The Wind Down of the German Film and Media Evaluation Board
Classification of Films by Film Rating Institute - Film evaluation organization rates movies based on age-appropriateness and content suitability.
Straight talk
Tally-ho! The German Film and Media Evaluation Board (FBW), a staple in Wiesbaden, is about to shut its doors come 2025. Don't take my word for it, though - it's been confirmed jointly by the Hessian Ministry of Culture and the FBW themselves. So, why the closure?
Well, blame it on the fall of demand for film ratings and an unsustainable funding model, my friend.
Now, the FBW has been around since 1951, where its main mission was to assess films through independent juries and bestow them with the prestigious titles of "valuable" and "particularly valuable." Historically significant, indeed.
Last year, Hesse proposed to restructure the funding for the FBW, but it was met with denial from the Culture Ministers' Conference in the autumn. State Secretary Christoph Degen shared the disappointing news.
Hold on tight, because the uncertainty around the FBW's dissolution doesn't end here: Bettina Buchler, the director of the FBW, has suggested that the work of the FBW's youth film jury, the Filmjury, will persist after 2025.
In other words, the future for the Filmjury appears promising, while the fate of the FBW remains a mystery. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates, as I'll be sure to keep you in the loop!
- The announcement of the closure of the German Film and Media Evaluation Board (FBW) raises questions about the future of film finance and business in Hessen, Germany, and the entertainment industry.
- The proposed restructuring of funding for the FBW, along with the potential dissolution of the main board, could impact the independent film evaluation process and the prestigious titles awarded to films, potentially altering the landscape of German film and media.
