Filmmakers

What Filmmakers does

Filmmakers is a pan-European cloud-based casting and professional networking platform operated by filmmakers.one GmbH, headquartered in Cologne, Germany. The platform connects three primary user groups — professional actors, talent agents, and casting directors — across film, television, theatre, and new visual media, spanning more than 10 European regions (D/A/CH, France, Italy, Iberia, Benelux, Nordic, Baltic, Turkey, CIS, Carpathian and Caucasian States, Balkan Peninsula) with 10+ localized language interfaces and a registered base of approximately 76,000 professionals. Casting directors access an actor database with expert search, post breakdowns, run eCasting (electronic self-tape auditions) and live casting sessions, and share evaluations with producers and directors; agents manage their client rosters centrally and receive role notifications; actors build profiles with showreels, audioreels, vita/credits, agency links, and visibility controls.

The technology is a web-based SaaS platform built by Denkungsart – Gesellschaft für digitale Kommunikation und Beratung mbH, complemented by a RESTful JSON API (OAuth 2.0, 300 requests per 5 minutes per IP, webhooks for actor_profile events) and native iOS and Android apps gated to Premium+ members. Distinctive technical components include a biometric opt-in Similarity Search (GDPR Art. 9(2)(a)) and an integration with Spotlight that syncs Filmmakers profiles into the UK/Ireland casting market.

Filmmakers runs a freemium model: actors join free and can upgrade to Premium+ at €119/year or €15/month for expanded media limits, Full HD uploads, mobile access, and casting visibility controls. An optional Spotlight Profile add-on (+€159/year) extends reach into UK/Ireland casting. Casting directors and agents onboard via direct sales, demos, and self-service; monetization is concentrated on individual actor subscriptions rather than enterprise contracts. The operating company is privately held, managed by Dr. David Zitzlsperger, with no disclosed funding, ownership, or revenue.

Name

Filmmakers

Legal name

filmmakers.one GmbH

Website

https://filmmakers.eu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Filmmakers (filmmakers.one GmbH, Cologne) operates a pan-European cloud-based casting platform connecting ~76,000 actors, casting directors, and agents across 10+ regions, monetizing via Premium+ subscriptions and a Spotlight add-on for UK/Ireland visibility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Casting and Talent Management Software

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114)

SIC

Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

Casting & Talent Services (Casting, Background, Talent Holding) (MPADAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Talent Agency & Representation Services (HSACAHAK)

Keywords

• Online casting platform
• Actor database software
• Talent network platform
• Casting management software
• Film industry networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Premium Membership (Premium+): Paid subscription for actors providing enhanced profile features, app access, higher media limits, and increased visibility. Billed annually (€119/year) or monthly (€15/month). Includes Premium+ features vs free Standard Membership.
2. International Add-on (Spotlight Profile): Additional license add-on for Premium+ members providing Spotlight Profile access for UK/Ireland market visibility at +€159/year on top of Premium+ pricing.
3. Standard Membership (Free): Free tier for professional actors providing basic profile, limited media, and showreel visibility. Generates user base for platform network effects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Filmmakers operates a cloud-based professional casting platform (filmmakers.eu) that connects actors, casting directors, talent agents, and crew across the European film, TV, theater, and new visual media industries. The platform provides an expert-search actor database, eCasting and live casting workflows, showreel and media management, project and breakdown management, and a RESTful API, with native iOS and Android apps for paying subscribers.

Product overview

Filmmakers is a B2B professional network and casting platform for the European entertainment industry, connecting actors, casting directors, and talent agents across film, TV, theater, and advertising. The core product consists of the Filmmakers Platform (web-based) with two membership tiers: Free (basic profile with limited media) and Premium+ (full feature access with mobile app). Add-on modules include Spotlight Profile for UK/Ireland visibility and the Filmmakers API for developer integration. Key features include eCasting for electronic auditions, showreel management, expert actor search, and live casting. The platform is operated by filmmakers.one GmbH and developed/powered by Denkungsart GmbH.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Filmmakers Platform Cloud-based SaaS casting platform for professional actors, casting directors, talent agents, and crew across European film, TV, theater, and advertising. Provides actor database with expert search, eCasting/live casting workflows, project management, showreel tools, and API access.
• Filmmakers API RESTful JSON API with OAuth 2.0 and token-based authentication enabling third-party developers to access actor profiles, crew profiles, talent agencies, showreels, casting calls, blog posts, and messages. Rate limited to 300 requests per 5 minutes per IP. Webhooks available for actor_profile events.
• Filmmakers Mobile App Native iOS and Android applications available to Premium+ members for managing actor profiles, showreels, messages, and breakdown notifications on mobile. Provides push notifications and OS-level integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Platform covers 10+ European regions with 76,000+ professionals, supporting casting in Baltic, Nordic, D/A/CH, Iberia, Italy, Benelux, France, Turkey, CIS, Carpathian & Caucasian States, and Balkan Peninsula regions.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability5 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Casting Directors Association (ICDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026ICDA launched AI in casting guidelines at Cannes 2026. Filmmakers CEO David Zitzlsperger was quoted supporting the guidelines. Filmmakers actively participates in shaping responsible AI use in casting workflows. The platform is aligned with ICDA standards for transparency, consent, ethical implementation, and data protection in casting.
• Finnish Film AffairminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2025Finnish Film Affair (Helsinki International Film Festival / HiFF) partnered with Filmmakers for the 'Visibility of Finnish Talent' event — a OneMinuteMonologue industry workshop. Casting directors Anja Dihrberg-Siebler and Frank Moiselle selected participants from Finland. The workshop is free for selected participants and conducted in English.
• Helsinki International Film Festival (HiFF)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2025Helsinki International Film Festival co-organized the 'Visibility of Finnish Talent' event with Finnish Film Affair and Filmmakers for Finnish actors seeking international co-production opportunities.
• SpotlightcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpotlight Profile add-on combines Filmmakers Premium+ with Spotlight (www.spotlight.com) for UK and Ireland market visibility. Profiles are synced automatically; Spotlight profiles can only be edited through Filmmakers. Spotlight login is via single sign-on from Filmmakers. This is a co-marketing and distribution partnership targeting professional actors seeking visibility in the UK/Ireland market.
• Denkungsart GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationDenkungsart – Gesellschaft für digitale Kommunikation und Beratung mbH developed the Filmmakers web application and API. Concept, realisation and software license provided by Denkungsart. The SaaS platform Filmmakers System is built on Denkungsart infrastructure. This is a core technology partnership for the entire product.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IMDbPro: IMDbPro (Amazon-owned) is the broad industry professional database for actors, agents, and casting professionals with contact details, résumés, and project listings. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps with Filmmakers' professional profile database but does not specialize in casting workflows.

Direct peers

• Actors Access (Breakdown Services): Actors Access, run by Breakdown Services, is the dominant US-based casting noticeboard and submission platform. It is a direct competitor in digital casting submissions and notices, with strong penetration among US casting directors and agents.
• Cast It Reach: Cast It Reach is a casting submission platform focused on self-tape and digital audition submissions for actors and casting directors. It directly overlaps with Filmmakers' eCasting functionality and actor-profile workflow.
• Backstage: Backstage is a casting platform and trade publication for actors with auditions, roles, and paid subscription profiles. It serves a similar actor self-serve subscription model with casting listings and is a direct competitor in the actor-facing casting SaaS category.
• Spotlight: Spotlight is the dominant UK and Ireland casting platform for professional actors. Filmmakers has a direct commercial partnership with Spotlight (Profile add-on at €159/year) and competes head-to-head for European actor visibility, making it the closest direct peer.
• StarNow: StarNow is an online casting platform for actors, models, and talent with subscription profiles and audition listings. It competes head-to-head in the same freemium actor profile and casting category, with global footprint.
• Casting Networks: Casting Networks (formerly LA Casting) is a global online casting platform serving actors, casting directors, and agents with subscription-based profiles and self-tape submissions. It is a direct competitor in the same self-serve casting SaaS category, with broader US coverage.
• Casting Frontier: Casting Frontier is an online casting platform that connects actors with casting directors across film, TV, and commercials. It shares Filmmakers' core proposition of subscription-based actor profiles and digital breakdowns, making it a direct competitor.

Others

• Denkungsart GmbH: Denkungsart is the German digital agency that built and licenses the Filmmakers SaaS platform and API. It is an ecosystem technology partner rather than a competitor, but understanding the relationship is critical for a technology diligence perspective.
• International Casting Directors Association (ICDA): ICDA is the global professional body representing casting directors, with which Filmmakers has a strategic partnership (AI in casting guidelines launched at Cannes 2026). It is an industry ecosystem peer rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/denkungsart/filmmakers-api
• Facebookfacebook.com/filmmakers.europe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/filmmakers-system-by-denkungsart
• Instagraminstagram.com/filmmakers.europe

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Filmmakers