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
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
“A Sparrow’s Song“ team at the Annie Awards: Vincent Maurer, Tobias Eckerlin, Lilli-Luisa Heckmann (Photo (c) private)
“A Sparrow’s Song” won the award in the Best Student Film category at the 53rd Annie Awards! We congratulate the team behind this diploma project from Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg‘s Animationsinstitut:
Student Director / Student Producer: Tobias Eckerlin, Lead Technical Director: Vincent Maurer, Lead Character Artist: Elias Weber, Lead Animation: Lilli-Luisa Heckmann, Lead Animation: Jiro Magracia, Lead Groom/Feathers Artist: Rebecca Liebelt – and many more!
In the category Best TV/Media – Children, “The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball – Episode: The Rewrite” by Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe won the award. Our CREATORS from Studio Soi were also involved in the production of the animated series.
Animationsinstitut alumni – center Tobias Eckerlin, Vincent Maurer and Lilli-Luisa Heckmann, framed by Oscar Jacobson and Franz Rügamer (nominated for The Undying Pain of Existence) (Photo (c) private)
Lilli-Luisa Heckmann, Tobias Eckerlin, Vincent Maurer (Screenshot Live Stream Annie Awards (ASIFA Hollywood))
February 13, 2026
AMCRS Launch New AI Initiative
The Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart are developing a new initiative on the topic of Artificial Intelligence. Representatives of members of the AMCRS – including Jiayan Chen (SERU Animation), Andreas Hykade and Alexander Kreische (Animationsinstitut, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg), Matthias Drescher (FFL Film- und Fernseh-Labor Ludwigsburg), Maximilian Pfisterer and Willy Löbl (Frischvergiftung), Hans-Martin Schurer (Octomotion) and the AMCRS Manager Stefanie Larson – came together in an initial round of discussions, to exchange ideas and perspectives.
This regularly held open format will focus on topics, developments, and challenges in working with Artificial Intelligence and offer interested participants opportunities for dialogue and further development. Stay tuned – we will keep you updated on upcoming dates.
left to right: Jiayan Chen, Willy Löbl, Matthias Drescher, Andreas Hykade, Alexander Kreische, Hans-Martin Schurer, Stefanie Larson (Photos: Frischvergiftung)
Willy Löbl, Matthias Drescher
Maximilian Pfisterer, Jiayan Chen
Hans-Martin Schurer, Stefanie Larson
January 30, 2026
TALENT Meet-up BW 2026
In 2026, the TALENT Meet-up BW will once again offer young professionals the opportunity to experience the Stuttgart Animated Week (FMX – Film & Media Exchange (May 5 to 7, 2026), Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (May 5 to 10, 2026), and the APD Conference (May 5, 2026))with a free combi ticket. The program supports participants in networking, provides personalized program recommendations, and creates a framework for optimal exchange – both among participants and within the international industry. In addition, attendees will get to know regional support services and contact persons.
The program is aimed at individuals who are at the beginning of their own startup journey, currently developing animation-based content such as games, XR, VFX, or animation, or who are from related but non-industry fields, such as students in (humanities) sciences seeking to network with professionals from the animation, film, and games sectors. The offer is free of charge.
Applications are open until February 23, 2026, with responses provided by March 19, 2026. Apply now via the online form!
Filmakademie BW establishes the Carl Laemmle Institute for Research & Media Innovation (CLI)
Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH (FABW) is sharpening its profile as an internationally leading institution for education and research in film and media: with the establishment of the new Carl Laemmle Institute (CLI), the academy will consolidate its activities in artistic-technological research, digital innovation, and forward-looking production methods.
The centrally anchored institute within the Filmakademie will be headed by Professor Volker Helzle, who has long served as a key driver at FABW’s Animationsinstitut, where he coordinated research and development. Under his leadership, the institute is set to function as an interdisciplinary platform for applied research and development and to foster knowledge transfer between art, science, and industry.
Andreas Bareiß, Volker Helzle, Photo: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
About the Carl Laemmle Institute (CLI): The Carl Laemmle Institute (CLI) consolidates the research and development activities of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH (FABW) into a centrally embedded research and development department and serves as a key interface between education, applied research, and industry partnerships. The institute emerges from the former research and development department of FABW’s Animationsinstitut and advances its work structurally, conceptually, and strategically.
The institute’s research fields include, among others, virtual production methods, extended reality, AI-supported creative and production processes, cross-innovation, new forms of human–machine interaction, as well as sustainable and resource-efficient production models for film, games, and immersive media.
With the naming of the institute, FABW deliberately connects to the legacy of Baden-Württemberg–born pioneer Carl Laemmle. In 1912, he founded the film studio Universal Pictures in Los Angeles, played a decisive role in the rise of Hollywood, and significantly shaped the international film industry. The reference to Laemmle stands for a spirit of innovation, visionary entrepreneurship, and the courage to create new structures for creative work. At the same time, it underscores the institute’s ambition to rethink film as a cultural, technological, and social force – with an international perspective and openness to radically new ideas.
Full announcement by the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW) with further information and quotes from Dr. Andreas Bareiß, Director of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Professor Volker Helzle, Petra Olschowski, Minister of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg, and Rosemary Laemmle Hilb, great-grandniece of Carl Laemmle.
January 6, 2026
Annie Awards nominations for diploma projects from the Animationsinstitut!
Two diploma projects from the Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg have made it onto the nomination list for Best Student Film at the 53rd Annie Awards. Congratulations to everyone involved!
A SPARROW’S SONG Student Director / Student Producer: Tobias Eckerlin Lead Technical Director: Vincent Maurer, Lead Character Artist: Elias Weber, Lead Animation: Lilli-Luisa Heckmann, Lead Animation: Jiro Magracia, Lead Groom/Feathers Artist: Rebecca Liebelt – and many more!
A Sparrow’s Song, Credits: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
A SPARROW’S SONG team (l.t.r.): Rebecca Liebelt, Jiro Magracia, Tobias Eckerlin, Vincent Maurer, Lilli-Luisa Heckmann & Elias Weber
THE UNDYING PAIN OF EXISTENCE Student Director: Oscar Jacobson Student Producers: Franz Rügamer, Nadiia Yunatska and many more!
The Undying Pain of Existence, Credits: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
The Undying Pain of Existence, Oscar Jacobson at his Diploma Showroom, FABW
Both projects have already received numerous awards: “A Sparrow’s Song”, for example, has won the Student Academy Award in Gold, while “The Undying Pain of Existence” received an award at the Filmschau Baden-Württemberg. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the awards ceremony at the 53rd Annual Annie Awards on February 21, 2026! The ceremony can be streamed live here: https://annieawards.org/watch-it-live
