What is FISA+?

This model promotes three areas:

• International Service Productions in Cinema, TV & Streaming (FISA+)
• Austrian TV and Streaming Productions (FISA+; TV in coordination with RTR)
• Austrian Cinema Films (ÖFI+)

FISA+ is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economy and is financed by the Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws).

For all three areas, the following applies:

Maximum funding per project:

• For a film or a single series episode: €5 million
• For a series or season: €7.5 million

Minimum expenditures that must be made in Austria:

• Fiction: €150,000
• Documentation: €80,000

The funding is provided as a non-repayable grant and amounts to up to 30 percent of the eligible production costs. The funding can be increased by 5 percent with the green bonus and by €25,000 through Gender Gap Financing.

International Films, Series (Episodes) and Production Parts

International films, series, and episodes can be funded if they are wholly or partly realized in Austria. This means the value creation is achieved in Austria, but the requirements for obtaining certification as an Austrian film or series are not met. Funding for international productions can generally be combined with funding from other institutions, but not with federal funds.

Additional minimum expenditures in Austria beyond the points mentioned above:

• Animation, VFX, Music, Post-production: €25,000

More information about international films, series and production parts

Austrian Films, Series and Episodes

Austrian films, series, and episodes not commissioned by media service providers can be funded in the streaming and TV sectors. This includes fictional and documentary formats as well as virtual reality formats. They must meet the requirements to obtain certification as an Austrian film or series.

Funding for Austrian films, series, and episodes can be combined with funding from other institutions or regional authorities. The total amount of aid for a project must not exceed the maximum aid limits according to AGVO Article 54. Combining with federal funds is excluded, except for films, series, and episodes within the excellence bonus.

More information about Austrian film, series and episodes

Austrian Cinema Films

The production of Austrian cinema films is funded through ÖFI+. Eligible applicants are companies based in Austria or with a business location within the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. A value-added bonus can be obtained with this funding.

Requirements for applying for ÖFI+:

• Selective funding commitment from the Austrian Film Institute or another federal or state funding body, or
• Reference funds from ÖFI of at least €100,000 for feature films and at least €50,000 for documentaries, or
• For Austrian or predominantly Austrian projects, at least 30 percent of the Austrian share must be secured
• For minority projects, at least 50 percent of the non-Austrian share must be secured.

More info about ÖFI film funding

Possible Bonuses

Green Bonus

If production is ecologically sustainable, funding can be increased by 5 percent to 35 percent.

Gender Gap Financing

If the submitted film project meets a defined target value of female employees in head departments, an additional lump sum of €25,000 can be granted.

Excellence Bonus (only for Austrian productions)

This bonus is a non-repayable grant from the Television Fund Austria, which supports production with up to 10 percent of recognized expenses. To apply for the excellence bonus, a 30 percent participation of one or more TV stations in the project is required. Additionally, a positive funding decision by aws and the fulfillment of at least 4 criteria from the corresponding guidelines are necessary.

Value-Added Bonus

For international co-productions funded under ÖFI+, a value-added bonus can be applied for. A prerequisite is that an inflow of at least €100,000 in Austria generates additional value creation; this inflow can be subsidized by up to 55 percent (including 5 percent Green Bonus).

Further Funding

Additional funding in this area can also be found at Film in Austria (as well as further information on the aforementioned funding). If you are planning a film project in Salzburg, the funding from the state of Salzburg may also be considered.

For all these funding opportunities, deadlines, possible combinations, and much more must be observed. Get advice!