A platform for filmmakers looking for residency opportunities

These residencies are all designed to enable creative development and facilitate exchange among film talents from around the world and professionals from the Berlin-Brandenburg film industry. Berlin is a great city of diversity and freedom that values talent and creativity.

 

For more information click on the specific programmes below.

Berlin Film Residencies – "Return to the first knock of the idea, and be brave to carry it on, no matter the noise." Viv Li , China, NIPKOW PROGRAMM fellow 2021 photo: Alexander Sussmann
"Return to the first knock of the idea, and be brave to carry it on, no matter the noise."

Viv Li , China, NIPKOW PROGRAMM fellow 2021
photo: Alexander Sussmann
Berlin Film Residencies – "When I came here, I knew the film I wanted to make but when I leave here tomorrow, I have the film I want to make." Amanou Yelebo, Togo, Berlin AiR 2022 photo: Shoot Amani
"When I came here, I knew the film I wanted to make but when I leave here tomorrow, I have the film I want to make."

Amanou Yelebo, Togo, Berlin AiR 2022
photo: Shoot Amani
Berlin Film Residencies – "The Nipkow experience builds bridges in cinema and between filmmakers" Myriam el Hajj, Lebanon, NIPKOW PROGRAMM fellow 2021 photo: Francisco Zamora
"The Nipkow experience builds bridges in cinema and between filmmakers"

Myriam el Hajj, Lebanon, NIPKOW PROGRAMM fellow 2021
photo: Francisco Zamora
Berlin Film Residencies – “Made me see the sun again.” Kaung Sint Tha, Myanmar, Berlin AiR 2021 photo: Nay Chi Myat Noe Wint
“Made me see the sun again.”

Kaung Sint Tha, Myanmar, Berlin AiR 2021
photo: Nay Chi Myat Noe Wint
Berlin Film Residencies – "Concentration on the script+nice colleagues+good organization= I loved attending Nipkow!" Maura Delpero, Italy, NIPKOW PROGRAMM fellow 2021 photo: Rosario Patti
"Concentration on the script+nice colleagues+good organization= I loved attending Nipkow!"

Maura Delpero, Italy, NIPKOW PROGRAMM fellow 2021
photo: Rosario Patti
Berlin Film Residencies – "The most enriching retreat I’ve ever had." Karim Rahbani, Lebanon, Berlin AiR fellow 2019 photo: Mustapha Azab
"The most enriching retreat I’ve ever had."

Karim Rahbani, Lebanon, Berlin AiR fellow 2019
photo: Mustapha Azab
Berlin Film Residencies – The AiR program gave me the most precious thing a filmmaker can wish for: time. Fiammetta Luino, Italy, Berlin AiR fellow 2019 photo: Fiammetta Luino
The AiR program gave me the most precious thing a filmmaker can wish for: time.

Fiammetta Luino, Italy, Berlin AiR fellow 2019
photo: Fiammetta Luino
Berlin Film Residencies – Be part of The Artist-In-Residence program was a very powerful experience. Exchanging knowledges with the other residents, learning from several workshops and being supported by the Medienboard team made me grow professionally and feel more prepared for the international film industry. And the best thing is: I’ve created a new family! Nara Normande, Brazil, Berlin AiR fellow 2019 photo: Manoele Scortegagna
Be part of The Artist-In-Residence program was a very powerful experience. Exchanging knowledges with the other residents, learning from several workshops and being supported by the Medienboard team made me grow professionally and feel more prepared for the international film industry. And the best thing is: I’ve created a new family!

Nara Normande, Brazil, Berlin AiR fellow 2019
photo: Manoele Scortegagna
Berlin Film Residencies – "An ideal environment to nurture and develop my film project" Basile Doganis, France, Berlin AiR 2020 photo: Christophe Berlet
"An ideal environment to nurture and develop my film project"

Basile Doganis, France, Berlin AiR 2020
photo: Christophe Berlet
Berlin Film Residencies – "The residency in Guanajuato provided a perfect opportunity to meet creatives from the Mexican Film Industry. One is both well taken care of and left to work. I found the time spent allowed me to fully concentrate and focus on what I had set out to do. San Miguel de Allende was therefore really both pleasurable and effective." Pia Marais, South Africa/Germany, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018 photo: Katherine-Bowman
"The residency in Guanajuato provided a perfect opportunity to meet creatives from the Mexican Film Industry. One is both well taken care of and left to work. I found the time spent allowed me to fully concentrate and focus on what I had set out to do. San Miguel de Allende was therefore really both pleasurable and effective."

Pia Marais, South Africa/Germany, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018
photo: Katherine-Bowman
Berlin Film Residencies – "My summer in Tel Aviv left such a strong impression on me. It was so exciting to be there. I absorbed experiences and encounters that also helped my project. It’s super that MBB funds all these opportunities for filmmakers to expand their horizons and spend time in different places around the world." Pola Beck, Germany, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018 photo: Kasimir Bordasch
"My summer in Tel Aviv left such a strong impression on me. It was so exciting to be there. I absorbed experiences and encounters that also helped my project. It’s super that MBB funds all these opportunities for filmmakers to expand their horizons and spend time in different places around the world."

Pola Beck, Germany, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018
photo: Kasimir Bordasch
Berlin Film Residencies – "I loved the time I spent in Berlin, the creative energy of the city and its people. I think it made my writing and me as a writer better for it. There is no place like Berlin, it is testament to the possibility of healing and reinvention, and the infinite possibilities of stories, both real and imagined. I was honored to have this artistic experience there." Ritesh Batra, India, BERLIN AiR fellow 2013
"I loved the time I spent in Berlin, the creative energy of the city and its people. I think it made my writing and me as a writer better for it. There is no place like Berlin, it is testament to the possibility of healing and reinvention, and the infinite possibilities of stories, both real and imagined. I was honored to have this artistic experience there."

Ritesh Batra, India, BERLIN AiR fellow 2013
Berlin Film Residencies – Alice Rohrwacher, Italy, NIPKOW PROGRAMM fellow 2011 photo: Fabio Lovino
Alice Rohrwacher, Italy, NIPKOW PROGRAMM fellow 2011
photo: Fabio Lovino

Berlin Artist-in-Residency (Berlin AiR)

The Medienboard initiated BERLIN ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY (BERLIN AiR) offers international filmmakers creative time in some of the world’s most inspiring cities.

Filmmakers from the following regions have the possibility to come to Berlin:

 

Please contact the relevant partner institutions for application information.

 

Filmmakers from Berlin-Brandenburg have the possibility to go to:

Berlin-Brandenburg based filmmakers apply through the BERLIN AiR website organised by the NIPKOW PROGRAMM.

 

Berlin Film Residencies – "Being a part of this generous programme has had a profound effect on my writing and presenting the content. Plus meeting this exciting group of filmmakers was amazing." Ceylan Özçelik, Turkey, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018
"Being a part of this generous programme has had a profound effect on my writing and presenting the content. Plus meeting this exciting group of filmmakers was amazing."

Ceylan Özçelik, Turkey, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018
Berlin Film Residencies – Gilitte Leung, 2018 BERLIN AiR fellow, 1st day in Berlin with her bike Bilitte
Gilitte Leung, 2018 BERLIN AiR fellow, 1st day in Berlin with her bike Bilitte
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "The Art of Negotiation" 2015, exercising with Petra Padberg and BERLIN AiR fellows Roi Werner and Max Zunino
Workshop "The Art of Negotiation" 2015, exercising with Petra Padberg and BERLIN AiR fellows Roi Werner and Max Zunino
Berlin Film Residencies – On the set of FOXTROT with Producer Eitan Mansuri, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg Managing Director Kirsten Niehuus, Director Samuel Maoz, Producer Viola Fügen next to the Main Actors Lior Ashkenazi and Sarah Adler, Producer Michael Weber and DOP Giora Bejach
On the set of FOXTROT with Producer Eitan Mansuri, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg Managing Director Kirsten Niehuus, Director Samuel Maoz, Producer Viola Fügen next to the Main Actors Lior Ashkenazi and Sarah Adler, Producer Michael Weber and DOP Giora Bejach
Berlin Film Residencies – 2016 BERLIN AiR fellows Muayad Alayan and Ricardo Soto
2016 BERLIN AiR fellows Muayad Alayan and Ricardo Soto
Berlin Film Residencies – 2019 BERLIN AiR fellows Gilitte Leung and Alassane Sy visiting Studio Babelsberg
2019 BERLIN AiR fellows Gilitte Leung and Alassane Sy visiting Studio Babelsberg
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "The Art of Negotiation" 2016 with BERLIN AiR fellow Susie Au at Villa Kult with NIPKOW fellows and the experts Renate Roginas and Petra Padberg
Workshop "The Art of Negotiation" 2016 with BERLIN AiR fellow Susie Au at Villa Kult with NIPKOW fellows and the experts Renate Roginas and Petra Padberg
Berlin Film Residencies – "I felt incredibly happy and lucky all along for having the Nipkow team by my side and I learned plenty from their experience and approach to film and to life." Gabriel Herrera Torres, Mexico, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018
"I felt incredibly happy and lucky all along for having the Nipkow team by my side and I learned plenty from their experience and approach to film and to life."

Gabriel Herrera Torres, Mexico, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018
Berlin Film Residencies – BERLIN AiR fellows with Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg Managing Director Kirsten Niehuus and Head of Berlin Brandenburg Film Commission (bbfc) Christiane Raab and Mareike Hube (bbfc)
BERLIN AiR fellows with Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg Managing Director Kirsten Niehuus and Head of Berlin Brandenburg Film Commission (bbfc) Christiane Raab and Mareike Hube (bbfc)
Berlin Film Residencies – "Being a part of the BERLIN ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY was a very powerful experience. Exchanging knowledges with other residents, learning from several workshops and being supported by the Nipkow team made me grow professionally and feel more prepared for the international film industry. And the best thing is: I’ve created a new family!" Nara Normande, Brazil, BERLIN AiR fellow 2019
"Being a part of the BERLIN ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY was a very powerful experience. Exchanging knowledges with other residents, learning from several workshops and being supported by the Nipkow team made me grow professionally and feel more prepared for the international film industry. And the best thing is: I’ve created a new family!"

Nara Normande, Brazil, BERLIN AiR fellow 2019
Berlin Film Residencies – BERLIN AiR fellows Xiao Baer, Shubhashish Bhutiani and Ehab Tarabieh on a day trip through Brandenburg
BERLIN AiR fellows Xiao Baer, Shubhashish Bhutiani and Ehab Tarabieh on a day trip through Brandenburg
Berlin Film Residencies – 2018 BERLIN AiR fellows Hadar Morag, Aicha Macky and Laila Abbas visiting Park Sanssouci
2018 BERLIN AiR fellows Hadar Morag, Aicha Macky and Laila Abbas visiting Park Sanssouci
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "Project Packaging for the International Market" 2018, one-to-one meeting, Fabian Haslob and BERLIN AiR fellow Hadar Morag
Workshop "Project Packaging for the International Market" 2018, one-to-one meeting, Fabian Haslob and BERLIN AiR fellow Hadar Morag
Berlin Film Residencies – Head of Berlin Brandenburg Film Commission (bbfc) Christiane Raab with BERLIN AiR fellow Gilitte Leung
Head of Berlin Brandenburg Film Commission (bbfc) Christiane Raab with BERLIN AiR fellow Gilitte Leung
Berlin Film Residencies – "The BERLIN ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY was inspiring in many different ways but these three elements were at the heart of it: Creative input, genuine support and precise guidance. This residency changed my life plans and I ended up in Berlin to work on my films." Zeynep Dadak, Turkey, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018
"The BERLIN ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY was inspiring in many different ways but these three elements were at the heart of it: Creative input, genuine support and precise guidance. This residency changed my life plans and I ended up in Berlin to work on my films."

Zeynep Dadak, Turkey, BERLIN AiR fellow 2018
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "Project Packaging for the International Market" 2016, one-to-one meeting, Christine Camdessus and BERLIN AiR fellow Raj More
Workshop "Project Packaging for the International Market" 2016, one-to-one meeting, Christine Camdessus and BERLIN AiR fellow Raj More
Berlin Film Residencies – BERLIN AiR fellow Nara Normande with NIPKOW fellow Cecilia Kang and Judit Ruster canoeing in the Spreewald
BERLIN AiR fellow Nara Normande with NIPKOW fellow Cecilia Kang and Judit Ruster canoeing in the Spreewald
Berlin Film Residencies – BERLIN AiR fellow Zeynep Dadak meets NIPKOW fellow Petra Seliškar
BERLIN AiR fellow Zeynep Dadak meets NIPKOW fellow Petra Seliškar
Berlin Film Residencies – 2018 BERLIN AiR fellows Hadar Morag, Laila Abbas and Aicha Macky visiting Studio Babelsberg
2018 BERLIN AiR fellows Hadar Morag, Laila Abbas and Aicha Macky visiting Studio Babelsberg

The selection process is done with the respective international partner institutions. The stay in Berlin is organised and guided by the NIPKOW PROGRAMM. The BERLIN AiR is specifically designed to meet individual needs (for example, script consultants, networking possibilities). The Medienboard is a door opener in the local film and media industry. Fellowships are for 2 or 3 months (depending on the partner agreement) and include travel expenses, accommodation, as well as a monthly cash allowance of €1,200.

 

For further information on the programmes visit the Medienboard:

Go to website

Nipkow Programm

À-la-carte project development to enhance international co-productions

Established in 1992 and based in Berlin, the NIPKOW PROGRAMM offers international professional filmmakers a curriculum tailored to meet their individual needs and aspirations. In addition to one-to-one mentoring by experts from the European film industry, participants are given the opportunity to attend special training seminars and workshops held by seasoned professionals, focussing on various aspects of packaging, promotion, sales and new technologies.

Berlin Film Residencies – "The NIPKOW PROGRAMM is quite unique because it’s probably one of the few programmes of its kind which actually caters to the individual needs of a fellow" Meenu Gaur, India, NIPKOW PROGRAMM
"The NIPKOW PROGRAMM is quite unique because it’s probably one of the few programmes of its kind which actually caters to the individual needs of a fellow"

Meenu Gaur, India, NIPKOW PROGRAMM
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "The Art of Negotiation in the Film Business" with Renate Roginas, Petra Padberg, the 2015 participants and the NIPKOW team at Villa Kult, Berlin
Workshop "The Art of Negotiation in the Film Business" with Renate Roginas, Petra Padberg, the 2015 participants and the NIPKOW team at Villa Kult, Berlin
Berlin Film Residencies – NIPKOW PROGRAMM Jury Session 2017, Detlev Buck, Petra Weisenburger
NIPKOW PROGRAMM Jury Session 2017, Detlev Buck, Petra Weisenburger
Berlin Film Residencies – "I feel honoured to be selected as first Nepalese filmmaker at the prestigious NIPKOW PROGRAMM 2018" Min Bahadur Bham, Nepal, NIPKOW PROGRAMM
"I feel honoured to be selected as first Nepalese filmmaker at the prestigious NIPKOW PROGRAMM 2018"

Min Bahadur Bham, Nepal, NIPKOW PROGRAMM
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "My Script, my Character" with Petra Kashmiry and the 2018 BERLIN AiR and NIPKOW participants
Workshop "My Script, my Character" with Petra Kashmiry and the 2018 BERLIN AiR and NIPKOW participants
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "My Script, my Character" NIPKOW fellows 2018 Andrea Herrera Catalá, Almudena Monzú Míguez
Workshop "My Script, my Character" NIPKOW fellows 2018 Andrea Herrera Catalá, Almudena Monzú Míguez
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "Project Packaging for the European Market" in cooperation with 20th Festival Autorskog Filma, tutors, experts and the participants, 2014 Belgrade
Workshop "Project Packaging for the European Market" in cooperation with 20th Festival Autorskog Filma, tutors, experts and the participants, 2014 Belgrade
Berlin Film Residencies – "NIPKOW is a very embracing environment. The staff members go out of their way to make us feel welcome, supported and instantly part of their NIPKOW family" Reem Morsi, Egypt, NIPKOW PROGRAMM
"NIPKOW is a very embracing environment. The staff members go out of their way to make us feel welcome, supported and instantly part of their NIPKOW family"

Reem Morsi, Egypt, NIPKOW PROGRAMM
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "3D Filming" with Andreas Schellenberg and the 2018 AFAA participants
Workshop "3D Filming" with Andreas Schellenberg and the 2018 AFAA participants
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "My Script, my Character" lunch in the NIPKOW kitchen, 2018
Workshop "My Script, my Character" lunch in the NIPKOW kitchen, 2018
Berlin Film Residencies – Visiting the BIBI & TINA film set Petra Weisenburger, Wenka von Mikulicz and BERLIN AiR fellow Susie Au
Visiting the BIBI & TINA film set Petra Weisenburger, Wenka von Mikulicz and BERLIN AiR fellow Susie Au
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "How to Pitch" with Brigitta Manthey in the new NIPKOW headquarters with the BERLIN AiR and NIPKOW fellows, 2019
Workshop "How to Pitch" with Brigitta Manthey in the new NIPKOW headquarters with the BERLIN AiR and NIPKOW fellows, 2019
Berlin Film Residencies – NIPKOW Jury 2014, Andreas Schellenberg, Cedomir Kolar, Head of Jury Christine Camdessus, Daniel Hocevar, Stefan Laudyn and Nadine Luque with Managing Director Petra Weisenburger
NIPKOW Jury 2014, Andreas Schellenberg, Cedomir Kolar, Head of Jury Christine Camdessus, Daniel Hocevar, Stefan Laudyn and Nadine Luque with Managing Director Petra Weisenburger
Berlin Film Residencies – Workshop "Project Packaging for the European Market" in cooperation with 20th Festival Autorskog Filma, one-to-one meeting, Leslie Hills, Balazs Simonyi and his producer László Józsa, 2014 Belgrade
Workshop "Project Packaging for the European Market" in cooperation with 20th Festival Autorskog Filma, one-to-one meeting, Leslie Hills, Balazs Simonyi and his producer László Józsa, 2014 Belgrade
Berlin Film Residencies – NIPKOW PROGRAMM Jury Session 2018, Od Howell, Detlev Buck, Wenka von Mikulicz, Petra Weisenburger, Christine Camdessus, Stefan Laudyn, Danijel Hocevar and Cedomir Kolar
NIPKOW PROGRAMM Jury Session 2018, Od Howell, Detlev Buck, Wenka von Mikulicz, Petra Weisenburger, Christine Camdessus, Stefan Laudyn, Danijel Hocevar and Cedomir Kolar

Whether the participating project concerns a feature film, documentary, series, animation or trans-media work, the aim of the NIPKOW PROGRAMM is to cultivate future international co-productions that will have the potential to attain worldwide distribution.

The fellowship has a duration of 3 months, provides individual consultations and group workshops and includes a cash allowance of €1,500 per month; travel and accommodation must be organised by the participants themselves.

 

For further information and application criteria, please visit the NIPKOW PROGRAMM:

Go to website

 

Haus am See

Tranquillity and financial independence in a lakeside manor – for full immersion in project development

Tucked away on a lush green peninsula on the Scharmützel Lake in Brandenburg (75 km from Berlin) and once frequented by the likes of Maxim Gorki and Stefan Zweig, this sprawling estate now hosts filmmakers.

Berlin Film Residencies – Fellows of the HAUS AM SEE stipend are invited to spend up to three months in Bad Saarow, just an hour away from Berlin
Fellows of the HAUS AM SEE stipend are invited to spend up to three months in Bad Saarow, just an hour away from Berlin
Berlin Film Residencies – "Being alone is a necessity for the creative process. During my residency time, I was able to leave everything behind and focus just on writing. Foresee my characters future. Read between the lines." Magda Jaroszewicz, HAUS AM SEE fellow 2019
"Being alone is a necessity for the creative process. During my residency time,
I was able to leave everything behind and focus just on writing. Foresee my characters future.
Read between the lines."

Magda Jaroszewicz, HAUS AM SEE fellow 2019
Berlin Film Residencies – Fellows of the HAUS AM SEE stipend are invited to spend up to three months in Bad Saarow, just an hour away from Berlin
Fellows of the HAUS AM SEE stipend are invited to spend up to three months in Bad Saarow, just an hour away from Berlin
Berlin Film Residencies – "Very close to Berlin HAUS AM SEE is yet far enough away to breathe through and reflect about your projects. It was great to profit from the host's very generous invitations to Bad Saarow and develop the film further even during the later editing process." Karim Aïnouz, Brazil, HAUS AM SEE fellow 2017
"Very close to Berlin HAUS AM SEE is yet far enough away to breathe through and reflect about your projects. It was great to profit from the host's very generous invitations to Bad Saarow and develop the film further even during the later editing process."

Karim Aïnouz, Brazil, HAUS AM SEE fellow 2017
Berlin Film Residencies – Fellows of the HAUS AM SEE stipend are invited to spend up to three months in Bad Saarow, just an hour away from Berlin
Fellows of the HAUS AM SEE stipend are invited to spend up to three months in Bad Saarow, just an hour away from Berlin
Berlin Film Residencies – Donna Sharpe, fellow of the HAUS AM SEE stipend 2018 with her project BEAUTIFUL, INSIDE (MISS HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR)
Donna Sharpe, fellow of the HAUS AM SEE stipend 2018 with her project BEAUTIFUL, INSIDE (MISS HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR)
Berlin Film Residencies – Fellows of the HAUS AM SEE stipend are invited to spend up to three months in Bad Saarow, just an hour away from Berlin
Fellows of the HAUS AM SEE stipend are invited to spend up to three months in Bad Saarow, just an hour away from Berlin
Berlin Film Residencies – Raquel Stern, fellow of the HAUS AM SEE stipend 2018 with her project BEAUTIFUL, INSIDE (MISS HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR)
Raquel Stern, fellow of the HAUS AM SEE stipend 2018 with her project BEAUTIFUL, INSIDE (MISS HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR)

HAUS AM SEE supports filmmakers who have outstanding fictional or documentary projects that are in the treatment phase.

Applications are available to either non-German filmmakers with projects relevant to Berlin/Brandenburg (thematically linked or to be filmed or post-produced there) or to German filmmakers from Berlin/Brandenburg working on an international film project. Participants will receive the unique opportunity to present their film project during the FILM OHNE GRENZEN Festival in a moderated panel to an audience of representatives of the film industry and filmgoers.

The fellowship has a duration of 3 months and includes accommodation on the idyllic estate of Eibenhof in Bad Saarow, as well as a cash allowance of €12,000 in total.

For further information on the programme and application criteria, please visit HAUS AM SEE:

Go to website

Villa Aurora (Thomas Mann Haus)

In 1995, Villa Aurora became an artist residence and a place for international cultural encounters. As such, the house stands as a memorial to all the artists and intellectuals who found refuge from Nazi persecution and had tremendous impact on the cultural life of the United States’ West Coast.

Since 1995, more than 400 artists have revitalized this historic place and have in turn been inspired by U.S. culture and nature, the exiles’ traces, and the artists who lived and worked at Villa Aurora with them .

Many of our alumni have since secured a permanent place in the German and international artistic and literary sphere.

For application please contact Villa Aurora.