Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated
ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is the international distribution and co-production arm of Germany's ZDF public broadcaster, actively selling scripted drama, crime, and unscripted formats to global buyers.
Current mandate
ZDF Studios occupies a well-established position in the European content market as the commercial distribution and co-production engine behind ZDF, Germany's major public broadcaster. The company's fiction unit handles the international marketing of ZDF's scripted output alongside original content development and international co-productions. Recent personnel changes signal a strategic inflection point: VP of drama Robert Franke, credited with growing the fiction business significantly over the past decade, is transitioning to 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 co-productions and distribution, deepening the institutional relationship between the broadcaster and its production affiliate.
Across the past 12 months, ZDF Studios has maintained an active acquisition and commissioning pace, with 38 total records tracked in the period. Recent titles entering the slate include "Black Death Patient Zero," "The Godfather of St Petersburg," and the documentary-adjacent "Troy: The Schliemann Legacy," all acquired in late 2025. The company also commissioned "Song Trip S2," a music and travel unscripted format, in mid-2026, signaling continued appetite beyond scripted drama. At Series Mania, the company publicly sought international buyers and partners for a slate spanning crime, dark comedy, and romantic drama series, reflecting the genre breadth that has defined its sales catalogue.
Material reaches ZDF Studios primarily through established industry channels: the company is an active presence at major European markets including Series Mania and MipTV, where its sales team engages directly with international buyers and co-production partners. Intaglio Films serves as a documented production and development partner, with ZDF Studios handling distribution advisory. No unsolicited writer or producer pathway is documented in tracked activity; every observed deal has moved through market relationships, sales agents, or co-production structures.
Signature peaks
- 10 Years Fiction Business Growth — Robert Franke grew ZDF Studios' fiction business significantly over the past decade before transitioning to Intaglio Films.
- 4 Titles Recent Slate Titles — Tracked acquisitions and commissions include Black Death Patient Zero, The Godfather of St Petersburg, Troy: The Schliemann Legacy, and Song Trip S2.
- 20 Decision Makers Tracked — ScriptMatch tracks 20 decision makers active within the ZDF Studios network across sales, fiction, and co-production functions.
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- Not disclosed
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Material is observed to reach ZDF Studios through European content markets, most notably Series Mania, where the company's sales team actively engages international buyers and co-production partners. The company's affiliate Intaglio Films serves as a documented development and production entry point, with ZDF Studios advising on international co-productions and distribution; no unsolicited writer or producer pathway is documented in tracked activity.
- Deal structure
- ZDF Studios structures deals primarily as international distribution rights acquisitions and co-production arrangements, with affiliate Intaglio Films handling development financing and production for drama destined for the international market.
Recent acquisitions
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Black Death Patient Zero
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Song Trip S2
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The Godfather of St Petersburg
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Troy: The Schliemann Legacy
Market context
With a fiction unit refocused under new interim leadership and Intaglio Films deepening its production mandate, ZDF Studios is repositioning its international drama business at a pivotal moment.
ZDF Studios occupies a well-established position in the European content market as the commercial distribution and co-production engine behind ZDF, Germany's major public broadcaster. The company's fiction unit handles the international marketing of ZDF's scripted output alongside original content development and international co-productions. Recent personnel changes signal a strategic inflection point: VP of drama Robert Franke, credited with growing the fiction business significantly over the past decade, is transitioning to 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 co-productions and distribution, deepening the institutional relationship between the broadcaster and its production affiliate.
Common questions about ZDF Studios
Does ZDF Studios accept unsolicited scripts?
No unsolicited submission pathway is documented in ScriptMatch's tracked activity for ZDF Studios. The company's fiction unit focuses on marketing ZDF's existing scripted output, international co-productions, and original content developed through established partnerships, particularly via its affiliate Intaglio Films. Every observed deal has moved through market relationships, co-production structures, or sales agent channels. Writers seeking access are best advised to work through a producer or sales representative with existing European market ties.
What budget level does ZDF Studios work at?
Budget figures are not disclosed in ZDF Studios' tracked acquisitions. As the distribution and co-production arm of ZDF, Germany's major public broadcaster, the company operates across a range of budget tiers typical of European public broadcaster co-productions and international drama. Its affiliate Intaglio Films develops, finances, and produces drama for the international market, suggesting involvement at the production financing level, though specific deal values have not been publicly reported in recent tracked activity.
What festivals does ZDF Studios source content from?
ZDF Studios is an active presence at major European content markets, with Series Mania being a documented venue where the company publicly sought international buyers and partners for its current slate. MipTV and similar European markets are consistent touchpoints for the company's sales team. Recent acquisitions including The Godfather of St Petersburg and Black Death Patient Zero were tracked in late 2025, though the specific festival or market origin of those deals was not disclosed in available sourcing.
How do I get my script or project in front of ZDF Studios?
The most documented route to ZDF Studios is through co-production partnerships and market relationships, particularly at European events like Series Mania. The company's production affiliate Intaglio Films develops and finances drama for the international market, with ZDF Studios advising on distribution, making a producer or sales agent attachment the most practical access point. No open call, writer portal, or fellowship program is documented in tracked activity. Approaching through a European co-production partner or sales agent is the best-evidenced pathway.
What genres is ZDF Studios currently acquiring?
ZDF Studios has publicly signaled appetite for crime, dark comedy, and romantic drama series, as stated at the Series Mania market. Recent tracked acquisitions include titles that span historical and crime-adjacent territory, such as The Godfather of St Petersburg and Black Death Patient Zero. The company also commissioned Song Trip S2, a music and travel unscripted format, in mid-2026, indicating the slate extends beyond scripted drama into factual and entertainment formats. Genre breadth appears to be a deliberate commercial strategy.
Is ZDF Studios currently active in the market?
Yes. ZDF Studios recorded 38 total tracked activity signals in the past 12 months, with the latest signal logged in July 2026. The company commissioned Song Trip S2 in June 2026 and acquired multiple titles in late 2025. A notable leadership transition is underway, with Tim Gerhartz stepping into the interim VP of drama role as Robert Franke moves to co-MD at Intaglio Films, but deal activity has continued through the transition period, suggesting no significant pause in market engagement.
Adjacent buyers in this lane
- Beta Cinema — Beta Cinema is a Munich-based international sales agent specializing in arthouse and literary-adapta
- Starz — Starz is a premium cable and streaming network doubling down on wholly owned scripted drama and inte
- Cineflix Rights — Cineflix Rights is a genre-focused international distributor and co-production financier specializin
- Filmax — Filmax is a Spanish distributor and co-producer with a long track record in genre cinema, currently
Related reading
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