Austrian cinema fights for survival amid funding cuts and abuse scandals

The Austrian film industry is facing a deep financial crisis, with leaders warning of severe budget cuts and funding shortages. At a recent Film Meeting, key figures highlighted the urgent need for a streaming levy to support domestic productions before the sector collapses.

Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu, head of the Film and Music Industry Association, stated that without fair financial contributions from streaming platforms, Austrian cinema will struggle to survive. His warning came as actress Hilde Dalik described the industry as 'running out of money,' painting a grim picture of its future.

Director Markus Schleinzer went further, calling the current state of affairs a 'swan song' for Austrian film. The crisis has pushed industry leaders to demand a levy on international streaming services, ensuring their revenues help fund local productions. Alongside financial concerns, safeguarding on film sets became a major topic. Sophie Rendl emphasised the need for stronger prevention measures and a tailored framework to protect workers. This follows the 2025 annual report from #we_do!, which documented ongoing cases of power abuse and sexual harassment in the industry. Actress Hilde Dalik also shared her own experiences, recalling past incidents of inappropriate behaviour on sets. The discussion reinforced the call for stricter protections to prevent such abuses in the future.

The industry now faces two critical challenges: securing funding through a streaming levy and implementing better safeguards for workers. Without these changes, Austrian cinema risks further decline, with fewer productions and weaker protections for those involved.