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Social and Cultural Institutions (SKE)
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VdFS dedicates a not inconsiderable portion of its income - based on legal requirements as well as voluntary deductions - to social and cultural purposes. In the area of social support, living cost allowances for members in distress, retirement allowances for cooperative members and support for legal and tax advice can be financed. |
In the cultural field, festivals, events and special cultural projects can be (co-)financed. In addition, VdFS supports education and training and contributes to the financing of professional associations of filmmakers. Furthermore, VdFS also offers services for non-members within the framework of the promotion of young filmmakers. |
Contact and Deadlines
Gudrun Glatz, BA und Judith Wiese
Current Deadlines:
The next deadline for submitting applications is August 25, 2023
We will usually inform you about the result of your application within four weeks after the submission deadline.
Formal requirements
The SKE guidelines apply to applicants for funding or grants. We ask you to observe them!
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In order to apply for social support, a written application must be submitted describing and documenting the hardship or extraordinary burden. Please send us your complete request by e-mail or mail.
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For cultural grants, we require a concept or description of the festival, event or projects to be supported. The request must be accompanied by an overall calculation and a financing plan, including a list of grants applied for and/or awarded by other institutions. In addition, please fill in the form with the acknowledgement of the SKE - guidelines and send us the collected information by mail or post. Applications for grants for training or continuing education must also be submitted in writing. The application must be received by us prior to completion of the training or continuing education. |
The following applies to each application:
Only complete applications can be considered. Send your digital application exclusively to ske@vdfs.at
In order to facilitate the processing of applications more efficiently, we request all applicants to designate the digitally transmitted documents as follows:
Year_Month_Day_surname_name_title
(E.g. 20_11_28_Muster_Judith_requestsocialassistance)
Social Support
In the area of social support, living cost subsidies for members of VdFS, retirement subsidies for cooperative members and support for legal and tax advice can be applied for. Furthermore, measures for education and training and contributions to the financing of professional associations of filmmakers and other film-related organizations are supported.
Please refer to the SKE guidelines and the following FAQs:
Who can apply for social support (cost of living allowance / education and training / legal and tax advice)?
Eligible to apply are physical persons who have concluded a performance contract with VdFS at least one year prior to the submission of the application.
Furthermore, the applicant must provide proof of at least 3 works registered with VdFS that can be credited in accordance with point II.6. of the distribution regulations. This number increases after 10 years of membership to at least 5 registered and accountable works.
The Board of Directors may, by unanimous decision, waive the 1-year deadline and/or the minimum number of registered and accountable works, if this appears necessary due to the particular hardship in the individual case.
What are the eligibility requirements for a living allowance?
A prerequisite for the granting of a one-off benefit per calendar year to support in the event of hardship or extraordinary burdens is that the economic existence of the applicant is significantly impaired by these at the time of the application.
Furthermore, the income in the calendar year of the claim for support may not exceed two and a half times the guideline rate of the equalization supplement pursuant to Section 293 (1) ASVG (12 times per year) (EUR 37,050.00). If there are maintenance obligations, this limit is increased by EUR 7,900 (maintenance per child) or EUR 15,960 (maintenance for partner) per calendar year (reference values 2020).
How does VdFS define the terms hardship and extraordinary burdens?
An emergency situation is deemed to exist if the costs of daily living cannot be met from one's own resources or if the fixed monthly costs exceed the monthly income over a longer period of time.
Extraordinary burdens include, for example, physical disability, medical treatment, need for nursing care, occupational disability, funeral costs and similar expenses. The purchase or renovation of necessary household appliances can also be supported. For a complete list, please refer to item 4.1.3. of the guidelines.
Does a living allowance have to be repaid?
If the income limit specified under Prerequisites was exceeded in the calendar year in which the subsidy was claimed, the awarded cost-of-living subsidy must be repaid in full. The check is carried out retrospectively on the basis of the legally binding income tax assessment notice for the calendar year in question. Please read the provisions under point 4.1.1.in the SKE guidelines.
How much is a living allowance?
The amount of the one-time grant is determined individually in each case. It amounts to a maximum of EUR 4,500 per calendar year.
How can I apply for a living allowance?
Please note the formal requirements! A written application must be submitted in which the hardship or extraordinary burden is explained and documented. Please use the application form for this purpose and send us the information and supporting documents listed therein by e-mail or mail.
When can an application be made for a living allowance?
In principle, applications can be submitted at any time, but please note the respective set-up deadlines. In quarterly meetings, all applications received by a deadline will be presented and dealt with. The deadlines will be published on this website and in our newsletters and will be communicated at any time upon request.
Can I also apply to the KSVF for support services?
The Artists' Social Insurance Fund (KSVF) also provides subsidies for support in cases of particular need, normally as a one-time payment or, in special cases, as a recurring cash benefit. Artists whose main residence is in Austria can apply for support at any time for the monthly meetings of the advisory board. Detailed information on how to apply to the KSVF can be found here (in German). Leitfaden des KSVF.
Who decides on the applications?
All applications are submitted to the SKE Committee and the VdFS Board of Directors after a formal preliminary review by the VdFS SKE Team and are decided by the latter. The VdFS Supervisory Board must confirm these decisions. Of course, all information is treated strictly confidentially.
When will I be informed about the result?
You will be informed of the result within four weeks. All applicants will be informed in writing after the respective Supervisory Board meeting. If an application is rejected, reasons are given for this rejection.
How do I apply for a grant for legal and tax advice?
Before seeking legal or tax advice, please send a written request by e-mail to ske@vdfs.at and describe what you are applying for this grant for.
Please note that the factual connection with your professional activity as a filmmaker or as a practicing artist in the audiovisual field must be given and must be proven. The grant of max. EUR 2,000 (excl. VAT) can be awarded once per calendar year.
Who can receive a retirement allowance from VdFS and according to what criteria?
Every full member (cooperative member) of VdFS may receive a monthly retirement allowance from VdFS upon reaching the statutory retirement age and under the condition that an annual income limit is not exceeded. A prerequisite is that the beneficiary has also been an ordinary member (cooperative member) of VdFS for at least 5 years. For details please refer to point 4.2. of the SKE guidelines.
Cultural grants
In the cultural field, festivals, events and special cultural projects can be supported. In addition, a grant can be applied for your education and training.
Please refer to our SKE guidelines and the following FAQs:
What are cultural benefits?
The funds of SKE can be used to support festivals and events, special cultural projects and organizations, associations or the like that serve to promote the economic, social and artistic interests of the beneficiaries, in addition to the social support that is to be given priority.
What should be considered when applying for support for festivals, events and special cultural projects?
The application must be accompanied by an overall calculation and a financing plan, including a list of grants applied for and/or awarded by other institutions. After the implementation of the festival, the event or after the completion of a project, we request an accounting based on the actual costs.
This must be accompanied by original receipts in the amount of the grant awarded by VdFS, which will be cancelled and returned by VdFS. An evaluation of the festival or event (number of guests, press review, etc.) must be enclosed with the statement of account.
What are the requirements for a grant for education and training?
Eligible to apply are physical persons who have concluded a performance contract with VdFS at least one year prior to the submission of the application.
Furthermore, the applicant must provide proof of at least 3 works registered with VdFS that can be credited in accordance with point II.6. of the distribution regulations. After 10 years of membership, this number increases to at least 5 registered and accountable works.
How do I apply for a grant for education and training?
Please send a written request by e-mail before taking advantage of the training or continuing education and describe the type of training or continuing education, its benefits and the expected costs (including travel expenses, if necessary; see Section 5.3.4.1 of the guidelines).
Please note that the objective connection with your professional activity as a filmmaker or artist in the audiovisual field must be given and proven.
How much is a grant for education and training?
The amount of the one-time grant is determined individually in each case. It amounts to a maximum of EUR 3,000 per calendar year.
Who decides on the respective applications?
All applications are submitted to the SKE Committee and the VdFS Board of Directors after a formal preliminary review by the VdFS SKE Team and are decided by the latter. The VdFS Supervisory Board must confirm these decisions. Of course, all information is treated strictly confidentially.
When will I be informed about the decision?
You will generally be informed of the result within four weeks. All applicants will be informed in writing after the respective Supervisory Board meeting. If an application is rejected, the reasons for this rejection will be given.
Subsidies for non-members
Within the framework of junior development, VdFS also offers services to non-members.
Please refer to our SKE guidelines and the following FAQs:
What is the VdFS junior development program?
SKE funds can also be used to award grants for the promotion of young filmmakers. These can be claimed by persons who are not yet members of the VdFS. This support is limited to filmmakers or performing artists in the audiovisual field up to a maximum age of 40 who belong to a professional group represented in the VdFS.
How much is the grant?
This grant amounts to a maximum of EUR 3,000 per calendar year and can be applied for to participate in an artistic competition.
For more information, please refer to point 5.3.5.1. of the guidelines.