What Ifage does

IFAGE Filmproduktion GmbH is a privately held German film production company headquartered in Wiesbaden (with additional offices in Köln and München), founded in 1932 and operating continuously for over 90 years. The company produces high-gloss documentaries, documentary dramas, reportages, music documentaries, docu-series, and children's educational programming on a commissioned basis for German and European public broadcasters. Its core product portfolio includes the TERRA X documentary franchise for ZDF (covering history, science, and exploration), the long-running 'Triff...' children's educational series for KiKA/WDR/HR featuring presenter Clarissa Corrêa da Silva, ZDF's 'plan b' social-issue documentary strand, and a broad slate of single documentaries on cultural, historical, and social topics.

The business operates on a professional services / commissioned production model. Revenue is generated through negotiated production fees paid by commissioning broadcasters, with co-production arrangements involving partners such as crossmedia (for the 'Triff...' series), IFAGE LOGO, and broadcaster co-financing. IFAGE does not sell directly to end consumers; distribution is handled exclusively through broadcaster networks and their streaming/Mediathek platforms (ZDFmediathek, ARTE Mediathek, KiKA Mediathek). The company's primary customer segment is German public broadcasters (ZDF, KiKA, WDR, ARTE, 3sat, ZDFinfo), with a recent expansion into commercial broadcaster sat.1 for the 'So Gesehen' format starting 2026.

IFAGE operates as a member of the Tellux-Gruppe, a conglomerate of European film production companies that provides access to a network of production locations across Europe and shared infrastructure. The company holds no proprietary technology platform; its production capabilities are built on creative talent, established broadcaster relationships, and accumulated content expertise rather than technology products. Industry recognition includes an International Emmy nomination (2023, 'Triff Anne Frank'), two Goldener Spatz awards (2020, 2023), and an ABU Award (2020). Management consists of two Geschäftsführer (Managing Directors): Andrea Haas-Blenske and Volker Schmidt-Sondermann.

Name

Ifage

Legal name

IFAGE Filmproduktion GmbH

Website

https://ifage.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IFAGE Filmproduktion GmbH is a Wiesbaden-based German film production company (founded 1932) producing commissioned documentaries, docu-dramas, and children's educational programming for major German public broadcasters including ZDF, KiKA, ARTE, WDR, and 3sat.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Documentary Film Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries (MPADADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Branded Documentary & Purpose-Driven Content (MPADAEAJ)

Keywords

• Documentary film production
• Children's educational programming
• Commissioned TV production
• Broadcast content services
• Historical documentary series

Headquarters

HQ city

Wiesbaden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commissioned TV Production: IFAGE generates revenue by producing documentary films, documentary dramas, reports, music documentaries, docu-series, and children's programming commissioned by public broadcasters such as ZDF, KiKA, WDR, ARTE, and 3sat. Revenue is derived from production fees and co-production arrangements with broadcast partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IFAGE Filmproduktion GmbH is a German film production company founded in 1932 that produces commissioned documentary films, documentary dramas, reportages, music documentaries, and children's educational programming for major German public broadcasters such as ZDF, KiKA, WDR, ARTE, 3sat, and ZDFinfo. Its flagship lines include the high-gloss TERRA X documentary series for ZDF, the time-travel children's series "Triff..." (Meet...) for KiKA, and the social-issue plan b series for ZDF, with co-production partners including crossmedia and IFAGE LOGO.

Product overview

IFAGE Filmproduktion GmbH is a German film production company founded in 1932, producing high-quality documentaries, docu-dramas, reports, music documentaries, children's series, and TV series for national and international markets. The company operates as part of the Tellux Gruppe network. Its core products include TERRA X documentaries for ZDF, the 'Triff...' (Meet...) children's series for KiKA featuring time-travel host Clarissa Corrêa da Silva meeting historical figures, plan b social documentaries for ZDF, and various documentary/reportage productions covering topics from history, music, church issues, and society. The portfolio spans high-gloss historical documentaries, children's educational programming, music documentaries, and current affairs reports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TERRA X Documentaries High-gloss documentary series produced for ZDF's TERRA X brand, covering history, science, and exploration topics such as the history of hot air ballooning and the history of the Prince of Wales title. Targeted at adult audiences via ZDF and ZDFinfo broadcast and streaming.
• "Triff..." (Meet...) Children's Series Children's documentary series featuring host Clarissa Corrêa da Silva traveling through time to meet famous historical figures (Anne Frank, Mozart, Frida Kahlo, Socrates, Queen Elizabeth II, Bertha von Suttner, Astrid Lindgren, Muhammad Ali, and others). Produced for KiKA, co-commissioned with WDR and HR, with co-production partner crossmedia. The format has run for over 7 years.
• plan b Documentaries ZDF documentary series focusing on social issues, sustainability, and innovative solutions to societal challenges (e.g., plan b: Gefängnis ohne Mauern, Klimaschutz im Krankenhaus). Commissioned by ZDF in cooperation with ARTE.
• Church Documentaries and Reportages Documentary productions focusing on church-related social topics, including church asylum (Letzte Hoffnung – Kirchenasyl, aired on ZDF at Pentecost 2024) and the impact of church closures on German communities (Kirche zu – was jetzt?, aired April 2025).
• So Gesehen (TV Format Contributions) Religious/spiritual content segments produced for the sat.1 commercial broadcaster's "So Gesehen" format, featuring stories about values and meaning in life. Contributions air from January 2026 onward.
• Neue Deutsche Welle Documentary Trilogy Three-part documentary series commissioned by ZDFinfo in 2023 exploring the German New Wave music movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• Music Documentaries Music documentaries covering various genres and musical topics, including the Kraft der Chöre (Power of Choirs) production about four different choirs (refugee children, inclusive pub choir, gospel choir, senior choir). Broadcast on ZDF and co-produced with ARTE.
• Cultural and Historical Documentaries (ARTE co-productions) Cultural and historical documentaries co-produced with ARTE for cross-border German-French broadcast, covering topics such as stunts, tattoos, Japanese tattooing traditions, dachshunds, and the relationship between Romy Schneider and her mother Magda Schneider.

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Tellux-GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFAGE is a member of the Tellux-Gruppe, a group of European film production companies. As part of the group, IFAGE is embedded in a network of European production locations and benefits from shared resources, broadcaster relationships, and strategic alignment. The group's logo appears on IFAGE's website footer.
• crossmediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFAGE co-produces the 'Triff...' children's educational series with crossmedia. Multiple 'Triff...' episodes (Triff Anne Frank, Triff Paulus, Triff Mozart, Triff Frida Kahlo, Triff Astrid Lindgren, Triff Bertha von Suttner, Triff Muhammad Ali, Triff Sokrates, Triff Queen Elisabeth II.) list crossmedia as co-producer alongside IFAGE and commissioning broadcaster KiKA.
• KiKA (Kinderkanal von ARD und ZDF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKiKA is the primary commissioning and co-producing partner for IFAGE's 'Triff...' children's educational series. Productions are made 'im Auftrag von KiKA' (on behalf of KiKA). The 'Triff...' format has been running for over 7 years, producing episodes on historical and cultural figures.
• ZDFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZDF is the most significant commissioning broadcaster for IFAGE, commissioning major documentary productions including Terra X series (Die SPEKTAKULÄRSTEN MEILENSTEINE DER BALLONFAHRT, Terra X History: Die Prinzen von Wales, Terra X: Was die Welt am Laufen hält trilogy), reportages (plan b series), and feature documentaries (Kirche zu – was jetzt, Letzte Hoffnung – Kirchenasyl).
• ARTEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARTE co-produces and broadcasts IFAGE documentaries including 'Stunts – Das Leben aufs Spiel setzen?', 'Tattoos – Trend oder Tradition', 'Japans tätowierte Helden', 'Mehr als Musik – Die Kraft der Chöre!', 'Der Dackel', 'plan b: Gefängnis ohne Mauern', and 'Klimaschutz im Krankenhaus'. ARTE serves as co-commissioning broadcaster with international reach across Germany and France.
• WDRmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWDR commissions IFAGE productions for children's educational series including 'Triff Mozart', 'Triff Bertha von Suttner', 'Triff... berühmte Herrscherinnen' (animated shorts), and 'Triff Eleonore von Aquitanien'. Productions listed as 'im Auftrag des WDR'.
• IFAGE LOGOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFAGE co-produces with IFAGE LOGO for certain productions such as 'Der Dackel' (documentary about dachshunds, co-produced with ARTE for ZDF). Appears to be a related or sister entity within the IFAGE production network.
• 3satmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner3sat commissioned the documentary 'Superkraft Motivation – Willensstark zum Ziel' (broadcast January 25, 2024 at 20:15). The production is listed as 'im Auftrag des ZDF/3sat'.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Crossmedia GmbH: German independent production company specializing in documentary and factual programming, with which IFAGE already co-produces the Triff... children's series. Most direct peer: same customer base (KiKA, ZDF, ARTE), same documentary/children's genre focus, and direct working relationship as a co-producer on IFAGE's flagship franchise.
• Brainpool TV GmbH: German independent production company producing entertainment, scripted, and factual programming for German broadcasters. Direct peer in the German commissioned TV production market, competing for similar public-broadcaster commissions though more weighted toward entertainment formats than IFAGE's documentary focus.
• Studio Hamburg Production Group: German production company producing TV movies, series, and documentaries for NDR and other public broadcasters. Direct peer: it produces commissioned documentary and factual content for the same pool of German public broadcasters as IFAGE and operates at similar mid-size scale with a comparable public-broadcaster customer mix.
• Polyphon Film- und Fernsehgesellschaft: Hamburg-based German production company with a long history producing documentaries, entertainment, and factual programming for German public broadcasters. Direct peer to IFAGE in the German public-broadcaster documentary commissioning space with overlapping customer relationships (ZDF, ARD members).
• Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion: Long-established German independent production company producing documentaries, docu-dramas, and factual series primarily for ZDF and ARD. Highly comparable to IFAGE: similar age, similar public-broadcaster focus, similar documentary/children's portfolio, and similar mid-market independent production positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Telepool GmbH: German sales and production company handling international distribution and co-financing for European content producers, including documentary and TV productions. Comparable as a German-language content ecosystem participant that interfaces with broadcasters on IFAGE's behalf, though with a broader distribution and licensing scope than IFAGE's pure production focus.
• UFA GmbH: Germany's largest independent TV production company and a Bertelsmann subsidiary producing scripted and non-scripted programming for German public broadcasters including ZDF and ARD members. Most comparable as a large incumbent documentary/TV production peer that competes for the same public-broadcaster commissioning slots as IFAGE, but at substantially greater scale.
• Bavaria Film GmbH: One of Germany's largest and oldest film production and studio-operating companies, producing TV films, series, and documentaries. Comparable to IFAGE as a heritage German production house serving public broadcasters, but at substantially larger scale and with broader portfolio including studio operations and distribution.
• ZDF Enterprises GmbH: The international sales, distribution, and co-production arm of ZDF, handling global licensing and co-financing for German-language content. Comparable as a player in the same commissioning/distribution ecosystem as IFAGE — and notably, the same broadcaster (ZDF) is both IFAGE's largest customer and parent of this entity — making it a partial adjacent rather than direct competitor.
• ARD Degeto Film: Centralized fiction and film commissioning subsidiary of ARD, Germany's largest public-broadcasting consortium, which commissions and acquires content on behalf of all regional ARD members. Comparable as a German public-broadcaster commissioning entity with overlapping customer remit, but operating as in-house broadcaster commissioning rather than as an independent production company like IFAGE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ifage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifage-filmproduktion-gmbh

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 Ifage