Zürcher Filmstiftung supports professional, high-quality film and screen-based work in the Canton of Zurich, funding creators and companies from early development through production, marketing, and distribution. Its core focus is on strengthening local film culture and talent across feature film, series, animation, nonfiction, and script development, with a recent expansion into digital culture. The foundation appears to favor jury- or commission-reviewed project support for Zurich-based applicants, including both established professionals and emerging talent.
Annual Giving$12.7M
Focus Areas
Film ProductionSeries DevelopmentAnimationNonfiction / Documentary FilmScript and Project DevelopmentDigital Culture and Interactive Media
Giving Approach
Selective, program-specific grants awarded in multiple annual rounds through expert commissions or jury review; supports different stages of a project from development to production and release, with at least one talent-focused fast-track program and some recurring deadlines.
Want a Personalized Pitch for Zürcher Filmstiftung?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Weekly grant intelligence for social impact leaders. Curated opportunities, funding trends, and strategic insights — free.
Join 500+ social impact leaders. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy
Trusted by mission-driven teams at organizations nationwide
How to approach this funder
Check the foundation’s program-specific deadlines on its website and apply through the relevant online process; most programs require Zurich residency or majority-local production ties. For marketing/distribution support, applications must be submitted jointly by the production and distribution partners, and the digital culture pilot has a recurring deadline of October 1.
Notable grantees:
• Anja Kofmel
• Ruth Waldburger
• Claude Witz
• Claudia Schröter
• Michael Sennhauser
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Zürcher Filmstiftung that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $150K
Digitale Kultur – Stärkung des Ökosystems
digital cultureecosystem strengtheninginfrastructure+3 more
Who can apply: Projects must clearly benefit the digital culture ecosystem in the Canton of Zurich, be openly accessible, and not duplicate existing offerings already provided by educational institutions or private providers in the Zurich area.
Deadline: Applications can be submitted at any time; processed within about 6 weeks.
film distributionmarket analysisfestival launch+1 more
Who can apply: Available for films supported in production by the Zürcher Filmstiftung, and for eligible distribution firms under the foundation's rules; applications are handled electronically.
Deadline: No fixed dates; applications can be submitted at any time.
Opening soonCloses in 27 days (Jun 22, 2026)Award: Up to $600K
Fast Track
film productionyoung talentartistic films
Who can apply: Directed at new talent in directing or production; at least one member of the directing/production tandem must come from the newcomer pool; annual jury selects up to three winning projects.
Deadline: One annual intake; next visible deadline 22.6.2026.
film productionfeature filmsdocumentary films+3 more
Who can apply: Professionally active, independent production companies with a registered headquarters in the Canton of Zurich for at least two years; additional rules apply to co-productions, formats, TV productions and timing of work start.
Deadline: Multiple commission deadlines across the year.
Who can apply: Concepts must be jointly developed by production and distribution companies and submitted by the production company; a professional marketing strategy is expected.
Deadline: Multiple deadlines across the year for the relevant commission.
Who can apply: Capital companies (AG/GmbH) with at least one year of tax residence in the Canton of Zurich, independence from media companies and education institutions, majority Swiss-resident capital/management, and at least one third of project participants registered in Zurich for at least one year.
Deadline: Two annual cycles; next stated deadlines 1 May and 1 October (tbc).
digital cultureinteractive mediaprototype development
Who can apply: Capital companies (AG/GmbH) with at least one year of tax residence in the Canton of Zurich, independence from media companies and education institutions, majority Swiss-resident capital/management, and at least one third of project participants registered in Zurich for at least one year.
Deadline: Two annual cycles; next stated deadlines 1 May and 1 October (tbc).
Computer GamesExtended Reality (XR)Interactive narrative formats+1 more
Who can apply: Anträge in elektronischer Form; Registrierung auf der Onlineplattform erforderlich. Unterscheidung nach Marktpotenzial (mm) und ohne Marktpotenzial (om).
Deadline: Die nächste Eingabefrist ist am 1. Oktober (als wiederkehrender Eingabetermin angegeben).
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.