April 20, 2025

ITFS 2025: Nominations German Animation Screenplay Award and Animated Games Award Germany

ITFS Award Statue, Photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer

The Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (May 6-11, 2025) not only awards animated films, but also honors screenplays, projects & business ideas, and German video games.

The German Animation Screenplay Award recognises outstanding screenplays for feature-length 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.

The nominees are:

Die Schule der Schurken / The School of Villains (Author: John Chambers)
Fräulein Dezember und die Mondscheinbande (Author: Lisa Fechner, Producer: Peter Keydel, Production: Mistral Filmstudio GmbH)
Nessie Junior (Authors: Matthias Drescher, Jens Opatz, Producer: Matthias Drescher, Production: FFL – Film und Fernsehlabor Ludwigsburg GmbH & Co. KG)
Treasure Island (Authors: Florens Huhn, Sophia Bierend, Producer: Frank Geiger, Production: Little Dream Entertainment GmbH)

The awards will be presented as part of the A nix Awards on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 19:00 CET. The Trickstar Business Award will also be presented during the ceremony. Earlier that day, at 13:00 CET, Jørn Precht (Stuttgart Media University) will speak with the nominees for the German Animation Screenplay Award about storytelling and the development of their nominated scripts (To the eve nt).

The Animated Games Award Germany is endowed with €5,000 and is sponsored by M FG Baden-Württemberg. It targets developers of high-quality video games who have their primary or secondary residence in Germany.

The nominees are:

Harold Halibut (Slow Bros.)
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami (Happy Broccoli Games)
MINI MINI GOLF GOLF (Three More Years Studio)
Songs of Silence (Chimera Entertainment)
PRIM (Application Systems Heidelberg)

More about the nominated game s. The Animated Games Award will be presented during the Award Ceremony on Saturday evening, May 10, 2025. Festival visitors can try out the five nominated games in the GameZone, located at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart.

Source and more infor mation

Fingers crossed for all the nominees!

March 7, 2025

Four Projects from Baden-Württemberg at Cartoon Movie 2025!

Cartoon Mov ie is an annual pitching and co-production forum aimed at strengthening the production and distribution of animated feature films in Europe. This year, it took place from March 4 to 6 in Bordeaux. A total of 55 new projects from 16 countries were presented – and of the six projects from Germany, four came from Baden-Württemberg alone! Members of the AMCRS are also involved!

“Condenaditos”, pitched by Matisse Gonzales Jordán (director and author, a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut) and Stefan Michel (producer Studio Seufz). They had already presented the project at Cartoon Movie 2023. More about the project

“Nessie Junior“ is produced by FFL Film- und Fernseh-Labor Ludwigsburg and Uli Schwarz. Presenting on-site at Cartoon Movie was Matthias Drescher (producer, scriptwriter FFL). More about the proje ct

“Cocobanana and the Dinosaur Hunt“ is the name of the project co-produced by SERU Animation with Sebastian Runschke. More about the project

“Valentino“ is produced by the Ludwigsburg-based company Zooper Film with Lilian Klages. More about the pro ject

Condenaditos: Matisse Gonzales Jordán, Nidia Santiago (Co-Producer Ikki Films), Stefan Michel (Studio Seufz)

February 28, 2025

Pre-Fixe with Animation Lounge – with Kaleidoscube

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 10, 2025, 18:00 CET. Dominik Schön, Managing Director, Founder & Game Designer of the Stuttgart-based game studio Kaleidoscube, presents the newly announced video game RECUR, which they are currently developing, and shares insights into the biggest challenges of the development process. A wild journey to the end of the world and back – in RECUR, time is linked to the player’s position. By running and jumping, players must manipulate time to save a city from an endlessly recurring catastrophe.

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.

More info rmation

February 28, 2025

The AMCRS are FMX 2025 Gold Partner!

We, the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart, are beyond excited and very proud to be a GOLD PARTNER of FMX 2025! This year, from May 6 to May 9, 2025, FMX – Film & Media Exchange will offer an outstanding program on-site at the Haus der Wirtschaft in Stuttgart – this time under the motto “RHYTHM OF CHANGE”. A large portion of the presentations will also be available online on demand from May 10 to June 10.

The FMX Program will go public in early March. You can find the first FMX program information here (we recommend subscribing to their newslet ter!).

To the FMX Ticket Shop (Early Bird tickets are available until March 20).

In the coming weeks we’ll keep you posted on the topics and events the AMCRS HEROES will be involved in at the Stuttgart Animated Week aka FMX, Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) and Animation Production Days (APD). We look forward to seeing all of you there!

FMX 2025 Trailer

FMX 2024 Highlights

February 7, 2025

TALENT Meet-Up BW 2025

TALENT Meet-up BW 2025 offers young professionals the opportunity to experience the Stuttgart Animated Week 2025 – FMX – Film & Media Exchange (May 6-9), the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (May 6-11), and the Animation Production Days Conference (May 6) – with a free Combi Ticket. This initiative supports participants in networking, provides personalized program recommendations, and creates an optimal framework for exchange – both among attendees and within the international industry. Additionally, participants will get to know regional support programs and key contacts.

Ahead of Stuttgart Animated Week, the Studi Stage, part of the Open Stage Games BW on March 12, 2025, in Stuttgart, offers a great opportunity for initial networking and exchanges. The official kickoff of the TALENT Meet-up BW 2025 program will take place on May 5, from 14:00 to 16:30 CET in Stuttgart, bringing participants together to start the week. To wrap up the eventful days, a Get-Together on May 9, from 12:30 to 15:00 CET provides a space for sharing experiences and reflections.

Specifically for talents and start-ups from Stuttgart, Wirtschaftsförderung der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart offers additional support: Through the FMX NEW_Comer program, they have the opportunity to secure a booth, a workshop slot, and a speaker badge at FMX 2025 (for more information, please get in touch with Hannah Schneider at hannah.schneider@stuttgart.de).

The TALENT Meet-up BW 2025 program is aimed at individuals who are at the beginning of their own startup journey, those in the midst of developing animation-based content – such as games, XR, VFX, and animation – or those from non-industry but related fields, such as students of (humanities) sciences, who want to connect with professionals from the animation, film, and games industries.

Source (MFG Baden-Württemberg) and more information | Applications are possible until February 17, 2025. The program is free of charge.

Initiated and organized by: MFG Baden-Württemberg, Wirtschaftsförderung Region St uttgart, Film Commission Region Stuttgart, Wirtschaftsförderung der Stadt Stuttgart, Animationsinstitut (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg) and AMCRS

January 26, 2025

New Study: Baden-Württemberg Now Germany’s Leading Hub for Animation Film and VFX

Source: MFG Baden-Württemberg, January 24, 2025

A recent study by the research institute Goldmedia shows that Baden-Württemberg has risen to become Germany’s leading hub for animation films and digital feature film production in recent years. No other federal state in Germany is home to as many companies and professionals generating films and series entirely digitally. Many VFX companies based in Baden-Württemberg also collaborate on major Hollywood productions. Since 2010, the revenue of the local animation and VFX industry has grown by a remarkable 800 percent, reaching 170 million euros. According to the study, this development is largely attributed to the targeted support provided by Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg (MFG).

MFG Managing Director Carl Bergengruen stated: “In 2014, we became the first federal state to introduce a highly effective funding instrument specifically tailored to the animation and visual effects sector, laying the foundation for the significant growth of this industry.” Currently, the revenue in the field of animation and visual effects in Baden-Württemberg is generated by 85 companies. In 2010, there were only around 30 such businesses.

In the field of digital games, the study also identified significant revenue growth of at least 90 percent since 2015, reaching 190 million euros in Baden-Württemberg. This revenue is generated by 146 companies. The substantial growth is partly due to a specialized funding program introduced by the MFG in 2020 for local games companies. This program supports innovative games projects from concept to production.

The study also highlights the industrial policy significance of the animation, VFX, and games sectors for Baden-Württemberg. Technological innovations from these fields are already being applied in a wide range of industries, from the automotive sector and mechanical engineering to healthcare. However, 48 percent of the orders in the VFX and animation industry come from the audiovisual media sector, including film and series productions for cinema, streaming, and television.

In the games market, a significant portion of orders – 45 percent – comes from the entertainment sector of audiovisual media. However, similar to the animation and VFX sectors, there is a growing trend in orders from other industries.

The study also underscores the importance of the 70 industry-relevant degree programs and the highly sought-after networking and advisory activities offered by the MFG in the fields of animation, VFX, and games. Examples include the “Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart” (AMCRS) network.

Source (in German): MFG, Goldmedia

Link to the study

The Stuttgarter Zeitung also reported on this topic in the article “Region Stuttgart ist Spitze bei Spezialeffekten aus Deutschland” on January 24, 2025. To the article

January 2, 2025

Welcome, Red Parrot Studios Stuttgart!

New year – new CREATORS! We’re beyond excited to welcome Red Parrot Studios Stuttgart to our network!

Whether it is 3D animation for the whole family (MOONBOUND, TAFITI), high-quality VFX (THE MUCKLAS… AND HOW THEY CAME TO PETTERSON AND FINDUS), cartoonish 2D animation (FRIEDEFELD) or innovative animation techniques for sophisticated arthouse films (TEHRAN TABOO, LITTLE GERMANS) – ever since its foundation in 2014, Red Parrot Studios has established itself as one of the most creative animation studios in Germany.

Find out more about Red Parrot Studios!

December 23, 2024

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We wish you and your loved ones a fantastic and restful holiday season and a happy, healthy, and successful 2025! Thank you all for your collaboration, your trust in us, and all the wonderful moments we shared together this year. We are already looking forward to the coming year with you!

A thousand thanks to our CREATORS from RECOM FILM for hosting our AMCRS Christmas party! What a wonderful evening!

November 18, 2024

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

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 Ga meZone 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

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-x r.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)

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.