The 49-year-old has signed her contract as Managing Director of MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg mbH. She will succeed Carl Bergengruen on July 1, 2026, who has led MFG for 13 years and is retiring. Wiebke Wiesner’s contract is initially set for five years.
State Secretary Arne Braun (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst BW) said:
“I am delighted that with Wiebke Wiesner we have gained an exceptionally qualified expert for an important future-oriented field in the state. Film funding is an essential part of Baden-Württemberg’s cultural and creative industries. Wiebke Wiesner combines a passion for film with extensive experience. She understands how the industry networks and how film funding works. Wiebke Wiesner brings people together. Her expertise and dynamism convinced the supervisory board. With her, Baden-Württemberg gains a Managing Director who will lead our film and media sector into the future with energy and strategy.”
Clemens Bratzler, Program Director Information at SWR, said:
“Appointing Wiebke Wiesner as Managing Director of MFG underscores our commitment to ensuring that Baden-Württemberg remains relevant and innovative in media, film, and the creative industries. Ms. Wiesner has everything needed to build on the successful era of Carl Bergengruen despite challenging conditions, while also setting new priorities for the future.”
Wiebke Wiesner added:
“I look forward with great enthusiasm and respect to the tasks ahead and to the wide-ranging spectrum of MFG, from film, VFX, and games funding to supporting the entire regional cultural and creative industries.” As Managing Director, she said she is stepping into commendable footsteps: “Carl Bergengruen has shaped MFG over many years with vision and tireless commitment. He deserves the highest recognition and thanks. The current challenges for Baden-Württemberg’s film and media sector, as well as for the entire German film industry, are immense.” Her passion and expertise in film funding have been long-standing. “I am very much looking forward to continuing proven initiatives with the MFG team while developing and implementing sustainable new ideas for the future.”
Wiebke Wiesner has served as Legal Counsel and Deputy Managing Director of the Produktionsallianz since February 2023 and took over as interim Managing Director of the nationwide industry association in May 2025. Previously, she worked at institutions for film funding at both the state and federal level, including the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the Filmförderungsanstalt des Bundes (FFA). She is a deputy member of the FFA Board of Directors, chair of the Guidelines Committee, and represents film producers on the Green Filming Advisory Board and the Green Shooting Working Group. She advised the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg on establishing games funding and support for digital productions and negotiated Germany’s first AI collective agreement for the Produktionsallianz.
Sources (translated with the help of AI): Press Release Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst BW | MFG Baden-Württemberg
