ProQuote Film sets new standards for a fairer film industry with leading production companies, broadcasters, and funding institutions – achieving an important success with 20 signed commitments.
Under the motto “Learning by Doing – Diversity as a Success Factor,” ProQuote Film invited participants to an exclusive Fishbowl discussion on February 14, 2025, during the 75th Berlinale. The event offered an opportunity to reflect on already implemented inclusion and diversity strategies and share best practices with the panelists Yvonne Abele (Saxonia Media), Christine Hartmann (Studio Zentral), Philipp Käßbohrer (btf), Christoph Pellander (ARD Degeto Film), as well as on the hot seat, Helge Albers (MOIN) and Norina Lin-Hi (FFA).
The speakers’ experiences complemented the guidelines developed by experts for a DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) self-commitment, which aims to provide practical support. In light of the abolition of the diversity advisory board in the Film Funding Act (FFG), ProQuote Film is intensifying its initiative for a voluntary commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion (DE&I) – receiving widespread support within the industry.
In 2018, ProQuote Film, together with ARD Degeto Film, advocated for a self-commitment to a female director quota – with success: in 2024, Degeto exceeded the set quota in its main programming. This year, the group of participants was significantly expanded: In addition to Degeto, UFA, ndF:, FFA, MDR, Saxonia Media, Studio Hamburg Production Group, Constantin Film, Network Movie, Bavaria, and other leading production companies, film funding institutions, broadcasters, and filmmakers joined the initiative. After the discussions, several companies signed the self-commitment, including ndF, UFA, Studio Zentral, Studio Hamburg Production Group, Network Movie, btf, RISING GAZE, DREI SCHWESTERN Produktionen, and The Imposters.
Additionally, the self-commitments of the content companies Satel Film, Story House Productions, Bavaria Fiction, Bavaria Entertainment, and Saxonia Media from the Bavaria Film Group, as well as the fiction companies 307 Production, Amalia Film, Letterbox Filmproduktion, Nordfilm, Real Film Berlin, and Friday Film under the umbrella of SHPG were added.
A shared commitment to diversity
The signing companies and institutions are committed to a diverse, inclusive, and fair film and media landscape. Because only an industry that embraces diversity remains future-proof and sustainably ensures the quality of its productions.
With the shared self-commitment, the participants reaffirm their goal of actively shaping a modern, competitive, and fairer film industry. The agreement is based on four central goals: a Ceiling Quote, diversity monitoring, a safe working environment, and diversity- and stereotype-conscious storytelling.
Diversity as a success factor
The McKinsey study ‘Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters’ (2020) demonstrates that diversity is not only an ethical obligation but also an economic advantage. While DE&I measures are increasingly being questioned or even banned internationally – such as in the USA – ProQuote Film, with its initiative, is sending a clear signal against this global backlash.
“The film and television industry is undergoing profound change. Diversity is a key growth driver – the great interest in our event shows that the industry wants to actively work on its future, rather than leaving it to chance or politics.” – (Eva Maria Sommersberg, Board Member, PQF)
Opportunities through self-responsibility
With the abolition of the diversity advisory board, the responsibility for DE&I now lies with the companies. ProQuote Film sees this as an opportunity: without regulatory requirements, individual measures can be tested and further developed. A practical guide, developed by experts, provides orientation and support.
Next steps
After the event, a catalog of measures will be developed for the participants, summarizing the actions and practical diversity tools (e.g., OMNI inclusion, Filmmakers Script Analysis Tool) discussed during the Fishbowl discussion, and serving as a practical guide for the industry.
The self-commitments developed during the congress will be finalized in the coming weeks and adapted to the respective company strategies. A joint press release will then be published, naming the signing companies and institutions.
With this initiative, ProQuote Film reaffirms: The future of the film industry lies in diversity – and it begins now.
The Fishbowl discussion was funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, the Film Funding Agency, and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg. Sponsors of the subsequent networking event were the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, the Film Funding Agency, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, MOIN Filmförderung, ARD Degeto, Filmmakers, and BRLO Craft Beer.
