Green Filming
Frequently asked Questions -FAQ
Here you will find FACTS and frequently asked questions about the Austrian Film Institute’s REGULATIONS regarding green filming, sorted by topic.
If you have any questions or concerns that are not addressed in the FAQs, please do not hesitate to contact us!
greenfilming@filminstitrut.at
Thank you very much,
The Green Filming Department
GREEN FILMING @ ÖFI - GENERAL TOPICS
Where can I find all relevant information and regulations regarding green filming at the Austrian Film Institute?
Here you will find all relevant information on green filming and the Green Bonus in English and German:
https://filminstitut.at/foerderung/green-filming
Where can I find the currently valid guidelines?
https://filminstitut.at/foerderung/richtlinien
Where can I find the currently valid Film Funding Act?
https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10009500
To which funding programmes do the regulations on green filming in the guidelines apply?
- For all films in production that receive funding, including selective or automatic funding such as ÖFI+ and reference funding.
- For project development from selective funding
- For cinema releases (exploitation funding) ÖFI+.
Here you will find all relevant information on green filming and the Green Bonus in English and German: https://filminstitut.at/foerderung/green-filming
Who should I contact if I have any questions about green filming and funding at the Austrian Film Institute?
Please contact the Green Filming Department with any questions.
Contact: greenfilming@filminstitut.at
Where can I find all general information and news about green filming at the Austrian Film Institute?
All general information, collaborations and news can be found here:
https://filminstitut.at/en/green-filming
Where can I find the annual reports of the Green Filming Department?
https://filminstitut.at/en/green-filming/green-filming-reports
DOCUMENTS GREEN FILMING - SUBMITTING A PROJECT
What documents must be submitted for project development with regard to green filming?
All information on project development can be found here:
https://filminstitut.at/en/aid/green-filming-funding
A leaflet on the final report “Green Concept” can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
What documents must be taken into account when submitting a production project with regard to green filming?
Please refer to the production equipment list for this information.
The PDF download can be found at the bottom of the page here:
https://filminstitut.at/foerderung/antragstellung/herstellung
ÖFI+ GREEN BONUS
What is the Green Bonus?
The Green Bonus can be applied for as part of the ÖFI+ application as a financing component of 5%.
It is NOT an additional BONUS or incentive for the next project.
When is the Green Bonus paid out?
The 5% of the financing will be retained until the project is completed and at the latest until the “Final Green Report” has been reviewed.
Subject to a positive review of the final report, the Green Bonus will be released.
Is the Green Bonus mandatory?
No. Applying for the Green Bonus is not mandatory.
Is there also a Green Bonus for selective funding?
No. The Green Bonus is only available when applying for automatic ÖFI+ funding.
What regulations do I need to consider if I do not apply for a Green Bonus?
All relevant information can be found here:
https://filminstitut.at/en/aid/green-filming-funding
What regulations must be taken into account if I have a project that is receiving funding from the Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media, and Sport and then apply for ÖFI+ with Green Bonus?
If, after receiving funding from the BMWKMS, automatic ÖFI+ funding including Green Bonus is applied for, the regulations of the Austrian Film Institute regarding green filming must be applied.
CRITERIA & GREEN FILMING CHECK
What criteria catalogues are available at the Austrian Film Institute?
Currently:
- Criteria catalogue of minimum ecological standards for Austrian cinema film productions ÖFI/ÖFI+ (feature films and documentaries)
- Criteria catalogue of minimum ecological standards for Austrian cinema film productions ÖFI/ÖFI+// ANIMATION
- Criteria catalogue of minimum ecological standards for Austrian exploitation funding for cinema releases ÖFI+
All information and downloads (at the bottom of the page) can be found here:
How many MUST or SHOULD criteria must be implemented?
All information on this can be found in the respective criteria catalogue here: https://filminstitut.at/en/aid/green-filming-funding
What is the Green Filming Check?
The Green Filming Check is an overview of the respective criteria catalogue for production projects.
This must be submitted upon application and outlines the planning for the project in question.
The Green Filming Check is an annex to the funding agreement and forms the basis for practical implementation.
What are ‘Not applicable’ criteria?
‘Not applicable’ refers to criteria that do not apply to the project.
For example, many of the criteria are often “not applicable” to documentary films, such as the use of generators or a catering service.
These criteria are marked as ‘Not applicable’ in the planning stage, but are still included in the overall evaluation of the points in order to give these projects the opportunity to achieve the full number of points.
What regulations apply to the ‘product certification’ of the Austrian Ecolabel?
To have a project certified and become a licensee of the Austrian Ecolabel, please contact:
Certification is NOT mandatory for funded projects and is optional for the funding recipient.
Before the contract is signed, a decision must be made as to whether the project will be implemented according to the criteria of the Austrian Film Institute or whether certification based on the UZ76 guideline will be sought.
Upon completion of the project, the certificate, the final report and the overall CO2 balance sheet calculated using the film-specific calculator must be submitted as proof of implementation.
FINAL GREEN REPORT & INTERIM REPORT
Where can I find the template for the ‘Final Green Report’?
The templates for the final reports on the respective criteria catalogues can be downloaded here:
https://filminstitut.at/en/aid/green-filming-funding
What evidence must be provided for the production-related criteria?
The respective evidence for each criterion can be found in the template for the final report. This evidence should be sorted by topic and saved in the Austrian Film Institute’s folder template and submitted together with the completed Word document for the final and/or interim report.
What is an interim report for productions?
The interim report for production projects can be submitted as soon as filming has been completed.
This provides the opportunity to approve the passage in the credits of the project in question.
Without review of the interim report, no mention in the credits is possible and cannot be approved.
If the interim report is rejected, all missing documents can be submitted later, by the time the final report is due.
In this case, the passage in the credits cannot be approved.
The Green Filming Department requests that you contact us in a timely manner and submit the interim report.
Where can I find the template for the interim report during production?
The template for the final report can be used for the interim report.
This forms the basis for the final report and prepares the documents in such a way that they can be checked. The interim report must only be submitted if it is to be included in the credits. Without checking, approval for the credits is not possible.
Please note that the interim report is NOT considered a ‘preliminary report’ or ‘information report.’ We also ask that you refrain from submitting an ‘interim report’ that does not contain all the documents just to see how far you are with it. The Green Filming Department does not have the capacity for this.
If you have any questions, please contact the Green Filming Department at: greenfilming@filminstitut.at
GREEN FILMING ADDITIONAL COSTS
All information on the additional costs for green filming can be found here:
https://filminstitut.at/en/aid/green-filming-funding
Under the heading:
‘Green Filming Additional Costs and Green Bonus Calculation – ÖFI CALCULATION TEMPLATE’
PROJECT AUDITING
Who audit the projects at the Austrian Film Institute?
In cooperation with the respective project manager from the project department, the project is supervised from submission to final accounting.
With regard to green filming, the project is reviewed by the Green Filming Department from submission to contract. The submission documents and the Green Filming Check are reviewed. Any queries or missing documents are requested by the respective project supervisor.
The interim green report and the final green report are reviewed by the Green Filming Department in a detailed audit.
The results of the audit are communicated to the production in an official email.
The final report of the Green Filming Department is included as an appendix in the official final report of the project after settlement and completion of the project.
SHOOTING ABROAD AND REGULATIONS FOR CO-PRODUCTIONS
Who should I contact if I am supervising or implementing an international co-production and have questions about any aspect of it?
If you have any questions, please contact the Green Filming Department at: greenfilming@filminstitut.at
Where can I find all the current regulations regarding green filming for minority or majority co-productions?
All the necessary information can be found under ‘REGULATIONS for national and international CO-PRODUCTIONS’ here:
https://filminstitut.at/en/aid/green-filming-funding
Do I have to comply with the regulations when applying for a Green Bonus if I am filming abroad?
Yes. The criteria and regulations must also be complied with and verified abroad.
If you have any questions about cross-border coordination and the procedure for shooting abroad, please contact the Green Filming Department: greenfilming@filminstitut.at
What cross-border coordination already exists?
Currently, there is cross-border coordination with Germany and South Tyrol.
If you are planning or submitting a project and have specific questions about cross-border coordination for your project, please contact the Green Filming Department at:
Where can I find information about other European countries?
EVERGREEN PRISMA – Competence Centre for Green Filming Europe offers comprehensive information for further reading.
EVERGREEN PRISMA also includes a MAP OF GREEN INCENTIVES since 2020.
EVERGREEN PRISMA – MAPS OF GREEN INCENTIVES
EVERGREEN PRISMA has been a close cooperation partner of the Austrian Film Institute since 2019.
https://filminstitut.at/green-filming/evergreen-prisma
https://www.evergreenprisma.eu
GREEN FILM CONSULTANT* (GFC)
Does a Green Film Consultant* need to be consulted?
Project development: In project development, the Austrian Film Institute recommends consulting a Green Film Consultant*, who must be included in the project budget.
Production: A Green Film Consultant* is mandatory in production.
What is the role of the Green Film Consultant?
The Green Film Consultant’s task is to prepare, implement and report on the project in accordance with the regulations of the Austrian Film Institute. In the event of a change of personnel, the following point must be taken into account:
See the answer to the question (below): “Is it necessary to include a Green Film Consultant on the crew-list?”
Can Green Film Consultants* trained in Austria also work on projects in other countries?
Yes. However, it should be noted that they must be familiar with the conditions in the respective country.
How should the involvement of Green Film Consultants be taken into account in international co-productions?
In co-productions, at least one Green Film Consultant with appropriate proven and recognised training must be consulted. (See also: ‘Which Green Film Consultant training courses are recognised?’)
As things stand at present, a GFC is often appointed for each of the co-production countries. This is particularly the case for co-productions between Austria and South Tyrol. This is not absolutely necessary if the Green Film Consultant is familiar with the conditions and regulations in Austria and can comply with them.
Which Green Film Consultant* training courses are recognised ?
In cinema film promotion and in coordination with the Austrian Film Institute, the Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport, and the Film and Television Agency FFA in Germany, the following training courses are recognised as Green Film Consultant* training courses:
Austria:
Evergreen Prisma Academy: Green Film Consultant*:
https://www.evergreenprisma.eu
Germany:
IHK Munich and Upper Bavaria: Green Consultant* Film & TV IHK
https://www.ihk-akademie-muenchen.de/csr-nachhaltigkeit/green-consultant-film-tv/
Stuttgart Media University: Green Consultant*
https://www.zertifikat-green-consulting.de/
Switzerland:
HSLU Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts: Green Consultant*
https://www.hslu.ch/de-ch/design-film-kunst/weiterbildung/kurse-seminare/green-consultant/
What is the maximum amount that can be claimed for the fee of a Green Film Consultant*?
Upon application and agreement with the Association of Green Film Consultants* Austria, a maximum daily fee of €600 is currently recognised and eligible for funding.
Is it necessary to include a Green Film Consultant on the crew-list?
Yes, the Green Film Consultant must be included in the crew-list as a crew position.
The consultant must be involved and integrated into the project from the outset of the contract. This must be evidenced by a written agreement.
Changes are only possible in exceptional cases according to the contract and must therefore be communicated in writing to the project leaders. The rules laid down in the funding contract under point 11.2 apply here in the same way as for all other crew units:
11. 2. If, during the production of the film covered by the contract, significant changes occur in the conditions on which the conclusion of the contract was based, in particular in the documents described in terms of content (script/shooting concept), personnel (both in terms of personnel and labour law), staffing, assessed own contributions (ILVs) and financing, as well as in events that delay or make impossible the realisation of the supported film or that entail or require a change in the agreed purpose of the support or in the agreed requirements or conditions, the grant recipient must immediately notify the Film Institute in writing (see also point. “Ancillary Agreements”).
Can a Green Film Consultant* also perform a double-role in the project?
In principle, yes, provided that the paid work as Green Film Consultant*, including the mandatory reporting, is the main focus and does not compromise the quality of this work.
However, the Austrian Film Institute requests that care be taken to ensure that no additional activities are undertaken that do not correspond to the job description and training of the Green Film Consultant, such as the role of ‘set representative’ unless specific training has been provided for this. This must be communicated transparently when submitting the funding application.
CO2eq BALANCING
Where can I find the specific film- and countryspecific CO2eq calculator?
Evergreen Prisma, AUT: https://lafc.greenshooting.at/de_DE/start/
Green Shooting, GER: https://go.greenshooting.de/de_DE/
Green Shooting, CH: https://www.green-shooting.ch/de_DE/
Green Shooting, IT: https://idm.greenshooting.eu/de_DE/
It should be noted that country-specific factors are stored in the various calculators and must be taken into account depending on the shooting schedule in the above-mentioned countries.
Turned parts can either be mapped in different calculators or entered as externally determined emissions in the main calculator used. The source must be specified.
Is CO2eq balancing mandatory?
Yes. After production has been completed, a TOTAL CO2eq TARGET and CO2eq ACTUAL balance AND the detailed extracts from the CO2eq calculator must be submitted. The data must be recorded using the film-specific CO2eq calculator.
For shooting days in Austria, Germany, South Tyrol or Switzerland, the film-specific CO2eq calculator from KlimAktiv must be used to obtain consistent and comparable data.
What is a TOTAL CO2eq TARGET and CO2eq ACTUAL balance?
The CO2eq ACTUAL balance is the actual balance after completion of production, including post-production. It should be noted that the entire project must be included.
The CO2eq TARGET balance should be calculated on the basis of the CO2eq ACTUAL balance by ‘realistically’ deducting the sustainable effects.
A clear statement on the ecological impact of a production can only be made if the sustainable effects from the ACTUAL balancing are converted into values without sustainable effects in the CO2eq TARGET balancing.
What should be included in the CO2eq balancing?
The balance must reflect the ENTIRE project. As with the criteria and implementation for the entire project, the balance must also be prepared for the entire project.
What are externally determined emissions and how are they incorporated into the calculator?
Externally determined emissions are emissions that are incorporated into the respective film-specific CO2eq calculator based on an external calculation or external values.
These should be emissions determined using one of the above-mentioned CO2eq calculators or country-specific emissions in countries that do not offer a film-specific calculator.
The source must be noted in the calculator.
Example: Electricity
https://app.electricitymaps.com/map/72h/hourly
Here you can see the emissions for each country. These can be entered into the calculator as externally determined emissions based on the consumption incurred, noting the date.
This should be taken into account, for example, when filming in countries that do not offer film-specific calculators.
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You can find all the information you need here: