November 14, 2025

“We want Animation from Stuttgart!”

On November 12, 2025, in its tenth session, the Ausschuss für Kultur und Medien (Committee on Cultural and Media Affairs) of the German Bundestag addressed the topic “Film Location Germany: Film Funding, Cinema Support, and Film Heritage” (“Filmstandort Deutschland: Filmförderung, Kinoförderung, Filmerbe“) in a public expert discussion. The session took place at the Paul-Löbe-Haus in Berlin and was broadcast live on the parliamentary TV channel at www.bundestag.de. The discussion focused on the question of a legal investment obligation.

Among the speakers were, among others, Dr. Christian Bräuer (AG Kino ‒ Gilde deutscher Filmkunsttheater), Michelle Müntefering (Allianz Deutscher Produzentinnen und Produzenten ‒ Film, Fernsehen und Audiovisuelle Medien (Produktionsallianz)), Prof. Dr. Jens-Ole Schröder (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (ARD) und Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF), Dr. Wolf Osthaus (Bitkom ‒ Bundesverband Informationswirtschaft, Telekommunikation und neue Medien), Carolin Lindenmaier (HDF KINO ‒ Hauptverband Deutscher Filmtheater), Peter Schauerte (SPIO ‒ Spitzenorganisation der Filmwirtschaft), Daniela Beaujean (VAUNET ‒ Verband Privater Medien), Matthias von Fintel (ver.di ‒ Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft), Peter Dinges (Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) and for the Federal Government, Minister of State Dr. Wolfram Weimer (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media).

Michelle Müntefering (Allianz Deutscher Produzentinnen und Produzenten ‒ Film, Fernsehen und Audiovisuelle Medien (Produktionsallianz): “Our film industry is shaped by small, medium-sized, and independent companies – and these companies are world-class. They have world-class potential. But the framework conditions we have in Germany are not. We have the opportunity for production companies, as a growth sector, to become global players. And, by the way, we work with people and for people. A legal investment obligation with retained rights strengthens precisely this structure. It reinforces the structure of independent and medium-sized companies. Voluntary declarations of intent tend to fuel the trend toward market concentration. As a result, our German companies risk becoming extended workbenches for foreign clients. All federal states also benefit from a legal obligation. We don’t want a production hub where German companies function merely as a workbench, we want films from Munich. We want major cinema from Babelsberg, entertainment from Cologne, animation from Stuttgart, documentaries from East to West. And a law can provide the framework for that.” (Translation, German version)

The session can be watched online at: https://dbtg.tv/cvid/7643792 (Michelle Müntefering starting at min. 32:35)

Information about the Ausschuss für Kultur und Medien and materials from the session: https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw46-pa-kultur-medien-1117590

November 14, 2025

20 Years of Tom & the Slice of Bread with Strawberry Jam & Honey

Studio FILM BILDER and KiKA are celebrating the 20th birthday of the cult character TOM. Many TOM fans are sending their congratulations on social media, including beloved colleagues such as Sandmännchen, Günter Kastenfrosch, the raven Rudi, and “Die Pfefferkörner”. On Saturday, November 15, 2025, KiKA will host a TOM Day featuring 20 episodes of the series, embarking on a journey through the past two decades of “Tom & the Slice of Bread with Strawberry Jam & Honey” („TOM & das Erdbeermarmeladebrot mit Honig“).

Tom’s Special Day, Image: Studio FILM BILDER

In November 2005, KiKA aired the first 13 episodes of the series. Since then, TOM has made many friends, experienced adventures across a total of 52 episodes – and received 52 half slices of strawberry jam bread with honey, each of which tasted as good to him as if it had been a whole one. The lovable hero was created by Stuttgart-based animation artist Andreas Hykade. He designed the characters and the world, developed the scripts, and directed the series. All episodes were produced entirely at Studio FILM BILDER in Stuttgart. The animated series was given a special touch by Dirk Bach, who – as narrator and the voice of all the characters – gave the series its unmistakable tone. “Tom & the Slice of Bread with Strawberry Jam & Honey” has received several awards, including the Grimme Online Award in 2009 and the prize for Best TV Series at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2013.

“Tom & the Slice of Bread with Strawberry Jam & Honey” is a co-production of Studio FILM BILDER Stuttgart and SWR, funded by MFG Baden-Württemberg.

TOM on YouTube | TOM on Instagram | TOMportal | Kikaninchen.de

Source: News Studio FILMBILDER