The film production must be independent. In other words, an applicant as a legal entity is independent of end operators, has the decisive voice in making decisions on content, production and execution and has sufficient commercial freedom with regard to the exploitation and screening of the film production.

Only film productions, that is feature films, long animated films and long documentaries that satisfy the cultural criteria, requirements and conditions of the scheme, are eligible for a contribution.

In broad terms the following conditions must be met:

The cinema release in the Netherlands (12 weeks) must be guaranteed. For Dutch minority co-productions, both a guaranteed cinema release in the country of origin and a non-theatrical release in the Netherlands also qualify.
For a feature film or long animated film the production costs must be not less than
€1,000,000 and the qualifying costs not less than €150,000.
For a long documentary the production costs must be not less than €250,000 and the qualifying costs not less than €100,000.
The production costs must, in the opinion of the Fund, be budgeted in line with the market and realistically and be directly connected with the realisation of the film production.
On application, at least 50% of the production budget must have been promised by third parties (no guarantees or deferments) unconditionally and demonstrably in writing.
Only applications achieving a minimum of 75 points - including points for a minimum of two main positions - are eligible. For international (co-)productions with a minority share of the financing from the Netherlands spending one million or more qualifying production costs in the Netherlands, one main position is sufficient and points can be allocated for other positions if they are responsible for the execution of the production in the Netherlands.
A minimum of two financiers, not allied to each other, who contribute to the financing and broad public access and visibility through several end operators is guaranteed.
The applicant is obliged to produce the film production in accordance with the information submitted with the application, including the number of points set down in the decision.
The film production must be fully financed within six months of the date of the decision and at the latest before the start of shooting, after which the Fund’s Implementation Agreement will be drawn up.
The film production must be complete and released within 24 months of conclusion of the Implementation Agreement.

The detailed requirements for the applicant and the application are set out in the regulations for the Netherlands Film Production Incentive Scheme.

Subsidies for incentive

Realisation (1)

Netherlands Film Production Incentive