The Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart are growing: we’re delighted to welcome PSYOP as a new member!
The studio Psyop has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Stuttgart, Berlin, and Mexico City. The first European office opened in Stuttgart in 2021, when longtime Creative Director & VFX Supervisor Matthias Bäuerle moved back from New York City. Psyop’s fully cloud-based pipeline connects teams across the world – giving artists the freedom to create and collaborate everywhere.
Indie game studios from Baden-Württemberg can now apply for one of five spots at the THE LÄND booth within the Indie Arena Booth at Gamescom in Cologne (August 26-30, 2026). MFG Baden-Württemberg is once again supporting with exclusive spaces at the Indie Arena Booth. All indie game studios based in Baden-Württemberg are eligible to apply – regardless of whether they have received funding from Games BW(by the way: the next submission deadline is July 30, 2026!). The Indie Arena is considered the platform with the highest visitor reach for independent developers at Gamescom.
After the application deadline, an expert jury will decide which studios are selected. Particular emphasis will be placed on the quality and innovative potential of the submitted games.
At last year’s Gamescom, the THE LÄND booth was presented for the first time at the Indie Arena Booth. Four indie studios from Baden-Württemberg showcased their games there (including two AMCRS members, kaleidoscube and Studio Seufz):
“Morriton Manor Stories: Nordic Whispers” by Application Systems Heidelberg (Heidelberg)
“RECUR” by kaleidoscube (Stuttgart)
“Lucky Tower Ultimate” by Studio Seufz (Stuttgart)
In the category “Best Visual Effects,” VFX supervisors Max Riess and Mona Mohr from PIXOMONDOare nominated for “Woodwalkers 2.” Max Riess will present “How to Turn Actors into Animals: The VFX Behind Woodwalkers S2” at FMX on May 5, 2026.
Also nominated in this category are Michael Wortmann from RISEand Frank Schlegel for “Momo.” Michael Wortmann is a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut.
“Woodwalkers 2,” as well as the third nominee in the “Best Visual Effects” category, “Die Schule der magischen Tiere 4,” received funding from MFG.
The Lola winners will be announced on May 29, 2026, at the Palais am Funkturm in Berlin. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for all the nominees!
On “XR DAY” on Friday, April 10, 2026, Akademie für Darstellende Kunst Baden-Württemberg (ADK) and Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW) will offer insights into the diverse applications of eXtended Reality (XR). Keynote speeches and hands-on experiences with Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) demonstrate the broad spectrum of what can be achieved with non-linear, user-controlled (XR) technologies in film, theatre, media, art, and industry – and where new fields of application are emerging.
In the morning, the program features numerous keynote talks, including contributions from Max Schmierer (b.Rex), Volker Helzle (Head of the CLI), Diana Arellano (Senior Lecturer in Technical Directing at Animationinstitut), as well as many alumni and students of the Animationsinstitut.
From 14:00 CET onwards, XR experiences can be explored on site, including “EGON SCHIELE. A Personal Encounter – a journey into the life of an artist in Vienna around 1900,” “TREMENS. Integrating Live Performance and Virtual Reality on stage in a Shakespearian play,” “REVERSE TURING TEST. How AI-systems can identify humans,” “MAIA in CyberLÄND. How AI-avatars rethink Storytelling, Community and Value Creation,” and “FATE OF THE MINOTAUR. Location-based VR Experience developed at the Filmakademie’s Animationsinstitut.”
Date: Friday, April 10, 2026, 9:00-18:00 CET Venue: Campus FABW / ADK, Akademiehof, Ludwigsburg
March 16, 2026
Jobs at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
The Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg is one of the most renowned training institutions for film and media in Germany and also enjoys an excellent international reputation. This is ensured by a strongly team- and practice-oriented teaching concept and more than 300 guest lecturers each year. In addition, the Filmakademie includes the Animationsinstitut and is home to the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris. The Filmakademie is organizer of the annual international conference FMX – Film & Media Exchange.
They are currently offering the following job opportunities:
User Experience (UX) and XR Application Designer (m/f/d): within the research project “Reallabor Metaverse”, starting at April 1, 2026, or later, application no later than March 31, 2026 – Job Posting
Virtual Production, XR & VFX Specialist (m/f/d) (Mitarbeiter*in (m/w/d) Virtual Production, XR & VFX): starting at May 1, 2026, application no later than March 20, 2026 – Job Posting
Campus Software Coordination & Development Specialist (m/f/d) (Mitarbeiter*in (m/w/d) Koordination & Development Campus-Software): starting at May 1, 2026, application no later than March 20, 2026 – Job Posting
Technical Coordinator – Editing & Post-Production (m/f/d) (Mitarbeiter*in (m/w/d) Technische Koordination Montage/Schnitt): starting at May 1, 2026, application no later than March 20, 2026 –Job Posting
Executive Assistant to the Director (m/f/d)(Persönliche*r Referent*in des Direktors (m/w/d)): starting at April 1, 2026 – Job Posting
IT Systems Engineer (m/f/d) (Systemadministrator*in (m/w/d) IT-System Engineer): starting at May 1, 2026, application no later than March 20, 2026 –Job Posting
“Lena’s Farm” has been awarded a Grimme Award 2026! The series by Studio FILM BILDER and MINYA Film for ZDF (broadcast on KiKA) received the Audience Award from the Marler Gruppe.
We congratulate the entire team – Director: Elena Walf, Producer: Thomas Meyer-Hermann, and many more (you can find the full list of contributors here: https://filmbilder.de/lenas-farm/)! The series was funded, among others, by MFG Baden-Württemberg.
The award ceremony will take place on April24, 2026.
About the Grimme Award, presented by the Grimme-Institut: The Grimme Award honors television programs and achievements that serve as exemplary and model contributions to broadcasting. The guiding principle of the television critique institutionalized in the Grimme Award is to encourage a comprehensive engagement with television as a central and significant medium that has diverse societal connections and impacts. This critical examination encompasses all topics and forms of television.
March 13, 2026
Cartoon Movie 2026
Director Reza Memari was honored with the Cartoon Tribute for Director of the Year at the European animation forum Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux. He received the award for the animated film “The Last Whale Singer.”
“The Last Whale Singer” is Memari’s second animated feature film following „Überflieger – Kleine Vögel, großes Geklapper“ (“Richard the Stork”). An animated fantasy for family audiences, the film follows Vincent, the orphaned son of the last Whale Singer, who must overcome his fears and discover his own voice to help save the oceans.
The award is presented annually by the attending industry professionals and recognizes outstanding achievements in the European animation industry. The ceremony took place at the Palais des Congrès in Bordeaux, concluding the 28th edition of the international pitching and co-production forum. The project was presented at Cartoon Movie at different stages – from concept in 2018 to development in 2020 and production in 2025 – and is an international co-production between Germany, the Czech Republic, and Canada. The film has already been sold to more than 30 territories worldwide and was funded by MFG.
“Monster Mia” (directed by Verena Fels), with co-producer Peng-Boom-Tschak Films (The M.A.R.K.13™ – Group, Holger Weiss, Dominique Schuchmann), among others, and sales agent Sola Media – more information
We, the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart, are beyond excited and very proud to be the first GOLD PARTNER of FMX 2026! At FMX – Film & Media Exchange, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, an outstanding program awaits you from May 5-7, 2026, at the Haus der Wirtschaft in Stuttgart – this time under the theme “THE ROAD AHEAD.”
On May 8, the program continues with the “On Campus” segment. True to the motto “FMX is coming home!”, events will take place at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and its Animationsinstitut, featuring a special program with a focus on talent and education. Online, a full day of exclusive sessions awaits you on May 8 on the website of FMX www.fmx.de.
Many of the presentations will be available online on demand from May 9 to June 9.
The first program highlights for 2026 have already been announced: https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026X/schedule. FMX is excited to welcome a very special guest to its 30th edition: the internationally renowned director, producer and screenwriter Roland Emmerich is returning to his home town of Stuttgart to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his blockbuster hit “Independence Day”.
The trailer for FMX 2026 was created by students from the Animationsinstitut. Read more about it here: Press Release & Trailer Credits
Trailer FMX 2026
March 2, 2026
ITFS 2026 – First Program Highlights
From May 5 to 10, 2026, this year’s Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) will present the diversity of animation art in the Stuttgart city centre with films, workshops, talks and exhibitions. With the first short films announced in the competitions and confirmed international guests, the festival program is taking shape.
ITFS Open Air, Photo: Max Kullmann
From around 2,000 film submissions from all over the world, the four pre-selection juries have chosen a total of 104 animated short films for the ITFS International Competition, ITFS Student Competition, ITFS Tricks for Kids Competition and ITFS Trickstar Nature Award. All films have the chance to win the coveted prizes, which will be awarded on Saturday, 9 May and Sunday, 10 May. An overview of all films and dates can be found in the calendar at https://itfs.de/en/programme/calendar/. The final festival program will be published there in mid-March.
For this year’s focus on silhouette film, the ITFS welcomes award-winning animation filmmakers Michel Ocelot from France and Jörg Herrmann from Germany, among others, who will both hold Master Classes. With the Netherlands and Kenya, the ITFS is also focusing on several countries in different formats this year. In an In Persona presentation, Dutch director and animator Hisko Hulsing will reflect on the defining moments of his career. Director and screenwriter Voline Ogutu will also present Kenyan animated film projects in various formats. A new program at the festival is dedicated to adult animation in German series.
Accreditations for film industry representatives and students are available at a reduced early bird rate until March 22, 2026. In addition to all film programmes, Accreditation allows participation in industry-relevant workshops, talks and Master Classes. For professionals and students planning to attend both ITFS and FMX – Film & Media Exchange, the ITFS + FMX Combi Pass is recommended (Early Bird Discount until March 20). Accreditations and tickets are available at https://itfs.de/en/tickets/.
The 2D computer-animated trailer “KEY” was developed exclusively for the festival by students of the Animationsinstitut at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. At the centre of the trailer is a curious character standing before a mysterious door. What follows is a journey into a world of colour, music and unexpected encounters. KEY symbolises the diversity and creativity of the international animation scene, which will take centre stage at the ITFS. More information about the trailer and its production process can be found at: itfstrailer.de
Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge – with Amelie Dillig
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 Animation Lounge will take place on Monday, March 9, 2026, 18:00 CET. Under the title “Creating the VFX Of THE PENGUIN,”Amelie Dillig, Producer at Accenture Song Content Germany, talks about what it takes to create the visual effects for an award-winning show like “The Penguin.” In her presentation, Amelie Dillig explains how the VFX are produced from start to finish. Together with her, you can explore menacing cityscapes and examine how they were designed to fully immerse the audience in the world of Gotham City.
Amelie Dillig studied Audiovisual Media at HdM in Stuttgart from 2011 until 2015. She then started her career as a VFX Coordinator at Pixomondo and worked her way up to VFX Producer over the years. After more than six years, Amelie left Pixomondo and joined Accenture as a VFX Producer in 2023. Her credits include “Stranger Things,” “The Penguin, Avatar – The Last Airbender,” “The Mandalorian,” “Game Of Thrones.”
The event will take place at the Kulturzentrum Merlin, Augustenstraße 72, 70178 Stuttgart. Admission is free.
All participants are cordially invited to attend the subsequent MFG Jour Fixe from 19:00 CET. The Jour Fixe offers a unique opportunity for exchange and networking with colleagues from the MFG Film Funding Unit.
