Minority co-production short animation and research & experiment

You can apply to the Netherlands Film Fund for the realisation of a Dutch minority co-production in the categories of short animation and research & experimentation. Through this scheme, the Film Fund supports distinctive, artistic minority co-productions with strong potential for international festival selection and broad international audience reach.

Projects submitted under this scheme are of high artistic and creative quality and include a substantial creative and technical contribution from Dutch film professionals. The following applies:

• Short animated films may have a maximum duration of 60 minutes.

• Productions in the Research & Experiment category are boundary-pushing, exploratory, experimental, or artistic. This also includes immersive or interactive artistic media productions.

International co-production sharpens the filmmaker’s artistic vision, provides a broader financial foundation for film projects, and fosters professional expertise and creative exchange. Additionally, this artistic and financial collaboration positively impacts the international visibility of Dutch film, film professionals, and the film industry, offering Dutch filmmakers a greater chance to break through in the international market.

Recent examples of filmproductions that received support through this scheme are Floating with Spirits by Juanita Onzaga, Water Girl by Sandra Desmazières, The Human Surge 3 by Eduardo Williams, Beautiful Men by Nicolas Keppens and Luce and the Rock by Britt Raes.

The scheme is aimed at Dutch co-producers of Dutch minority film projects in the categories of short animated films and Research & Experiment productions.

Applications for production support can be submitted on application dates by the Dutch minority coproduction company (a legal entity, not a one-man business or general partnership) that has been based based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a member state of the EU or the EEA or Switzerland for at least two years and that produces and exploits films and other audiovisual productions on a continuous basis.

The production company will be represented by the Dutch minority co-producer (click here). This producer will have had prime responsibility as a majority producer for the realisation of:

• a minimum of one free animated production (not a commissioned film) in the Netherlands (short animation application);
• a minimum of one free production in the Netherlands, not a commissioned film (research & experimental application).

• Up to € 50,000

To qualify for a contribution the film production must be of exceptional artistic quality in international co-production terms and show evidence of substantial creative and technical input by film professionals from the Netherlands.

All applications must show that:

• 50% of the financing from the main producer’s country of establishment has been confirmed;
• The total contribution of Dutch funds and market participants in the realisation of the film production is at least 10% of total production costs;
• Tasks and responsibilities are divided between the foreign majority co-producer and Dutch minority co-producer in a signed declaration, which also describes how the co-production is defined.

• The applicant preferably holds the exclusive filming and exploitation rights for the Benelux countries and, if the rights for Belgium and Luxembourg have already been allocated, at least these rights for the Dutch territory.
• The film production will be released in the Netherlands, either in film theatres or with a non-theatrical release or both. An exception will be made for a film production in the short animation and research & experimental category, but then a detailed distribution plan must be submitted.

• The global revenues and any financial contributions received through Eurimages and/or other European funding are allocated pro rata to the applicant.

• The grant amount will be spent entirely in the Netherlands (cast, crew, etc).

Requirement

• The financing of a film production must be fully and unconditionally secured by third parties within 18 months of the Film Fund's grant decision.

Applications are assessed according to the general assessment framework set out in Article 5 of the General Regulations.

In addition, for the Research & Experiment category, consideration is given to the extent to which the film production is innovative, exceptional, and exemplary within the cinematographic and cultural landscape. This may involve new technical or creative approaches that make the film a qualitative or professional contribution to the cultural offering in the Netherlands. This criterion must be positively assessed in order for the grant to be awarded.

Applications for this scheme can be submitted on the day of the deadline before 17:00 CET.

Applications for production support can be submitted on application dates by the Dutch producer (click here).