Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated
ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a German public-broadcaster-backed distributor and co-production partner actively acquiring scripted content for worldwide distribution, with a fiction division currently navigating a senior leadership transition.
Current mandate
ZDF Studios' fiction unit is presently marketing ZDF's scripted output alongside international co-productions and original content development. The division is mid-transition: VP of Drama Robert Franke is set to become co-MD at Intaglio Films, with Tim Gerhartz stepping into Franke's role on an interim basis. Intaglio, which develops, finances and produces drama for the international market, operates with ZDF and Beta advising on international co-productions and distribution, signalling a continued structural link between the two entities.
Over the past 12 months, ZDF Studios logged 29 tracked records and completed acquisitions including "Black Death Patient Zero" (November 2025), "The Godfather of St Petersburg" (November 2025), and "Troy: The Schliemann Legacy" (August 2025). Budgets were not disclosed on any of these deals. The acquisition pattern skews toward event-driven, historically rooted or crime-adjacent scripted titles, consistent with the company's international co-production mandate. No deals have been confirmed in the most recent 30- or 90-day windows, though deal velocity remains active at the 30-day level.
ZDF Studios distributes worldwide, with Italy and France excluded from its territorial remit. Sellers and producers seeking access should engage through the fiction sales division, noting that the interim leadership period under Gerhartz may affect response timelines. Intaglio Films represents a parallel development and financing pathway for drama projects targeting the international market.
Signature peaks
- 29 12-Month Activity Records — Total tracked signals over the past 12 months
- 3 Recent Acquisitions (6mo) — Black Death Patient Zero; The Godfather of St Petersburg; Troy: The Schliemann Legacy
- Worldwide Distribution Territory — Excluding Italy and France per stated territorial mandate
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- Animation, Children's/Family
- Territory focus
- Worldwide (excluding Italy and France)
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Primary access is through ZDF Studios' fiction sales division. Tim Gerhartz is currently serving as interim VP of Drama following Robert Franke's move to Intaglio Films. For drama development and co-production financing, Intaglio Films (with ZDF and Beta advising on international co-productions and distribution) offers a parallel pathway. Territory coverage is worldwide, excluding Italy and France.
- Deal structure
- Acquisitions to date in the tracking period carried undisclosed budgets. ZDF Studios operates across distribution of ZDF scripted output, international co-productions, and original content development. Co-production structures involving ZDF and Beta are confirmed via the Intaglio relationship. The 52-episode series format and children's animated co-productions indicate volume-oriented licensing structures alongside prestige scripted deals.
Recent acquisitions
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Black Death Patient Zero
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The Godfather of St Petersburg
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Troy: The Schliemann Legacy
Market context
"The fiction unit at ZDF Studios is responsible for marketing ZDF's scripted programming output, international coproductions and original content development."
ZDF Studios' fiction unit is presently marketing ZDF's scripted output alongside international co-productions and original content development. The division is mid-transition: VP of Drama Robert Franke is set to become co-MD at Intaglio Films, with Tim Gerhartz stepping into Franke's role on an interim basis. Intaglio, which develops, finances and produces drama for the international market, operates with ZDF and Beta advising on international co-productions and distribution, signalling a continued structural link between the two entities.
Common questions about ZDF Studios
Does ZDF Studios accept unsolicited scripts?
ZDF Studios' fiction unit focuses on marketing ZDF's existing scripted output and developing international co-productions, which suggests a preference for established relationships and structured co-production arrangements rather than cold script submissions. The affiliated Intaglio Films entity develops and finances drama for the international market, and may represent a more appropriate entry point for producers with original projects. Direct unsolicited submissions are not confirmed as a standard intake pathway based on available information.
What budgets does ZDF Studios work with?
Budget terms were not disclosed on any of the three acquisitions tracked in the past 12 months, including 'Black Death Patient Zero,' 'The Godfather of St Petersburg,' and 'Troy: The Schliemann Legacy.' ZDF Studios operates as the distribution and co-production arm of a major German public broadcaster, which typically implies mid-to-high budget scripted projects, but no specific figures are publicly confirmed. Producers should approach with project-specific financing structures for co-production discussions.
Does ZDF Studios acquire from film festivals?
No festival-specific acquisition activity is confirmed in the available data for the current tracking period. However, with 29 activity records logged over 12 months and a mandate covering international co-productions and scripted distribution, ZDF Studios maintains a broad market presence. Major European markets such as MIPCOM, Berlinale Co-Production Market, and Series Mania are consistent with the company's profile, though attendance and acquisition activity at specific events is not confirmed in current intelligence.
How do I reach ZDF Studios' acquisitions team?
The fiction sales division is the primary point of contact for scripted acquisitions and co-production inquiries. As of the latest signal (May 2026), Tim Gerhartz has stepped into the VP of Drama role on an interim basis following Robert Franke's transition to co-MD at Intaglio Films. Eighteen decision makers are currently tracked within the organization. For drama development and financing, Intaglio Films, which works with ZDF and Beta on international co-productions, represents a parallel access pathway.
What genres is ZDF Studios focused on right now?
Recent acquisitions point toward historically grounded and crime-adjacent scripted content, with 'Troy: The Schliemann Legacy,' 'Black Death Patient Zero,' and 'The Godfather of St Petersburg' all acquired within a six-month window. The company's broader content focus includes children's animated co-productions for international distribution, IP reboots with classic character roots, and the 52-episode series format. The fiction unit's mandate also encompasses international co-productions and original content development across scripted genres.
Is ZDF Studios currently active in acquisitions?
ZDF Studios recorded 29 tracked signals over the past 12 months and confirmed three acquisitions between August and November 2025. No new deals have been confirmed in the 30- or 90-day windows immediately preceding the latest signal date of May 2026, though deal velocity at the 30-day level remains active. The fiction division is currently in a leadership transition period, with Tim Gerhartz serving as interim VP of Drama. Activity levels suggest the company remains a functioning buyer, albeit potentially at a measured pace during the transition.
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