Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated
ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios' fiction unit is actively marketing international scripted content and coproductions while navigating a leadership transition in its drama sales division.
Current mandate
ZDF Studios' fiction unit is currently in market, seeking international buyers and partners for a slate spanning crime, dark comedy, and romantic drama series, with Series Mania serving as a primary deal-making venue. The unit is simultaneously managing a notable leadership shift: VP of drama Robert Franke 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, maintains an advisory relationship with ZDF and Beta on international coproductions and distribution.
Over the past 12 months, ZDF Studios logged 35 tracked activity records, reflecting a consistent presence across acquisitions and distribution activity. Recent acquired titles include "Black Death Patient Zero" (November 2025), "The Godfather of St Petersburg" (November 2025), and "Troy: The Schliemann Legacy" (August 2025), alongside the commissioned second season of music and travel unscripted format "Song Trip." Budgets across all recent deals were not disclosed. The pattern points to a broad content appetite spanning scripted drama, factual, and unscripted formats, with international coproduction remaining a structural priority.
Filmmakers and rights holders looking to engage ZDF Studios should target the fiction unit directly, which handles marketing of ZDF's scripted output, international coproductions, and original content development. Market appearances, particularly at Series Mania, represent the most documented access point. With the interim leadership arrangement now in place, outreach should be directed to Tim Gerhartz for drama sales, while Intaglio Films represents a parallel avenue for projects seeking development and financing partnerships.
Signature peaks
- Acquired Nov 2025 Black Death Patient Zero — Genre not disclosed; budget not disclosed
- Acquired Nov 2025 The Godfather of St Petersburg — Genre not disclosed; budget not disclosed
- Commissioned Jun 2026 Song Trip S2 — Music/travel unscripted format; budget not disclosed
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- Not disclosed
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Series Mania market appearances are the most explicitly documented access point for ZDF Studios' fiction unit. Direct outreach to Tim Gerhartz, now serving as interim VP of drama, is the appropriate channel for scripted sales inquiries. Projects seeking development financing or coproduction structuring may engage Intaglio Films, which works in an advisory capacity with ZDF and Beta on international distribution.
- Deal structure
- All recent acquisitions were completed at undisclosed terms. ZDF Studios operates primarily through international coproduction structures, with ZDF and Beta advising on distribution. The fiction unit handles marketing of scripted output and original content development, while Intaglio Films serves as the development and production arm for drama targeting 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
"ZDF Studios is actively seeking international buyers and partners for its slate of crime, dark comedy, and romantic drama series at Series Mania market."
ZDF Studios' fiction unit is currently in market, seeking international buyers and partners for a slate spanning crime, dark comedy, and romantic drama series, with Series Mania serving as a primary deal-making venue. The unit is simultaneously managing a notable leadership shift: VP of drama Robert Franke 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, maintains an advisory relationship with ZDF and Beta on international coproductions and distribution.
Common questions about ZDF Studios
Does ZDF Studios accept unsolicited scripts?
ZDF Studios' fiction unit focuses on marketing ZDF's existing scripted output, international coproductions, and original content development rather than open script submissions. Unsolicited material is not a documented intake pathway. Creators are better positioned approaching through established market channels or via Intaglio Films, the affiliated drama development and production company that works with ZDF and Beta on international coproductions and distribution.
What budgets does ZDF Studios typically work with?
Budget figures have not been disclosed across any of ZDF Studios' recent acquisitions, including 'Black Death Patient Zero,' 'The Godfather of St Petersburg,' and 'Troy: The Schliemann Legacy,' all acquired in the second half of 2025. The company's structural focus on international coproductions suggests projects are typically financed across multiple partners, with ZDF and Beta advising on distribution, rather than single-buyer deals at a fixed budget tier.
What festivals and markets does ZDF Studios attend?
Series Mania is a confirmed and active market presence for ZDF Studios, where the fiction unit is currently seeking international buyers and partners for its crime, dark comedy, and romantic drama slate. This is the most explicitly documented market appearance in recent coverage. Given the company's international coproduction mandate, attendance at other major European content markets is consistent with its operating profile, though no additional specific events are cited in recent signals.
How do you reach ZDF Studios' decision makers?
ZDF Studios has 20 decision makers tracked across its organization. For drama sales, 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. Franke remains a relevant contact for projects seeking development and financing through Intaglio. Market appearances, particularly at Series Mania, represent the most documented point of access for direct engagement with the fiction unit.
What genres is ZDF Studios prioritizing right now?
ZDF Studios is actively seeking buyers and partners for crime, dark comedy, and romantic drama series, per its current Series Mania market positioning. Recent acquisitions also include titles outside scripted drama, with 'Song Trip S2,' a music and travel unscripted format, commissioned in June 2026. The fiction unit's broader mandate covers ZDF's full scripted output alongside international coproductions, suggesting appetite across drama subgenres rather than a single narrow focus.
Is ZDF Studios currently active in the market?
Yes. ZDF Studios recorded 35 activity signals over the past 12 months, with the latest signal dated July 2026. One deal was recorded in the past 90 days. The fiction unit is actively in market at Series Mania seeking international buyers and partners. The company is also managing an internal leadership transition in its drama sales division, with Tim Gerhartz serving as interim head of drama following Robert Franke's move to Intaglio Films.
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