m euros p.a. at its disposal for the funding of projects. 9.5 m euros are means issued by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the TV broadcasting companies NDR and ZDF each supply 750,000 euros (2010: 1 m euros), and a further 2.1 m euros for the funding of films are taken from a contingent of radio license fees as determined by the Legislature. This sum includes and 300,000 euros for Filmwerkstatt Kiel, as well as 450,000 euros for NDR commissions and co-productions, continued to be granted in accordance with former MSH regulations to strengthen Schleswig-Holstein as a film and TV location.
The Film Commission Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein has offices in Kiel and Hamburg and advises producers from Germany or abroad on all issues concerning shooting in the northern region. It further helps in seeking out motifs, communicates contacts to industry professionals, the authorities and services providers and eases shooting conditions by means of an extensive supply of services on location. Also a part of Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, Filmwerkstatt Kiel strengthens the creative scene of Schleswig-Holstein by providing technological equipment, supporting regional young talent and financing festivals. Furthermore, Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein keeps up with current developments on the cinema and TV markets and hosts numerous events and seminars on industry-specific topics such as financing, legal issues or digitalization, offering orientation and concrete help to producers and filmmakers. FFHSH also boasts a broad international network, helping filmmakers to make contact with international and national producers. Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein GmbH is a partner of Filmfest Hamburg GmbH as well as MEDIA Desk Deutschland GmbH.
