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Request for Proposals: Minority Co-Production Funding Scheme

Deadline: 01-Apr-2026

The IDFA Bertha Fund Europe Minority Co-Production Scheme provides up to €40,000 to European producers participating as minority co-producers in international documentary projects from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. The program aims to strengthen global collaboration in documentary filmmaking, supporting creative documentaries in late production stages with clear timelines for completion by December 2027.

Program Overview

The IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) Europe Minority Co-Production scheme is designed to:

  • Encourage European producers to engage as minority co-producers in high-quality documentary projects.
  • Support documentaries created by filmmakers from countries with limited national co-production funding or low international co-production involvement.
  • Promote cross-border collaboration between at least two production countries, including one European MEDIA Sub-program country.
  • Fund projects at the production stage, ideally in late production, ensuring films are finalized by 1 December 2027.

Funding Details

  • Maximum Grant: €40,000 per project
  • Eligible Costs: Post-application costs only, including production, post-production, subtitling, mastering, screening copies, and auditing
  • Producer Fee: Limited to 7.5% of the grant
  • Overhead Costs: Maximum 10% of grant amount
  • Project Budget Cap: €600,000 (total for development, production, and post-production)
  • Mandatory Local Spending: At least 15% of IBF grant must be spent in a MEDIA Sub-program country

Eligibility Criteria

For Projects

  • Directed by a filmmaker with nationality from an IBF Europe Country List country
  • Preferably based in one of these eligible countries
  • Documentary must be primarily shot in an eligible country
  • Filmmakers in diaspora are eligible if the project is set and filmed in a listed country, and the director is not an owner/partner of the European co-producer

For Applicants (European Co-Producers)

  • Must be an audiovisual entity established in a MEDIA Sub-program country
  • Must demonstrate experience in film production or international co-production
  • Must hold a minority share of at least 20% in the project
  • Co-production must involve at least two countries, with the European partner as a minority producer

Co-Production Rules

  • Clear co-production structure required via agreement or memo-deal
  • Agreement must outline: financial participation, ownership rights, revenue sharing, budget, spending requirements, and treaty references
  • Cannot combine IBF Europe grant with similar Creative Europe funds (e.g., Berlinale WCF Europe, Torino Film Lab, IFFR Hubert Bals Fund+Europe)
  • At least 50% of total financing must be secured within six months after selection

Project Requirements

  • Creative documentaries of minimum 60 minutes
  • Detailed production timeline ensuring completion by 1 December 2027
  • Submission must include:
    • Project details, logline, synopsis, detailed description
    • Motivation statement
    • Director and producer biographies and filmographies
    • Distribution strategy and production schedule
    • Audiovisual material (3–20 minutes, Vimeo or YouTube with English subtitles)
  • Supporting documents:
    • Production budget and finance plan
    • Signed co-production agreement or memo-deal
    • Company registration extract

Application Process

  1. Submission by European Co-Producer only
  2. Deadline Options:
    • 1 April 2026
    • 15 January 2027
  3. Applications submitted by 23:59 in applicant’s time zone
  4. Selection Committee evaluates submissions within three months
  5. Maximum of 5–6 projects supported per funding round

Tips for Applicants

  • Ensure project timeline and budget clearly align with IBF Europe requirements
  • Verify eligibility of director and co-producer nationality
  • Prepare audiovisual material in advance with English subtitles if required
  • Submit a complete co-production agreement specifying all partner roles and shares
  • Avoid applying simultaneously to other overlapping Creative Europe co-production funds

FAQs

1. Who can apply as a co-producer?
European audiovisual entities established in MEDIA Sub-program countries, with experience in film or co-production.

2. What type of documentary is eligible?
Creative documentaries of at least 60 minutes at the production or late production stage.

3. How much funding is available?
Up to €40,000 per project.

4. Can filmmakers in diaspora apply?
Yes, if born in an eligible country and the project is set and filmed in an IBF Europe Country List country.

5. Are costs before application eligible?
No, only expenses incurred after the application date are eligible.

6. Is there a limit on co-producer shares?
European co-producer must hold 20–50% share, with all European co-producers combined not exceeding 70%.

7. When must the documentary be delivered?
Final delivery is required by 1 December 2027.

Conclusion

The IDFA Bertha Fund Europe Minority Co-Production Scheme provides a unique opportunity for European producers to engage in international documentary co-productions, fostering global collaboration and cross-border storytelling. With structured funding, clear eligibility rules, and robust co-production requirements, the program enables filmmakers and co-producers to deliver impactful, culturally diverse documentaries by the end of 2027.

For more information, visit IDFA Bertha Fund.