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Co-producing with Switzerland

Key facts & figures

  • 80 feature-length films produced yearly*
  • 43% of them are international coproductions*
  • 92.9 million Swiss francs (= around € 96 Mio) annual public funding for the audiovisual sector**
  • German, French and Italian are national languages, and English is widely spoken
  • Various sources of funding available on national and regional levels and from the private sector
  • Up to 40% cash rebate (e.g. for minority coproductions with non-Swiss director)
  • 8.1% VAT
  • More than 60 production companies with an output of at least one feature film per year
  • Member of Eurimages and of the Council of Europe, but no longer of Creative Europe MEDIA
  • Can officially co-produce with 45 countries through bi- and trilateral agreements or the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production
* Average 2018-2021
** 2024

All you need to know

Switzerland's audiovisual production is mainly based on three pillars of funding: 

  • National Funding 
  • Regional Funding 
  • Swiss National Television (SRG SSR)

You can take a closer look and read about them further below.

Find out all you need to know about the opportunities and funding available for co-productions in Switzerland in our brochure Co-producing with Switzerland.

National Funding

Federal Office of Culture (FOC)

The federal government's contributions to the production and distribution of films strengthen and ensure the quality and diversity of the film offer in all regions of the country. In addition to selective and automatic funding it also offers a cash rebate scheme (PICS). The FOC also publishes the conditions for official recognition of Swiss films and co-productions on its website.



MEDIA Desk Suisse (commissioned by the Federal Office of Culture)

MEDIA Desk Suisse manages the MEDIA compensating measures as part of the Confederation's international strategy. It offers funding to Swiss applicants for projects with an international scope.

The funding covers market access activities, festivals, training, film education, distribution and three different funding lines supporting the development of audiovisual projects with international potential:

Funding for audiovisual projects in development (Swiss minority) with a high international distribution potential.

WHAT?

  • The maximum amount which can be granted depends on the genre:

Fiction films: CHF 50'000 
Creative documentaries: CHF 25'000 
Animation films: CHF 50'000 
Series: CHF 50'000

  • Funding can cover up to 70% of the Swiss minority partner’s expenses.
  • All genres, platforms; one-offs or series made for cinema, TV, online and XR.
  • Projects with non-Swiss author eligible.
  • Automatic points favour children’s film and animation projects as well as projects with Swiss (co-)authors and projects with a convincing sustainability strategy.

HOW?

  • Application by Swiss minority producer.
  • 50% of development financing in the majority country must be in place.
  • A deal memo between the co-producers must be in place which corresponds to existing co-production treaties with Switzerland.
  • 8 months before shooting at the latest.
  • 2 deadlines per year in March and September.

More details on our specific page in French or German.

Funding for audiovisual projects in development (Swiss majority co-productions or Swiss films) with a high international distribution potential.

WHAT?

  • The maximum amount which can be granted depends on the genre:

Fiction films with a production budget < CHF 1,65 Mio: CHF 33'000
Fiction films with a production budget > CHF 1,65 Mio CHF: CHF 55'000
Creative documentaries: CHF 33'000
Animation films: CHF 60'000
Series: CHF 60'000

  • Funding can cover up to 70% of the Swiss majority partner’s expenses.
  • All federal funding (incl. MEDIA compensating measures, FOC funding, Succès Cinéma contributions) must not exceed 70% of the Swiss financing part.
  • All genres, platforms; one-offs or series made for cinema, TV, online and XR.
  • Automatic points favour co-productions and children's film.

HOW?

  • Application by Swiss (majority) producer.
  • 8 months before shooting at the latest.
  • 2 deadlines per year in March and September.

More details on our specific page in French or German.

Funding for independent Swiss production companies to develop a slate of three to five audiovisual projects (Swiss majority co-productions or Swiss films) with a high international distribution potential.

WHAT?

  • The maximum contribution per slate is CHF 220'000, depending on types and numbers of submitted projects.
  • The maximum contributions per project are as follows:

Fiction films with a production budget < CHF 1,65 Mio: CHF 33'000
Fiction films with a production budget > CHF 1,65 Mio CHF: CHF 55'000
Creative documentaries: CHF 33'000
Animation films: CHF 60'000
Series: CHF 60'000

  • Funding can cover up to 70% of the Swiss majority partner's expenses.
  • All federal funding (incl. MEDIA compensating measures, FOC funding, Succès Cinéma contributions) must not exceed 70% of the Swiss financing part.
  • All genres, platforms; one-offs or series made for cinema, TV, online and XR.
  • The majority of projects must be created as a co-production with an independent production company from a country that has ratified the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production (version of 1992 or 2017).

HOW? 

  • Application by Swiss (majority) producer.
  • 8 months before shooting at the latest.
  • 1 deadline per year in June.

More details on our specific page in French or German.

Regional Funding

Cinéforom

The film foundation Cinéforom supports the creation and distribution of films from French-speaking Switzerland.
 

Zurich Film Fund

The foundation supports the development, production and exhibition of works from the canton of Zurich.
 

Bern Film Fund

The organisation supports professional film-making in the canton of Berne.
 

Basel Region Film & Media Art Fund

The fund supports the development and production of films and digital media art works from the city of Basel and its region.
 

Central Switzerland

The fund supports the development and production of films made in five cantons from Central Switzerland: Lucerne, Uri, Zug, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden.

Quota and investment obligation

As of year 2024, all audiovisual services providing film content (private broadcasters, foreign broadcasters with publicity windows to Switzerland, TVOD and SVOD platforms as well as telecom services) must invest in Swiss film production or its promotion. The investment obligation amounts to 4 percent of their annual gross income generated in Switzerland. If they fail to do so, they must pay a subsidiary levy after a period of 4 years. The revised Film Act also newly sets a 30% quota of European films on streaming services and regulates public access to films that have received federal funds.

More information can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Culture.

Swiss National Television

SRG SSR Swiss public broadcasting

Under the umbrella of the Swiss Public broadcaster SRG SSR, the national television stations support the development and production of audiovisual and multimedia works within the framework of the Audiovisual Pact. SRG SSR offers seven television channels in the four national languages: German (SRF), French (RTS), Italian (RSI) and Romansh (RTR).

Film commissions

Switzerland Film Commissions

Film Commission Switzerland is a network of regional film commissions and various regional contacts. It aims to connect producers and local production service providers and helps in finding local assistance, coproduction partnerships, or shooting locations.

Bern Film Commission
Film Commission Lucerne & Central Switzerland
Film Location Riviera
Ticino Film Commission
Valais Film Commission
Film Commission Zurich

Looking for Swiss Producers?

If you are looking for Swiss producers, distributors or associations, you can find lists here. Do not hesitate to contact MEDIA Desk Suisse or SWISS FILMS for matchmaking.

Also, meet them at festivals & markets, both international ones and Swiss ones such as these below.

 

International promotion

SWISS FILMS

The Swiss Films foundation is the promotion agency for Swiss films. It offers Swiss producers and directors promotional services, individual consultancies, and facilitates international distribution of their productions through its Distribution Support. Thanks to SWISS FILMS’ membership with the European Film Promotion, Swiss films and talents are eligible to take part in the EFP programmes, such as the Film Sales Support. SWISS FILMS is funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture. 

Training

FOCAL

The foundation for professional training in the audiovisual field proposes various national and international programmes for all areas of the film industry. FOCAL is funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture. 

 

Get trained - stay connected!

Swiss filmmakers can apply to MEDIA Desk Suisse for grants to participate in Creative Europe MEDIA or MEDIA compensating measures funded training activities.

In our Get Trained brochure you will find around 80 eligible training activities that are offered throughout Europe. The workshops offer excellent opportunities for international networking, as well.

More details on our specific page in French or German.

 

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