Amid a climate marked by political divisions and ideological debates at the Berlin International Film Festival, the FutureNARRATIVE Fund (FNF) was launched in the German capital this week, a new initiative aimed at boosting German-Israeli co-productions and fostering collaboration between artists working across film, television and theatre.

The fund was officially unveiled during a co-production gathering that brought together around 50 cultural and audiovisual professionals from both countries, including representatives from public funding bodies, broadcasters, production companies and studios. The initiative seeks to build a long-term infrastructure for collaboration, in contrast to what its founders describe as largely symbolic gestures in the past.

Speaking at the inaugural event, FNF board member Lili Nagler said the fund would provide “a practical framework for filmmakers from Germany and Israel to meet, exchange ideas, work together and become friends and colleagues to build a better future for both countries.” She added that cooperation today carries a sense of responsibility: “When narratives are distorted, we cannot remain silent. We need professional structures that ensure our perspectives are visible.”

Producer and composer Mark Pinhasov stressed that the focus will be on projects with genuine international reach. “We are not building symbolic bridges, but concrete working relationships — with strong partners and projects capable of standing their ground internationally,” he said. “Culture has the power to rebuild trust and generate social impact.”

According to the organisers, the FNF will be financed through a mix of private investors, sponsorships from the film and cultural sectors, and public funding. This diversified approach, they said, will safeguard the fund’s independence while ensuring a sustainable long-term strategy. The programme will be open to both emerging and established talent from the two countries.

Beyond financial support, the fund aims to create a structured network for exchange, encouraging collaboration between producers, broadcasters, directors and cultural institutions, with the stated goal of supporting projects that counter stereotypes and prejudice through nuanced narratives and shared perspectives.

Industry figures attending the launch included FFA president Kirsten Niehuus; Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg managing director Sarah Duve-Schmid; and Pnina Halfon Lang, artistic director of the Israeli Content Marketing Foundation. Producers and executives present included Danna Stern, Johann Buchholz (Friday Films), Nataly Kudiabor and Marc Lepetit (UFA), Christian Honeck (Disney), Carolin Halperin (RBB/ARTE), and representatives from Studio Hamburg, alongside filmmakers Yaelle Kayam, Shirel Peleg and Dror Zahavi.

The FNF’s first event, organised in partnership with Berlin’s Babylon cinema, will be a screening of Tom Shoval’s documentary A Letter To David – The Complete Version on Friday, February 20, attended by the filmmakers and brothers David and Eitan Cunio.

Although not openly addressed during the launch, the political backdrop weighed heavily on the initiative. In recent months, several Israeli productions have faced international backlash in the context of the war in Gaza. Israeli producers speaking off the record said it has become increasingly difficult to finance and sell stories linked to the country, amid fears of boycotts or protests.

Canadian producer Bill Marks, in Berlin to promote his new feature The Betrayers, set in Israel and Ukraine, said the Israeli component makes the project “toxic” for some buyers. “People are afraid a series or a film might trigger protests,” he said.