German Federal Film Board

The German Federal Film Board (FFA) is Germany’s national film funding institution and has been a funder of Berlinale Talents since the very first edition.

The FFA mission includes promoting German cinema, improving structural support for the country's film industry, enhancing the industry’s domestic economic impact, and improving the distribution and market appeal of German cinema at home and abroad. The FFA also works towards aligning and coordinating film funding between the Federal Government and regional states.

Both Berlinale Talents and the FFA aim to support film development and film education throughout all stages of the production cycle. They also seek to raise awareness for our shared cinematic heritage and its preservation, and to promote the cultural value of films to a broad audience in Germany and internationally.

Since 2023, the Kompagnon Fellowship has been enabled by the FFA. In 2026, the Fellowships were bestowed upon Mala Reinhardt of Berlinale Talents Doc Station 2025 for her “Mutter/Sprache” (Mother/Tongue) and Elmar Imanov of Berlinale Forum 2025 for his “Maya mit Y” (Maya with Y).

We are pleased that the FFA's support of Berlinale Talents and the Kompagnon Fellowship continued for 2026 and look forward to working together again in the future.

Learn more about the FFA here.

The 2026 Kompagnon recipients along with jury members Linda Kirmse, Director of FIRST STEPS, Dieu Hao Do, screenwriter & director, and Sara Fazilat, producer, actress and screenwriter.

FFA's Sandra Hoff and Jolinde Sawahn with Berlinale Talents leadership duo Tobias Pausinger and Nikola Joetze at the 2026 Opening Ceremony.