It was founded by resolution on August 20, 1951 by a regular assembly of all German state ministers of education (Kultusministerkonferenz).
[1] The FBW, overseen by the Hessian Ministry for Science and the Arts, renders an expert opinion on films.
For example, the same jury rated two films – Hellboy II: The Golden Army and Das weiße Band – in the same meeting, and awarded them both an especially worthwhile.
The FBW and the Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft (Voluntary Self Regulation of the Movie Industry, also known as FSK), also based in Wiesbaden, work independently from each other.
The 85 judges who adjudicate films in teams of five are paid on a nominal basis at 20 Euros per day, plus expenses.