Ziegler Films
Ziegler Films is a privately held, family-owned German film and television production company founded in 1973, producing cinema features, TV films, crime and family drama series, and literary adaptations on commission for German public broadcasters (ZDF, ARD, ARTE) and partners such as SRF and X Verleih.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ziegler Films does
Ziegler Films (legal entity: ZIEGLER FILM GmbH & Co. KG) is a privately held, family-owned German film and television production company founded on 27 April 1973 by Regina Ziegler in Berlin with 60 Deutsche Mark of starting capital. The company operates from four German offices (Berlin headquarters at Neue Kantstr. 14, Köln, München, Baden-Baden) and produces cinema feature films, prime-time television movies, crime and family drama series, literary adaptations and documentaries for German public broadcasters. Across its five-decade history it has delivered more than 600 productions, including recurring franchise series such as Theresa Wolff, Lena Lorenz, Thüringenkrimi, Familie Bundschuh and Der Amsterdam-Krimi, prestige titles such as Volker Schlöndorff's Heimsuchung, and the internationally distributed Erotic Tales short-film anthology.
The business model is a traditional sales-led film production motion: one-time licensing and co-production commissions from German public broadcasters and their regional stations (ZDF, ARD via SWR/WDR/HR, ARTE, plus Swiss partner SRF), supplemented by theatrical distribution through partners such as X Verleih, festival sales, and public funding from bodies including DFFF, MFG Baden-Württemberg, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, FFF Bayern, Suissimage and Zürcher Filmstiftung. Films are produced as bilateral or multi-party co-productions (e.g., the German-Swiss Drowak with tellfilm, ARTE, SWR, WDR, HR and SRF). Pricing for production services is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated per project. Cross-promotion channels include Instagram, Facebook, the company website, press releases, and industry event hosting (annual Currywurst-Empfang at Berlinale, Weißwurst-Empfang at Filmfest München).
Ownership and governance are concentrated: Tanja Ziegler, daughter of founder Regina Ziegler, joined as Managing Director in February 2000 and has held the majority shareholding since 2006, making Ziegler Films the only mother-daughter-led production company in the German film industry. The firm is self-financed through production activities — no disclosed funding rounds, external investors, M&A, or public listing — and remains an independent, family-controlled enterprise of 11–50 employees recognized in third-party coverage as one of Germany's largest concern-independent film and TV production houses.
Ziegler Films firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ziegler Films
- Legal name
- ZIEGLER FILM GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://ziegler-film.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ziegler Films is a privately held, family-owned German film and television production company founded in 1973, producing cinema features, TV films, crime and family drama series, and literary adaptations on commission for German public broadcasters (ZDF, ARD, ARTE) and partners such as SRF and X Verleih.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ziegler Films industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Film and Television Production
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Distribution Strategy & Release Planning (MPADAAAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries (MPADADAJ)
Keywords
Where Ziegler Films is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Ziegler Films business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- TV Production Sales: Producing television films, series, and documentaries for German public broadcasters including ZDF, ARD, ARTE, SWR, SRF, WDR, and HR. Revenue is generated through production commissions and licensing deals with broadcasters.
- Cinema/Theatrical Production: Producing theatrical feature films distributed by partners such as X Verleih. Revenue generated through theatrical distribution, DVD sales, and subsequent licensing windows.
- Erotic Tales Short Film Series: Producing and licensing the Erotic Tales anthology series of short films to broadcasters and at international film festivals.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ziegler Films product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ziegler Films is a film and television production company that develops, finances, and produces theatrical cinema films, TV movies, recurring TV series, documentaries, and short film anthologies for German public broadcasters and theatrical distributors. Its output is sold/licensed to clients such as ZDF, ARD, ARTE, SWR, WDR, HR, and SRF, and distributed theatrically through partners such as X Verleih. The company also co-produces internationally with European partners such as Swiss tellfilm.
Product overview
Ziegler Film is a family-owned German film and television production company founded in 1973 by Regina Ziegler, now led alongside daughter Tanja Ziegler. The company operates as a multi-faceted entertainment production house with four main offerings: (1) Kino cinema productions featuring theatrical feature films including award-winning works; (2) TV Productions encompassing crime dramas, family series, and streaming content for major German broadcasters (ZDF, ARD, ARTE); (3) Erotic Tales, an internationally recognized series of short erotic films directed by notable filmmakers; and (4) a comprehensive Filmography Archive documenting over 600 productions spanning five decades. The company maintains offices in Berlin (headquarters), Köln, München, and Baden-Baden, and is recognized as one of Germany's largest independent film production houses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kino (Cinema Productions) Theatrical feature film productions for cinema release, including award-winning and festival-premiering films such as "Heimsuchung – Eine Jahrhundertgeschichte" (Cannes 2026 world premiere), "Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?" (German theatrical release February 19, 2026 via X Verleih), "In einem Land, das es nicht mehr gibt" (2021), and earlier works. Sold/distributed theatrically through partners such as X Verleih in German cinemas.
- TV Productions Television films and series produced for German public broadcasters including recurring franchises such as Thüringenkrimi, Theresa Wolff (ZDF), Lena Lorenz (ZDF), Familie Bundschuh (ARD), Der Amsterdam-Krimi, and adaptations of Sebastian Fitzek novels. Sold/licensed as production commissions to broadcasters ZDF, ARD, ARTE, SWR, WDR, HR, and SRF.
- Erotic Tales Series of short erotic films featuring international directors including Susan Seidelman, Rosa von Praunheim, and Melvin van Peebles. Includes titles such as "Der flämische Meister" (1993, Oscar-nominated for Short Fiction Film), "Can I Be Your Bratwurst, Please?" (1999), and others spanning 1993-2003. Licensed to broadcasters and screened at international film festivals.
- Filmography Archive Comprehensive archive cataloguing over 600 films, documentaries, and TV series produced since the company's founding in 1973, organized chronologically from 1973 through 2026.
Quantifiable outcome
- 600+ productions completed since 1973
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ziegler Films
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Ziegler Films technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ziegler Films partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- tellfilmcoreSwiss production company (tellfilm, Katrin Renz) was the main production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'. A German-Swiss co-production.
- SWRcoreSüdwestrundfunk (SWR) was a co-production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- SRFcoreSchweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) was a co-production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- WDRcoreWestdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) was a co-production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- HRcoreHessischer Rundfunk (HR) was a co-production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- Zieglerfilm MünchencoreZieglerfilm München (sister company) was a co-production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- MMC MoviesminorMMC Movies was a co-production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- ARTEcoreARTE was a co-production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?' and the Erotic Tales series
- BEWEGTE BILDERminorBEWEGTE BILDER was a co-production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- Edition TanjaminorEdition Tanja was a co-production partner for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- X VerleihcoreX Verleih is the theatrical distributor that brought 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?' to German cinemas since February 19, 2026
- Graf FilmcoreZIEGLER FILM and Graf Film jointly host the jury sessions for the International Emmy Awards with subsequent Cocktail Prolongé. This partnership has been ongoing for 10 years (as of 2025), marking the 8th time Berlin hosted the Semi-Final Round of Judging in 2023.
- MFG Baden-WürttembergminorMFG Baden-Württemberg (Medien- und Filmgesellschaft) provided funding for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- DFFFminorDFFF (German Federal Film Board) provided funding for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- Film- und Medienstiftung NRWminorFilm- und Medienstiftung NRW provided funding for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- FFH Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-HolsteinminorFFF Bayern (Film Fernseh Film) provided funding for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- SuissimageminorSwiss film funding body Suissimage provided funding for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
- Zürcher FilmstiftungminorZürcher Filmstiftung provided funding for 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?'
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ziegler Films competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MMC Movies: MMC Movies is a Cologne-based German independent production company producing TV films and event movies for public broadcasters. It is a direct peer, having co-produced 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?' with Ziegler Films, and is comparable in size and broadcaster-commissioned focus.
- Network Movie Film- und Fernsehproduktion: Network Movie is a Hamburg-based German production company focused on TV films and crime series for public broadcasters (ZDF, ARD). It is a close direct competitor to Ziegler Films in the broadcaster-commissioned TV-film segment.
- Constantin Film: Constantin Film is a leading German independent production and distribution company producing theatrical features, TV films, and series for German broadcasters. It is the closest direct peer to Ziegler Films in terms of genre mix (crime, family, literary adaptations) and broadcaster-customer base.
- Polyphon Film- und Fernsehgesellschaft: Polyphon is a German independent production company producing TV films, crime series, and event movies for ARD, ZDF, and ARTE. It is a direct peer to Ziegler Films in producing broadcaster-commissioned TV films and crime franchises (e.g., comparable to Theresa Wolff and Thüringenkrimi).
- Beta Film: Beta Film is a Munich-based German production and distribution company producing and licensing high-end TV series and films internationally, with strong broadcaster relationships. It is comparable to Ziegler Films in producing German-language premium content for public broadcasters, with greater international sales focus.
- Letterbox Filmproduktion: Letterbox is a Cologne-based German independent production house producing theatrical features and TV films, often in co-production with WDR and ARTE. It is comparable to Ziegler Films as a German independent producer with strong literary/arthouse credentials and public broadcaster co-productions.
- Tobis Film: Tobis Film is a German production and theatrical distribution company producing and releasing feature films in German cinemas. It is comparable to Ziegler Films as a domestic theatrical-film competitor, with distribution capability analogous to Ziegler's relationship with X Verleih.
Broad incumbents
- UFA (Bertelsmann's production arm): UFA is Germany's largest television production group, producing scripted series, entertainment, and drama for German broadcasters and streaming platforms. It is the dominant incumbent comparable to Ziegler Films on the TV production side, though UFA operates at significantly greater scale and as part of Bertelsmann.
- Bavaria Film: Bavaria Film is a major German film production and studio-services company based in Munich, producing TV films, series, and theatrical features for ARD and other public broadcasters. It is comparable to Ziegler Films in TV-film commissioning model and is a direct competitor for ARD/ZDF commissions.
- Studio Hamburg: Studio Hamburg is a major northern-German production house producing TV films, series, and theatrical features, including crime franchises for public broadcasters. It is comparable to Ziegler Films as another large independent German TV/film producer with a crime-drama franchise strategy.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ziegler Films social profiles
Digital presenceZiegler Films financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ziegler Films leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Ziegler Films funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ziegler Films M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ziegler Films
What does Ziegler Films do?
Ziegler Films is a film and television production company that develops, finances, and produces theatrical cinema films, TV movies, recurring TV series, documentaries, and short film anthologies for German public broadcasters and theatrical distributors. Its output is sold/licensed to clients such as ZDF, ARD, ARTE, SWR, WDR, HR, and SRF, and distributed theatrically through partners such as X Verleih. The company also co-produces internationally with European partners such as Swiss tellfilm.
Is Ziegler Films a public or private company?
Ziegler Films is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Ziegler Films founded?
Ziegler Films was founded in 1973. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ziegler Films based?
Ziegler Films is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Ziegler Films make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. TV Production Sales are the primary driver. The others are cinema/Theatrical Production and erotic Tales Short Film Series.
Who are Ziegler Films's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MMC Movies, Network Movie Film- und Fernsehproduktion, Constantin Film, Polyphon Film- und Fernsehgesellschaft, Beta Film, Letterbox Filmproduktion and Tobis Film. Broad incumbents are UFA (Bertelsmann's production arm), Bavaria Film and Studio Hamburg.
Does Ziegler Films have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ziegler Films.
What industry is Ziegler Films in?
Ziegler Films's product category is Film and Television Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAAAL, Distribution Strategy & Release Planning, with a secondary code of MPADADAJ, Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries. Its NAICS code is 512110 and its SIC code is 7812.