Federal Association of Youth and Film

What Federal Association of Youth and Film does

Bundesverband Jugend und Film e.V. (BJF), the Federal Association of Youth and Film, is a Frankfurt am Main-based non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded on October 31, 1970 as the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Jugendfilmclubs. It is the central German organization for children's and youth film work, serving approximately 900 members comprising individuals, youth workers, media educators, schools, youth centers, media centers, and state-level associations (Landesverbände) across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. Its primary beneficiaries are children and young people aged 6–26, with a recent extension into early-childhood cultural education via the Netzwerk Frühkindliche kulturelle Bildung.

The association operates a platform-centered portfolio of film services. Its core technology is the BJF-Clubfilmothek (bjf.clubfilmothek.de) and the newly launched BJF-KurzFilmVerleih (kurzfilm.clubfilmothek.de) — online lending platforms for DVD and MP4 rentals of a curated 500+ film catalogue with non-commercial public screening rights. It runs the Werkstatt der Jungen Filmszene (youth film festival, 61st edition in 2026 with nearly 400 submissions), the BJF-Jahrestagung annual conference, the BJF-Jugend Filmjury, and the Movies in Motion program under the federal Kultur macht stark funding initiative (which has created over 4,000 local alliances reaching ~1.5 million children since 2013). Underlying infrastructure uses KUMASTA for grant applications and embeds YouTube and Vimeo content.

BJF's revenue model combines four streams: (1) recurring annual membership dues from ~900 members, (2) transactional film licensing revenue at €40 per feature and €20 per short under special programmes like Tag der OKJA, with long-term V+Ö licenses up to 10 years, (3) managed-services-style government funding via the Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend through the Kinder- und Jugendplan des Bundes (KJP) and the BMBF's Kultur macht stark programme (Movies in Motion grants up to €30,000 per project), plus partial support from Hessenfilm und Medien for the annual conference, and (4) transactional workshop and film-camp fees (e.g., €50/camp participant). The organization is recognized as charitable (gemeinnützig) by the Finanzamt Frankfurt am Main III and is registered in the Vereinsregister at Amtsgericht Frankfurt/Main under VR5949.

Name

Federal Association of Youth and Film

Legal name

Bundesverband Jugend und Film e.V.

Website

https://bjf.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Bundesverband Jugend und Film (BJF) is a 55-year-old Frankfurt-based non-profit association that operates Germany's central platform for children's and youth film work, providing a curated 500+ film lending library, an annual youth film festival, and federal-funded cultural education programmes to ~900 members and young people aged 6–26.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Film Education Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s & Youth Educational Entertainment (Edutainment) (EDAGALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Theatrical Distribution (Educational, Airlines, Cruise, Community) (MPADAJAJ), Campus & Educational Screenings (Universities, Schools) (MPADAKAI), Media Center & Audiovisual Lending Operations (Equipment Checkout, Production Support) (EDAEAGAG)

Keywords

• Youth film education
• Film lending library
• Media literacy programs
• Cultural education services
• Youth film festivals

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfort

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Annual membership fees from approximately 900 members including individuals, institutions, and state-level associations (Landesverbände). Membership provides access to film lending, services, and community benefits.
2. Film licensing and rental: Revenue from renting films via the BJF-Clubfilmothek (DVD and MP4 formats) and short film portal (KurzFilmVerleih) for non-commercial public screenings. Special pricing: €40 for feature films, €20 for shorts under the Tag der OKJA programme. Long-term licenses (up to 10 years) also sold.
3. Government funding and grants: Core activities funded by the Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend through the Kinder- und Jugendplan des Bundes (KJP). 'Movies in Motion' projects funded under 'Kultur macht stark – Bündnisse für Bildung'. Partial funding of annual conference by Hessenfilm und Medien.
4. Workshop and seminar fees: Fees from workshops and film camps, including summer camps (e.g., Movie Maker Sommercamp Dresden at €50/person, reduced to €15 with Dresden-Pass). Some workshops offered free of charge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Bundesverband Jugend und Film e.V. operates a curated film lending library and distribution service for youth and educational film use, complemented by a portfolio of film education programs including workshops, festivals, jury programs, and filmmaker scouting. Its digital platforms (BJF-Clubfilmothek and KurzFilmVerleih) allow members and partner institutions to access licensed films for non-commercial educational use, while its programs train young filmmakers and promote media literacy among children and youth.

Product overview

The BJF operates a platform-centered portfolio of film-related services for children and youth. The core offering is the BJF-Clubfilmothek, a curated film lending library for non-commercial screenings, supplemented by the BJF-KurzFilmVerleih short film portal. The BJF organizes the annual Werkstatt der Jungen Filmszene film festival for young filmmakers and the BJF-Jahrestagung annual conference. Through the Movies in Motion program (funded by 'Kultur macht stark'), the organization supports youth-led film projects with grants. The BJF-Jugend Filmjury engages youth in film curation and moderation. State-level film associations provide regional workshops and seminars. The BJF-Magazin serves as the triannual membership publication, and the FilmPerlenTauchen package enables customized film event organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BJF-Clubfilmothek: Film rental service for non-commercial public screenings, offering DVDs and digital copies of children's and youth films with accompanying pedagogical materials.
• Junge Filmszene
• Movies in Motion
• Werkstatt der Jungen Filmszene
• BJF-Jugend Filmjury

Products and services

• BJF-Clubfilmothek Online film lending library for institutional and individual members, providing curated, copyright-cleared youth films for non-commercial educational and cultural use in schools, youth centers, and media centers.
• KurzFilmVerleih Online distribution portal for short films by young filmmakers, offering curated programs of short films for educational and non-commercial exhibition.
• Werkstatt der Jungen Filmszene National workshop program for young filmmakers, providing training, networking, and project development opportunities in the German youth film scene.
• Jugend Filmjury National youth film jury program that engages young people in watching and evaluating current German film releases, with results published through the federation.
• Bundes.Festival.Film National youth film festival organized by the federation, showcasing films by young filmmakers and providing exhibition, jury, and networking opportunities.
• Filmscout Young filmmaker scouting program that identifies and supports emerging young filmmakers for participation in the federation's workshop and festival programs.
• BJF Service Service division of the federation providing film licensing, distribution logistics, and member support services for partners and institutional members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,000 local 'Kultur macht stark' alliances created reaching approx. 1.5 million children and adolescents since 2013
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• International Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart (ITFS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 April 2027The ITFS (April–May 2027) is listed as a festival partner. BJF promotes the festival via its Junge Filmszene platform and members can accredit as trade visitors.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Offene Kinder- und Jugendarbeit (BAG OKJA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2026BJF participates in the annual 'Tag der OKJA' (Tag der Offenen Kinder- und Jugendarbeit) campaign by offering 10 films at special rates (€40 for feature films, €20 for shorts) with non-commercial public screening rights, enabling OKJA institutions to organize film events for children and teenagers during the action days.
• LUCAS - Internationales Festival für junge FilmfansminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 September 2026Listed as a partner festival on the BJF Junge Filmszene platform. BJF members can accredit as trade visitors at the festival.
• DOK LeipzigminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 September 2026BJF promotes DOK Leipzig's Kids DOK, Young Eyes, and DOK Bildung programmes for children and young people. BJF members can accredit as trade visitors.
• Kinematheksverbund (Cinema Prize of the Kinematheksverbund)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 September 2026Leonie Rieth, BJF's Public Relations Officer, served as a juror for the Kinematheksverbund's Cinema Prize, evaluating entries with a focus on offerings for children and adolescents.
• AG Kino – Gilde artiller FilmtheaterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2026The AG Kino has partnered with BJF since 2020 to establish a three-member FKM Youth Jury in cooperation with the BJF-Jugend Filmjury. BJF youth jury members select the three most important films for young audiences from the Filmkunstmesse Leipzig (FKM) programme, and BJF organizes a networking meeting at the fair.
• Filmfest DresdenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 September 2026The 39th Filmafest Dresden (April 2027) is listed as a festival on the BJF's Junge Filmszene platform, which promotes youth-accessible film festivals. BJF members can accredit as trade visitors.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft (BAG) Zirkuspädagogik e.V. / Zirkus macht starkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2026BJF joined the broader 'Kultur macht stark' advocacy campaign led by BAG Zirkuspädagogik, participating in a postcard action where over 3,000 children painted postcards delivered to the Federal Minister for Education in June 2026, advocating for programme continuation.
• DemokratieWagen FrankfurtminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 June 2026BJF provided films from its short film edition against right-wing radicalism for the Democracy Bus's film corner at the Frankfurt Museumsuferfest (August 2025). The bus is a 20-metre mobile experience space for democracy awareness.
• Nordische Filmtage LübeckminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025BJF organizes annual seminars at the Nordische Filmtage Lübeck focused on the 'Young Audience' film section. Activities include film screenings, live podcasts with directors, and networking events for the children's and youth film community.
• Filmfest München (CineKindl)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2025BJF organizes annual seminars at Filmfest München around the CineKindl competition programme for young film fans aged 5–99. Activities include lectures, workshops, and discussions on children's film events.
• Filmtage Globale PerspektivenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2025The BJF-Jugend Filmjury partnered with Filmtage Globale Perspektiven (May 2026 in Frankfurt) for the second consecutive year. Jury members selected the 'Best Cinema Film for Young Audiences' distributor prize from six nominated films.
• Landesfachtage Kulturelle Teilhabe Baden-WürttembergminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2025BJF conducted a workshop titled 'Jugend bewegt Film – Jugendliche als aktive Akteur*innen in Filmveranstaltungen' at the 2025 Landesfachtage Kulturelle Teilhabe in Stuttgart, focusing on youth participation in film events.
• Netzwerk Frühkindliche kulturelle BildungminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025BJF joined the 'Netzwerk Frühkindliche kulturelle Bildung' (Network for Early Childhood Cultural Education) in 2025, advocating for film as a key element of cultural participation from the earliest age.
• Netzwerk Film & DemokratieminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020BJF is a member of the 'Netzwerk Film & Demokratie' (Network Film & Democracy), founded in 2020, which is a coalition of film and media organizations that oppose right-wing extremist and right-wing populist influence on media creators, media content, and media culture. The network advocates for democracy ahead of state elections.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kinderfilmwelt München (Kinderfilmfest): Organizer of children's film festivals and education programmes in Munich. BJF runs seminars at Filmfest München's CineKindl programme alongside Kinderfilmwelt, making it a directly comparable festival + film education peer for young audiences.
• Vision Kino gGmbH: German non-profit network for film and media education in schools, operating programmes like 'Kinokultur' and 'Schule im Kino'. Directly comparable to BJF as it serves the same institutional and educator segments with film education offerings, though with a stronger schools focus.
• AG Kino – Gilde deutscher Filmkunsttheater: Association of independent German art-house cinemas. Partner of BJF since 2020 in establishing the FKM Youth Jury; operates in adjacent film exhibition and programming space serving similar cultural and educational mandates.
• SCHLINGEL International Film Festival: International film festival for children and young audiences held annually in Chemnitz, Germany. Directly comparable as a youth-focused film festival competing for the same young filmmaker submission pool and audience.
• Internationales Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart (ITFS): Major international animation festival with dedicated programmes for young audiences. Listed as a BJF partner festival and competes in the same animation/film-for-youth festival calendar segment.

Broad incumbents

• Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA): German federal film board that funds and supports the German film industry including children's film production. BJF is a downstream beneficiary and partner; comparable as a national institution shaping children's film policy and funding.
• European Children's Film Association (ECFA): European-level umbrella organization for children's and youth film. ECFA runs the ECFA Award and Best Practice Seminar which BJF participates in. Comparable mission of promoting children's/youth film culture but at a pan-European rather than national level.
• KiKA (Der Kinderkanal): Public children's TV channel jointly operated by ARD and ZDF in Germany. Adjacent peer as a major children's media brand but operates in broadcasting rather than film lending/education; significant overlap in target audience (children 6-13).
• Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum (DIF): Frankfurt-based German film institute and museum that operates film education programmes and curates film collections. Adjacent peer in the German film education ecosystem with comparable cultural mission and Frankfurt presence.

Others

• Bundesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung (BKJ): German umbrella association for cultural education that includes BJF among member organizations. Provides sector-wide advocacy and research in cultural youth education; comparable as a peer network organization but with broader cultural scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BJF.info
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bundesverband-jugend-und-film
• Instagraminstagram.com/bundesverbandjugendundfilm

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Federal Association of Youth and Film