ProQuote Film presents commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion

In preparation for the PQF Congress at the 75th Berlinale, ProQuote Film, together with the experts Birgit Moldaschl (Deputy Gender & Diversity Officer, Austrian Film Institute), Esther Gronenborn (former Board Member of PQF & Director), Katja Dunkel (DUNKEL* Lawyers), Rebecca Richter (RICHTER Legal), Joana Kohrs (Black Universe Agency & On Set Awareness Officer), Inga Becker (Diversity & Inclusion Advisor, MOIN Film Funding), and Annarina Kemnitz (DE&I Manager, Bavaria Film Group), developed a commitment with the following wording:

Commitment

We, the undersigned production companies, film funding institutions, broadcasters, filmmakers, and organizations, are firmly committed to a diverse, inclusive, and fair film and media industry. This is the foundation for our future sustainability and the quality of our work. Our goal is to initiate positive change and create sustainable structures that promote diversity, equality, and inclusion. With this statement, we reaffirm our shared aspiration for a modern, competitive, and fairer industry. To this end, we commit to the following goals:

1. Realistic Representation in Front of and Behind the Camera

Goal: Our goal is to create a film and media industry that reflects the diversity of our society and fosters individuals with experiences of structural discrimination. We will ensure that people from diverse backgrounds are represented both in front of and behind the camera, as well as in production teams.

Possible measures to achieve this goal:

• Diverse representation in funding committees
• Incentives (e.g., Gender Incentives)
• Development of a step-by-step plan to gradually increase gender equality and diversity through a percentage-based quota in all creative key positions
• Targeted casting calls / crew calls
• Regular training, such as Anti-Bias, inclusive language, and target-group-oriented awareness workshops
• Inclusion Rider

2. Diversity Monitoring

Goal: We will ensure that diversity is not only an aspirational goal but is actively lived and promoted. A regular collection of team compositions and the content being told is essential for this.

Possible measures to achieve this goal:

• Creation of an annual diversity report (in front of and behind the camera)
• Participation in OMNI Inclusion data collection
• Monitoring the “on-screen” diversity in our own productions (see UFA https://www.ufa.de/karriere/arbeiten-bei-der-ufa/ufa-erstes-deutsches-unterhaltungsunternehmen-mit-diversitaets-selbstverpflichtung) or in funded/commissioned productions

3. Prevention of Discriminatory and Violent Behavior on Set

Goal: Our goal is to create a respectful, appreciative, and safe working environment where everyone feels comfortable and can develop freely. Discrimination and abuse of power have no place on set. We actively work to prevent these structures.

Possible measures to achieve this goal:

• Introduction and regular communication of the industry-wide Respect Code Film for professional and respectful collaboration
• Inclusive hair & makeup offerings
• External confidants to ensure awareness and management of sensitivity
• Creation of independent complaint offices outside of the employer position, within or outside of production companies
• For scenes involving violence and/or intimacy, ensure professional conditions: collaboration with stunt experts and intimacy coordinators
• Zero tolerance for any form of sexual harassment – verbal, non-verbal, and physical – as well as all other forms of violence and violent communication

4. Diversity- and Stereotype-Conscious Storytelling

Goal: Our goal is to tell stories for and about society in all its diversity. The quality and originality of our work is our priority, and we are aware of our societal responsibility as storytellers, film funders, and commissioners.

Possible measures to achieve this goal:

• Support for self-reflection regarding unconscious biases and stereotypes to address them consciously in storytelling (e.g., through guidelines with helpful questions, etc.)
• Involvement of experts and people with lived experience in content development and decision-making processes for funding
• ÖFI Inclusion Check, MOIN Diversity Checklist, Impulse papers from WIFT and other industry partners on age and the portrayal of gender-based violence
• Collaboration with inclusive networks such as Pro Quote Film, Queer Media Society, Black Filmmakers Germany, etc.

5. Feedback Loop

We will inform ProQuote Film in writing in the coming weeks about the measures that will be implemented within our company as part of the commitment.

Berlin, February 14, 2025