The IDM Film Fund and Commission Südtirol has announced the launch of the South Tyrol Music Fund, a new initiative to strengthen the region’s cultural industries by extending IDM’s activities into the music sector. With this step, the body has been rebranded as the IDM Film & Music Commission Südtirol, marking the first time that IDM will manage public funding for music alongside its established film support schemes.

The Music Fund is designed to support both complete and partial projects across the entire chain of production – from development and pre-production to recording, post-production and exploitation, including concerts and tours in South Tyrol and Europe. With an annual budget of €275,000, the fund will operate through two calls per year, providing grants ranging from €10,000 to €100,000.

Eligibility extends to freelance musicians, ensembles, self-employed professionals and music companies active in the music industry, regardless of their country of residence. As with IDM’s film funding, however, local value generation is a key criterion: beneficiaries must spend at least 120% of the granted support within South Tyrol, ensuring both an economic and a cultural impact for the region.

Applications are subject to the EU de minimis regulation and must be preceded by a consulting session with IDM. Submissions will be reviewed by an independent committee of seven experts, who will evaluate each project’s artistic, cultural and economic value as well as its potential contribution to South Tyrol’s positioning as a hub for music productions at a regional, national and international level.

For IDM, the new fund represents both an extension and a consolidation of its mission. Renate Ranzi, head of the IDM Film & Music Commission Südtirol, commented: “For over ten years, the IDM Film Commission has supported local talent and international co-productions. This has turned the South Tyrolean Film Fund and Commission into a major contributor to the development of the film and cultural industry in South Tyrol. The South Tyrolean Music Fund is another important step towards strengthening the local sector, making the region as a whole even more attractive for creative artists.”

The first call for the Music Fund is now open, with a submission deadline of 7 October 2025. Funding decisions will be announced in December. From 2026 onwards, two calls will be organised annually. The programme is coordinated by Markus Moser, who serves as the main contact for all music-related enquiries at IDM. Further information can be found here.