Scout Film Production

What Scout Film Production does

Kundschafter Filmproduktion GmbH (operating as Scout Film Production) is a privately held German film and television production company founded in Berlin in August 2011 by managing directors Andreas Banz, Matthias Miegel, and Robert Thalheim. The company produces feature films, documentaries, and television series for the German and international market, with a thematic focus on social, political, and historical subjects translated into accessible, often humorous narrative forms. Its product portfolio spans three core categories: feature films (e.g., TKKG, Kundschafter des Friedens, Karigula, Der Prank), documentary films (e.g., Der Prinz und der Dybbuk, Das Hamlet Syndrom, Wagenknecht, Aggregat), and TV series and limited series (e.g., The Billion Dollar Code for Netflix, Höllental for ZDF, Eichwald, MdB for ARD, Das Nazi-Kartell for Sky).

The underlying technology consists of standard filmmaking equipment, production pipelines, and post-production workflows typical of a mid-sized European indie production house, with no proprietary technology stack or software product. Production is project-based and team-flexible, with a small permanent staff of approximately six (the three managing partners plus producers Charlotte Selbach, Jasmin Saunders, and Sarah Kuhwald) and extended freelance crews assembled per project. International co-productions are executed with partners in Spain, Chile, France, Poland, Hungary, Switzerland, the United States, and Bolivia, enabling financing and tax-incentive optimization.

The company monetizes through a mix of professional services (production fees), licensing and royalty streams (broadcasting rights to ZDF, ARD/SWR, arte, Sky; streaming rights to Netflix, ZDF Mediathek, ARD Mediathek; theatrical distribution via Warner Bros., DCM, Real Fiction, Majestic; international sales through Beta Film, Stray Dogs, and Magnetfilm), and non-dilutive public film funding from German federal and regional bodies (Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, FFA, BKM, MDM). The customer base is concentrated among German public broadcasters, pay-TV operator Sky, global SVOD Netflix, and public film funds, with final audiences reached through theatrical release, television broadcast, and streaming platforms.

Name

Scout Film Production

Legal name

Kundschafter Filmproduktion GmbH

Website

https://kundschafterfilm.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Scout Film Production (Kundschafter Filmproduktion GmbH) is a Berlin-based, privately held film and television production company producing feature films, documentaries, and series for German and international broadcasters, streaming platforms, and theatrical distributors since 2011.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Live-Action International/Co-Production & Service Production (MPADABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Branded Documentary / Nonfiction (Corporate & NGO) (MPADADAK)

Keywords

• Film production services
• Documentary production
• Feature film production
• Television series production
• International co-productions

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Film Production Services: Production of feature films, documentaries, and series commissioned by broadcasters or produced independently for theatrical release
2. Broadcasting Rights: Licensing of produced content to TV broadcasters including ZDF, ARD, SWR, arte, and Sky
3. Theatrical Distribution: Theatrical releases through distributors such as Warner Bros., DCM Film Distribution, Farbfilm, and Majestic
4. Streaming Platform Licensing: Content licensing to streaming platforms including Netflix, ZDF Mediathek, and ARD Mediathek
5. Film Funding: Public funding from German film financing bodies including Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, FFA, BKM, and regional film funds

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Scout Film Production (Kundschafter Filmproduktion) is a Berlin-based film production company that develops and produces feature films, documentaries, and television series for German and international audiences. The company works on commissioned projects for major German public broadcasters (ZDF, ARD, SWR, arte), pay-TV and streaming platforms (Sky, Netflix), and produces independent theatrical releases. Productions are financed through a mix of broadcaster commissions, public German film funding bodies, and co-production partnerships with European and Latin American producers.

Product overview

Kundschafter Filmproduktion GmbH is a German film production company founded in Berlin in August 2011, producing documentaries, feature films, and television series for the German and international market. The company operates as a production house with a portfolio of distinct products organized into three core categories: (1) Feature Films including comedies, dramas, and family entertainment; (2) Documentary Films examining social, political, and historical subjects; (3) TV Series/Limited Series produced for broadcasters including ZDF, ARD, Sky Deutschland, and Netflix. Notable productions include 'The Billion Dollar Code' (Netflix limited series), 'Das Hamlet Syndrom' (award-winning documentary), 'TKKG' (family film), 'Kundschafter des Friedens' comedy franchise, and 'Höllental' (true-crime series). The company collaborates with international co-producers and sells/distributes through partners including Warner Bros., Netflix, Sky, ZDF Enterprises, and various festival circuits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Feature Films Narrative feature films produced for theatrical release and distribution, spanning genres including comedy, drama, black comedy, family entertainment, and historical drama. For German and international cinema markets.
• Documentary Films Documentary productions examining social, political, and historical topics for cinema and television release, often addressing German and European contemporary themes.
• TV Series and Limited Series Television series and limited series produced for broadcast and streaming partners including ZDF, ARD, Sky Deutschland, and Netflix, spanning comedy, true-crime, and documentary formats.
• The Billion Dollar Code 2021 Netflix limited series (4 episodes) about German computer pioneers fighting for recognition as inventors of the Google Earth algorithm. First Netflix Original production for the company.
• Das Nazi-Kartell (The Nazi Cartel) 2025 three-part documentary series (3 episodes of 45 minutes each) for Sky Deutschland about Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie's involvement in establishing a narco-state in Bolivia.
• Der Prank – April, April! 2025 family/children's feature film about an April Fool's prank gone wrong. FSK 6 rating. Shot in Germany and Switzerland.
• Kundschafter des Friedens 2 (Scouts of Peace 2) Feature film sequel to the 2016 comedy, set in Cuba where former East German agents must save the last socialist bastion.
• Karigula – Monster der Liebe
• Das Hamlet Syndrom (The Hamlet Syndrome)
• Der Prinz und der Dybbuk
• Blanco en Blanco (White on White)
• TKKG
• Höllental
• Eichwald, MdB (Seasons 1 and 2)
• Eltern (Parents)
• Verliebt Verlobt Verloren (Far East Devotion)
• KIDA – von Beirut nach Berlin
• Wagenknecht
• Aggregat
• Big Dating
• ALMANIA

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple award wins at major festivals including Locarno, Venice, and German Television Award

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• mobyDOKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Documentary production company and co-producer of Das Nazi-Kartell docuseries for Sky.
• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021International streaming platform commissioning partner for The Billion Dollar Code mini-series. First Netflix production for Kundschafter.
• El Viaje FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Spanish co-production partner for Blanco en Blanco historical drama.
• Pomme Hurlante FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019French co-production partner for Blanco en Blanco.
• Don Quijote FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Chilean co-production partner for Blanco en Blanco.
• Film Art ProductionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Polish co-production partner for Der Prinz und der Dybbuk.
• Zero One FilmminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017German documentary production company and co-producer of Der Prinz und der Dybbuk.
• ZDFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2011Major German public broadcaster and key commissioning partner for documentaries and series. Co-producer of Kundschafter des Friedens, Eichwald, Höllental, and other productions through ZDF Das kleine Fernsehspiel.
• ARD/SWR/artecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2011German public broadcasting consortium. SWR and arte co-produce feature films and documentaries including Eltern, KIDA, and various series.
• Sky DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2011German pay-TV broadcaster. Co-producer of Kundschafter des Friedens and commissioned Das Nazi-Kartell documentary series.
• Medienboard Berlin-BrandenburgcoreOthers · 1 August 2011Regional film funding body providing production financing. Major funding source for most Kundschafter productions including TKKG, Eichwald, and others.
• FFA FilmförderungsanstaltcoreOthers · 1 August 2011German Federal Film Board providing production funding and support for theatrical releases.
• BKM (Beauftragter der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien)coreOthers · 1 August 2011German federal government cultural funding body supporting film productions.
• Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM)coreOthers · 1 August 2011Regional film funding for central Germany supporting documentaries and series.
• Warner Bros.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2011Film distributor for theatrical releases in Germany. Distributed TKKG family film.
• Delta FilmminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2011Co-production partner for TKKG feature film.
• Canal+ PolskaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2011Polish broadcaster and co-producer of Das Hamlet Syndrom documentary.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wüste Film: Hamburg-based German indie film and series producer with a comparable portfolio of artistically ambitious features, documentaries, and high-end TV (e.g., Tatort, dark comedy series). Competes for the same pool of German public broadcaster commissions and festival slots.
• Polyphon Film- und Fernsehgesellschaft: Hamburg-based indie producer of theatrical features and TV documentaries with German and international broadcasters. Similar-sized German production house with a portfolio of festival-pedigreed titles and broadcaster commissions.
• Letterbox Filmproduktion: Berlin-based indie producer of documentary and feature films, active in international co-productions. Comparable mid-sized Berlin production house competing in the same grant, festival, and broadcaster ecosystem.
• Ziegler Film: Berlin-based film and series production company with a portfolio mixing theatrical features and television work, often in collaboration with German public broadcasters. Direct competitive overlap on similar program slots.

Broad incumbents

• Studio Babelsberg: Germany’s most historic film studio and a major production company. Operates at significantly larger scale than Kundschafter and across both production services and original content, but competes for similar German-market feature commissions and co-production budgets.
• UFA GmbH: Largest German production house and a Bertelsmann subsidiary. Produces entertainment, scripted series, and TV movies at scale for ARD, ZDF, RTL, and Sky. The dominant in-house competitor for German broadcaster commissions that smaller producers like Kundschafter must win individually.
• Bavaria Film: Long-established Munich-based production and distribution group producing features, TV movies, and series for German broadcasters. Operates Bavaria Film Studios and competes for the same broadcaster commissions and theatrical co-financing as Kundschafter.
• Constantin Film: Major German production and distribution company behind franchise hits (Resident Evil, Werner) and TV series. Strong theatrical and TV distribution arm competes with Kundschafter’s distributor relationships; produces family and comedy content that overlaps with Kundschafter’s TKKG-style slate.
• Tobis Film: German film distributor and producer handling theatrical and home entertainment releases. Active in producing and co-financing German feature films, overlapping with Kundschafter’s theatrical distribution partnerships.

Others

• Beta Film: Germany’s largest independent content sales and distribution company. Not a direct competitor but a sales partner frequently used by German producers (including Kundschafter) for international rights — comparable customer-relationship layer for many of the same productions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scout Film Production