Austrian cinema battles funding cuts and on-set safety crises
The Austrian film industry is facing twin crises: financial instability and ongoing concerns over workplace safety. As budget cuts threaten production funding, industry leaders have also pushed for stronger protections against abusive behaviour on set. Both issues took centre stage at this year's Film Meeting in Vienna.
At the event, director Markus Schleinzer described the current financial strain as a potential 'swan song' for Austrian cinema. Actress Hilde Dalik echoed his concerns, warning that without urgent action, the industry would soon run out of money. Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu, head of the Film and Music Industry Association, stressed that streaming giants like Netflix must contribute fairly—or risk leaving screens dark.
Political talks are now underway to introduce a streaming levy. The proposal would redirect a share of international providers' Austrian revenues into domestic film funding. While no legal measures currently exist to enforce this, there is widespread agreement on its necessity.
Alongside financial pressures, the industry is addressing persistent safety issues. The 2025 annual report from #we_do! highlighted ongoing cases of power abuse and sexual harassment. In response, a new safeguarding framework has been developed, specifically designed for film production environments. The goal is to prevent abusive behaviour through clearer guidelines and accountability.
The Film Meeting made clear that Austrian cinema stands at a crossroads. Without new funding solutions, productions could stall, while the push for safer workplaces continues. Industry leaders now await concrete action on both the streaming levy and stronger on-set protections.
