Unreal Engine MegaMeetup Stuttgart #7 on December 12 at B.REX
Our CREATORS from b.Rex invite to their seventh Unreal Engine MegaMeetupStuttgart. This time you can try out numerous exhibits and present your own projects on the Open Stage. As always, networking will of course also take centre stage.
Photo: b.Rex
B.Rex will provide food (also vegetarian) and drinks. There will also be entertainment at the pinball machine or their retro arcade machines. Weather permitting, the event will take place outside in the backyard and you’ll have a barbecue!
The Unreal Engine MegaMeetup Stuttgart #7 will take place on December 12, 2024, 18:30 to 20:30 CET, at b.Rex, Reinsburgstraße 96/1, 70197 Stuttgart-West.
Filmschau Baden-Württemberg (December 4 to 8, 2024)
The Filmschau Baden-Württemberg, the state film festival in Stuttgart, takes place annually over five days at the beginning of December in Stuttgart’s Innenstadtkinos – this year it celebrates its 30th anniversary from December 4 to 8. Around 120 films are presented by professionals from the industry and up-and-coming filmmakers from Baden-Württemberg’s film schools. Feature films, short films, animated films, documentaries and commercials will be shown, including many premieres.
It is organized by the Filmbüro Baden-Württemberg e.V.. In the competition for the Baden-Württembergischer Filmpreis, the best productions are awarded by five three-member expert juries in the categories Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Animated Film and Best Commercial Film. Prizes with a total value of up to 10,000 euros are awarded.
Members of the AMCRS are also strongly represented in the program, including numerous projects by alumni and students of Baden-Württemberg’s film and media academies and universities.
Animationsinstitut of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: CERVUS ROSTRATUS (Director: Tobias Eckerlin), CONTRADICTION OF EMPTINESS (Director: Irina Rubina), DEAD END (Director: Fabienne Prieß, Levin Tamoj), DETLEV (Director: Ferdinand Ehrhardt), PEAR GARDEN (Director: Shadab Shayegan), KRONOS (Director: Lasse Falk, Haiyang Liu), IN A TIME WARP (Director: Anh Tú Nguyen), THE DEEP ABOVE – FIRST HUNT (Director: Niklas Wolff), KAULQUAPPE (Director: Julia Skala), MIND THE GAP (Director: Gwenola Heck), TURMSPRINGER (Director: Oscar Bittner) …
Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart: OUT THERE (Director: Ben Marquardt), AUSGELIEFERT (Director: Mauriz Thabo Röckle), FROGGING HELL (Director: Louis Reichardt), KINNHAKENHANK (Director: Sebastian Greim) (all HdM films)
Studio FILM BILDER: ANIMANIMUSICAL (Director: Julia Ocker), FRITZI UND SOPHIE – GRENZENLOSE FREUNDSCHAFT; EPISODE 4: BEINAHE VERHAFTET (Director: Ralf Kukula, Matthias Buhn, Thomas Meyer‐Hermann)
LAVAlabs (VFX): CRANKO (Director: Prof. Dr. Joachim A. Lang)
In the supporting program, the Schnupperkino awaits the youngest moviegoers with a short film reel featuring ANIMANIMALS, MEIN TIER AUF DER SCHMUSEDECKE and TOM UND DAS ERDBEERMARMELADEBROT MIT HONIG (all Studio FILM BILDER).
The new category “Best Visual Effects (VFX)” focuses on the area of the film industry in the southwest, which has achieved a leading position creatively and economically in Germany and throughout Europe. The nominees: CRANKO – Rolf Muetze (VFX Supervisor), Juri Stanossek (Associate VFX Supervisor) and Alexandra Stautmeister (VFX Producer) (LAVAlabs), AVATAR – THE LAST AIRBENDER – Emanuel Fuchs (VFX Supervisor), Gus Martinez (VFX supervisor) and Amelie Dillig (VFX producer) (Accenture Song VFX), BLUE BEETLE – RISE FX, GHOSTED – RISE FX
Calls for Entries ITFS – German Animation Screenplay Award and Animated Games Award Germany
The 32nd Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) will take place from May 6 to 11, 2025. It focuses on artistic animated films and the promotion of young talent. In addition to the short and feature film competitions (submission deadlines: short film competitions – November 15, 2024; feature film competition – January 15, 2024), additional categories are now open for submissions: the German Animation Screenplay Award, the Animated Games Award Germany, and the Work in Progress section.
The German Animation Screenplay Award recognises outstanding screenplays for feature-length animated films. The goal of the competition is to honor the central role of professional screenwriters in the creation of outstanding films and to encourage the development of exceptional stories for animated films.
The Award for the Best Screenplay for a Feature-Length Animated Film comes with €2,500, sponsored by the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS).
The Award for the Screenplay with the Greatest International Market Potential is endowed with €2,500, sponsored by our CREATORS from SOLA MEDIA.
For the best screenplay award submissions are possible in German and English, for the market potential award submissions are only possible in English. Submission Deadline: February 1, 2025 | Regulations | Submit here
Winner German Animation Screenplay Award for a Feature-Length Animated Film at ITFS 2024: Das Neinhorn, Photo: Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart, Reiner Pfisterer
Winner Animated Games Award Germany at ITFS 2024: Closer the Distance, Photo: Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart, Reiner Pfisterer
The Animated Games Award Germany is endowed with €5,000 and is sponsored by MFG Baden-Württemberg. It targets developers of high-quality video games who have their primary or secondary residence in Germany.
Eligible for submission are completed games for commercially available platforms that were released after January 1, 2024. The top five games will be nominated for the GameZone and showcased to the public during the event. Submission Deadline: February 1, 2025 | Regulations | Submit here
The Work in Progress section provides a platform for animation projects in the concept, development, or production stages. Producers and directors have the opportunity to present their current projects in film, TV, web, games, and immersive media to an international professional audience.
Each presentation lasts approximately 20 minutes and includes initial visual insights, trailers, and a follow-up Q&A session. The audience gains exclusive behind-the-scenes access and can connect directly with the creative teams behind the projects. Submission Deadline: February 15, 2025 | Submit here
November 15, 2024
Open Days at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
Press Release Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and Animationsinstituts, Ludwigsburg, November 12, 2024
Open Days at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: A Look Behind the Scenes – Online and On-Site in Ludwigsburg
The world of media is becoming increasingly diverse: films, series, streaming services, and transmedia formats. How can young people navigate this wide array of options to discover their interests and determine the right educational or career path for them? The Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW) and its Animationsinstitut provide guidance with two Open Days. On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the Filmakademie will participate online in the statewide Study Information Day. Additionally, the FABW will host an on-site event on Thursday, November 28, 2024, offering exclusive insights to visitors in Ludwigsburg.
Set Extension Workshop 2023, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
Whether it’s about study programs, admission requirements, or campus life in Ludwigsburg – lecturers, students, study coordinators, and project supervisors will be available to answer questions and present the various disciplines of the Filmakademie. The student office will also provide comprehensive advice on applications, tuition fees, and admission requirements. Upon request, attendees can receive a certificate of participation.
Overview of degree programs and specializations at the Filmakademie:
At Filmakademie: Cinematography, Documentary Film (Directing), Screenwriting (Feature Film & Series), Film Music, Film Sound/Sound Design, Journalistic Film (Directing), Editing, Motion Design, Production: Executive & Line Producing / International Producing / Series Producing, Production Design / Art Direction, Narrative Film (Directing), Commercial Film (Directing & Producing)
In advance, interested individuals have the opportunity to explore the campus and the Animationsinstitut on the Filmakademie’s YouTube channels, watch informational videos, and discover numerous films: www.youtube.com/@FilmakademieBW www.youtube.com/@InsideFABW
November 15, 2024
Now online – TechTalks Presentations from October 22!
The TechTalks Stuttgart event series presents technical topics from the fields of visual effects (VFX) and animation for scientists, creative professionals, students and the interested public. After the keynote speeches, people can spontaneously take to the microphone on their own behalf. At the recent TechTalks on October 22, 2024, the Research & Development department of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut presented two of their current projects: EMIL-XR and MAX-R in Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Albrecht Ade Studio.
You can now watch the two presentations of that evening online!
EMIL-XR: Volker Helzle and Andreas Dahn introduced the European Media & Immersion Lab, featuring the R&D’s Lighthouse project FATE OF THE MINOTAUR – an immersive VR-journey designed for up to four players. EMIL – European Media and Immersion Lab (emil-xr.eu)
MAX-R Project: Simon Spielmann and Jonas Trottnow shared advancements in the Mixed Augmented and Extended Reality Media Pipeline (MAX-R), including AI-assisted tools that push high-quality XR content creation to new levels. MAX-R (UPF)
Photos: FABW
At the hands-on demos, the attendees could test the latest versions of the R&D’s Digital Locations and AnimHost. They also had a chance to step into virtual reality for an unforgettable encounter – coming face-to-face with the Minotaur.
Pre-Fixe with Animation Lounge with Dominique Schuchmann
Together with the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (organizer of Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film) and the AMCRS, MFG organizes the Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge as a prelude to the monthly network meeting of the film industry (Jour Fixe). Speakers from the animation film scene present practical examples of current projects and provide insights into their work.
The next event will take place on December 9, 18:00 CET. In his presentation “‘Minus Drei & Die Wilde Lucy’ – Eine 9-jährige Zeitreise zur eigenen IP”(Dinomite & Lucy – A 9-year journey through time to our own IP), Dominique Schuchmann (M.A.R.K.13™) will talk about the production of the animation and children’s series “Minus Drei & Die Wilde Lucy” (Dinomite & Lucy).
Dominique Schuchmann has been the owner and executive producer of our CREATORS at The M.A.R.K.13™ – Group in Stuttgart since 2004. He is also a member of the ADC (Art Directors Club Germany), the VES (Visual Effects Society), the Deutschen Werbefilmakademie and the Deutschen Produzentenallianz as well as Chairman of the IHK Film- und Medienausschuss in Baden-Württemberg.
The Jour Fixe offers a unique opportunity for exchange and networking with colleagues from the MFG Film Funding Unit. All participants are cordially invited to attend the subsequent Jour Fixe from 19:00 CET.
The event will take place at the Kulturzentrum Merlin, Augustenstraße 72, 70178 Stuttgart. Admission is free.
The MFG-funded MORIA SIX by Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg graduate Jennifer Mallmann received two awards at the International Festival for Documentary and Animated Film DOK Leipzig(October 28 to November 3, 2024): the DEFA Förderpreis, endowed with 4,000 euros, and the Filmpreis Leipziger Ring der Stiftung Friedliche Revolution, endowed with 2,500 euros. MORIA SIX was also one of the “DOK Busters 2024”.
Producer Matthias Drescher (Film- und Fernsehlabor Ludwigsburg), Sina Diehl (Cinematography), Svenja Vanhoefer, Line Producerin (Student Producer Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg), Jennifer Mallmann (Director/Author), Carl Bergengruen (Managing Director MFG). | Photo: Film- und Fernsehlabor Ludwigsburg
In her graduation film MORIA SIX, which celebrated its world premiere in Leipzig with two sold-out screenings, director Jennifer Mallmann takes a differentiated look at the Moria refugee camp, where a devastating fire broke out in September 2020. In calm, precise images, the film addresses the mechanisms of the European policy of isolation, which treats people like criminals and locks them up in futuristic high-security camps.
MORIA SIX is a production of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and our CREATORS from Film- und Fernsehlabor Ludwigsburg, produced by Matthias Drescher (Film- und Fernsehlabor Ludwigsburg).
Heiko Burkardsmaier receives the Baden-Württemberg Honorary Film Award 2024
Press Release Filmbüro Baden-Württemberg, October 30, 2024
Heiko Burkardsmaier, VFX Executive Producer and Head of Business/Legal Affairs at Accenture Song VFX in Stuttgart, receives this year’s Baden-Württemberg Honorary Film Award (Baden-Württembergischer Ehrenfilmpreis). Based in the capital of Baden-Württemberg, Heiko Burkardsmaier has uniquely shaped the VFX industry in Stuttgart, both economically and artistically, playing a pivotal role in establishing the region as a European leader in this field. Together with his teams, Heiko Burkardsmaier creates sensational visual effects for Hollywood blockbusters, earning international film awards for their precise and creative work “Made in Stuttgart,” including an Oscar, several Emmys, and numerous Emmy nominations.
Heiko Burkardsmaier, Photo: Filmschau BW
The unendowed honorary film award will be presented at the 30. Filmschau Baden-Württemberg (December 4 to 8, 2024) during the award ceremony on Sunday, December 8, 2024, in the Dürnitz Kulturlounge at the Altes Schloss in Stuttgart. This award honors individuals who help shape the media and film landscape in Baden-Württemberg, provide lasting support through their work, and make a significant contribution to raising the region’s profile beyond state borders.
Under his leadership, outstanding visual effects have been created in Stuttgart for several award-winning feature films and TV projects. These include Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning 3D adventure Hugo, the Emmy-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, the Emmy-winning fantasy seriesShadow and Bone, and Netflix’s fantasy series Avatar: The Last Airbender. His teams have also created historical and fantastical settings and effects for films like 13 Minutes(German: Elser – er hätte die Welt verändert), Hindenburg, Independence Day: Resurgence, and Girl You Know It’s True.
The award winner, who is well-connected both regionally and internationally, serves as a lecturer at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, an advisor for the Audiovisual Media program at the Stuttgart Media University (HdM), a board member of the Animation Section of the German Producers Association (Produzentenallianz Deutschland), and a member of the Deutsche Filmakademie as well as the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart.
“THE SUPER ELFKINS“ (Die Heinzels – Neue Mützen, neue Mission) won the ZFF Audience Award for Kids at the 20th anniversary edition of the Zurich Film Festival 2024! AMCRS HEROES were also involved in the 3D animated feature film by Ute von Münchow-Pohl – SERU Animation with Sebastian Runschke (producer) and SOLA MEDIA with Solveig Langeland (executive producer). Congratulations to everyone involved!
The movie revolves around the adventures of elfkin girl Elfie who discovers the existence of a technically advanced Elfkin gang that, in stark contrast to Elfie’s own clan, is second to none when it comes to fun and thrill-seeking. Cinema release in Germany is December 24, 2024.
The TechTalks Stuttgart event series presents technical topics from the fields of visual effects (VFX) and animation for scientists, creative professionals, students and the interested public. After the keynote speeches, people can spontaneously take to the microphone on their own behalf. The next event will take place on October 22, 2024, at 18:30 CET at Albrecht-Ade Studio (Animationsinstitut / Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg), Akademiehof 10, 71638 Ludwigsburg.
Admission is free! Please register in advance at contact@amcrs.de. Please note: The event will be recorded, but is not hybrid.
Program Schedule:
„EMIL“ | Research & Development, Animationsinstitut, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg The EU-funded project EMIL (European Media and Immersion Lab) aims to promote innovations and developments in cutting-edge XR technologies, as well as strengthen relationships between the creative industries and potential innovation partners across Europe. The staff of the Research & Development department at the Animationsinstitut will provide insights into the international network, the status of the diverse, funded projects after the first two years, and present their lighthouse project “FATE OF THE MINOTAUR”, a VR adventure for up to four players, which can be tested on-site afterward. EMIL – European Media and Immersion Lab (emil-xr.eu)
„MAX-R“ | Research & Development, Animationsinstitut, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg The MAX-R project (Mixed Augmented and Extended Reality Media Pipeline) is a 30-month HORIZON EUROPE initiative. Eleven project partners from across Europe are developing tools for the creation and processing of high-quality XR content, based on real-time workflows. The Animationsinstitut contributes to the project with innovations such as “DIGITAL LOCATIONS,” a demonstrator of virtual replicas of real filming locations for virtual productions, and “ANIMHOST,” an AI-driven system for real-time animations. In this presentation, the Research & Development team will provide insights into the technologies and key project outcomes. MAX-R (UPF)
