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KI FESTIVAL 2026 in Heilbronn

On July 25 and 26, 2026, the IPAI Foundation’s KI Festival in Heilbronn creates a space for people of all generations to experience artificial intelligence firsthand, engage with it critically, and actively help shape its future. Bringing together research, real-world applications, and art, the two-day interactive festival showcases what human-centered AI looks like – from innovative use cases and interactive art installations to inspiring keynotes, hands-on workshops, live music, and street food.

Our HEROES will also be part of the program:

Sat., July 25, 2026, 15:45-16:35 CET| “Gaming in Zeiten von KI“
Max Schmierer, CEO b.rex, Anna Katharina Brinkschulte, Head of Interactive Media Animationsinstitut / FABW, Sebastian Tyzak, Journalist, and Prof. Dr. Sabiha Ghellal, Professor for Experience and Game Design at Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart (Moderator) | Wirtschaftsministerium Baden-Württemberg
The panel explores how AI is transforming the development, design, and player experience of modern games. | More information

Sat., July 25, 2026, 11:00-19:00 CET / Sun., July 26, 2026, 11:00-18:00 CET | “Carl Laemmle Institut AI Startup Colibri Project“
The joint booth of the Colibri Project and the Carl Laemmle Institut (CLI) at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg demonstrates practical applications of AI in media production – running locally, ensuring data privacy, and operating independently of cloud services. More information

Sat., July 25, 2026, 17:45-18:45 CET | “AI in Film: Insights into the Creative Use of Artificial Intelligence at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg“
Prof. Volker Helzle (Director Carl Laemmle Institut (CLI) / FABW) and Jan Pinkava (Director Animationsinstitut / FABW)
The session opens with a screening of productions from the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg that explore artificial intelligence either as a subject or through its use in the production process. The screening is followed by a discussion offering deeper insights into the creative and technical workflows behind the films. More information & registration

Sat., July 25, 2026, 11:00-19:00 CET / Sun., July 26, 2026, 11:00-18:00 CET | “The Länd of Games“
The Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Handwerk und Tourismus presents the joint pavilion “The Länd of Games” together with the SWR X Lab, featuring, among other things, the arcade game “Fish of Zen” and the VR experience “lichtung”, both by Animationsinstitut / FABW. More information

Sun., July 26, 2026, 12:30-13:20 CET | “KI & Film“
Cedric Engels (Doktor Whatson) and Prof. Volker Helzle (Director Carl Laemmle Institut (CLI) / FABW) present new AI films showcasing the latest possibilities available today. More information

Admission to the KI Festival is free of charge. The festival takes place at Zukunftspark Wohlgelegen, at the IPAI SPACES in Heilbronn.

Source & more information: https://ipai-foundation.ai/ki-festival/

German Reception at Annecy Festival 2026

A few days ago, the Festival d’Animation Annecy (June 13 to 19, 2026) came to a close, with numerous people and projects from the AMCRS in attendance.

The German Reception by the lake, organized by MFG Filmförderung Baden-Württemberg in collaboration with German Films, Animation Germany, Animation Association Germany, AG Kurzfilm – Bundesverband Deutscher Kurzfilm, Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart, Animation Production Days, FMX, Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Film und Medienstiftung NRW, Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung and ITFS, brought together filmmakers, representatives of film institutions, and many more. The stage program was hosted by Jan Pinkava, Director of the Animationsinstitut.

What a beautiful summer event! Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who helped organize the German Reception, and to everyone who joined us. We truly enjoyed the many wonderful conversations and the chance to spend such a lovely afternoon together.

Annecy Filmfestival: https://www.annecyfestival.com/en

Impressions Annecy 2026, German Reception, all photos: Rémi TISSOT

BAFTA Student Awards and Student Academy Awards

Student projects from Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut are in the running for prestigious awards. Congratulations to the teams – we’re keeping our fingers crossed!

The interactive experience LICHTUNG (Director: Aria Wolf; Producers: Cyril Fischer and Christoph Mohr) has been selected as a finalist for the BAFTA Student Awards 2026 in the “Immersive” category. In the interactive VR game (developed by third-year Interactive Media students), players enter a quiet, mysterious world that gradually comes to life as they explore and interact with it – revealing its light and hidden beauty. The BAFTA Student Awards 2026 will be presented on July 17, 2026.

More information LICHTUNG: Animationsinstitut | All BAFTA Student Awards Finalists: Press Release BAFTA

Still LICHTUNG, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

Among the semifinalists for the Student Academy Awards 2026 are THE PANIC INSIDE (Director: Matthias Strasser) and SEND NUDES (Director: David Sick) in the “Animation” category. In addition, the project DREAMS OF A SLEEPING DRAGON (Director: Johann Schilling) has been selected in the “Documentary” category.

More information and team THE PANIC INSIDE: Animationsinstitut | More information and team SEND NUDES: Animationsinstitut | All Student Academy Awards Semifinalists: List

Still THE PANIC INSIDE, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
Still SEND NUDES, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge – Monster Mia

Together with the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (organizer of Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film) and the AMCRS, the 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.

Monster Mia

On Monday, July 13, 2026, at 18.00 CET, the topic will be “MONSTER MIA – von der Filmakademie an die Finsterwald Akademie in 27 Jahren“ (MONSTER MIA – From the Filmakademie to the Rottwich Academy in 27 Years).

It all began in 1997 at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: a chance encounter led to M.A.R.K.13™, which grew into a group of companies – and ultimately into MONSTER MIA, an international animated feature film with deep roots in the region.

Verena Fels (Director) and Dominique FLINX Schuchmann (Producer) – both alumni of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut – will share the story of the film’s journey to the big screen. Joined by numerous artists from Baden-Württemberg and local partners such as Sola Media, they will provide insights into the making of the film, which is set to premiere just in time for Halloween 2026.

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.

MFG

Trailer Monster Mia

Futuromundo Cross Innovation Festival & Cyberländ Futuromundo 2026

Stuttgart will once again become a meeting point for changemakers and future shapers from across Europe on June 25 and 26, 2026. At the FUTUROMUNDO Cross Innovation Festival, around 150 international speakers will come together across five conferences to discuss key challenges of the future and develop practical solutions. The interdisciplinary festival brings together stakeholders from business, education, politics, and technology, offering inspiring and hands-on insights for the transformation of companies, organizations, and educational institutions. The event will take place at venues including the Liederhalle and the Haus der Wirtschaft. The program will be complemented by open-format events held throughout Stuttgart’s city center.

CYBERLÄND FUTUROMUNDO 2026 is the conference on the future of immersive technologies (June 26, 2026 | Haus der Wirtschaft | Content partners: MFG Baden-Württemberg & Acameo). Members of the AMCRS will also be involved, contributing their expertise and perspectives to the program.

CYBERLÄND-STAGE (König Karl Halle)

  • 10:45 CET | Von Strategie zur Anwendung: Kick-Off CyberLÄND-Stream: with, among others, Dr. Ellen Koban (MFG Baden-Württemberg) | Information
  • 14:30 CET | Wie VR medizinisches Lernen verändert: with, among others, Christoph Brosius (Program Curator GiG – Games & Gamification im Gesundheitswesen, MFG) | Information

MASTERCLASS-AREA (Konferenzraum Heilbronn)

  • 11:00 CET | KI-Avatare: Maximilian Schmierer (Co-Founder & CTO, b.ReX) | Information
  • 12:00 CET | Industrial Metaverse Reallabor: with, among others, Dr. Alexander Kreische (Carl Laemmle Institut, FABW), Volker Helzle (Head of Carl Laemmle Institut) | Information
  • 15:30 CET | Game Design für Training im Gesundheitswesen: Christoph Brosius (Program Curator GiG – Games & Gamification im Gesundheitswesen, MFG) | Information

EXPERIENCE-AREA (Exhibition Friedrich-List-Saal)

CO & VISION – How does innovation succeed in CO-partnerships in practice? (June 25 & 26, 2026 | Organizer: MFG, Literaturhaus, Breitscheidstr. 4)

In the MFG Clubhouse “CO & VISION”, the funding program CO.VISION meets the open festival space of FUTUROMUNDO. Over two days, the practical application of cross innovation becomes tangible: CO-partnerships from Baden-Württemberg provide insights into their pilot projects, their collaborations, and their next development steps. Participation is free of charge and possible without a FUTUROMUNDO ticket. Information & Program

Speakers & Topics, among others:

  • Mira Kleine, Project Manager for Entrepreneurial Action at the MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg
  • MyMilo – Gamifizierte Bewegungstherapie für krebskranke Kinder, with, among others, Maximilian Schmierer, b.ReX | Information

Further information & sources: FUTUROMUNDO | MFG Kreativ

Annecy 2026

From June 21 to 27, 2026, this year’s Annecy Festival will take place. Part of the festival is the MIFA Animation Film Market, which runs from June 23 to 26. Projects by filmmakers from our network will also be represented.

As part of the “2026 Annecy Presents” program, “Monster Mia” will be screened. The film is directed by Verena Fels (an alumna of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut), produced by Arx Anima Animation Studio GmbH, and co-produced, among others, by Holger Weiss and Dominique Schuchmann (PENG! BOOM! TSCHAK! – FILMS / The M.A.R.K. 13 Group). International sales: Solveig Langeland (Sola Media). The project received funding from MFG Baden-Württemberg. More information

Also featured in “2026 Annecy Presents” is “The Last Whale Singer” (Der letzte Walsänger), directed by Reza Memari. The film, which was likewise supported by MFG Baden-Württemberg, was also part of the ITFS 2026 program. More information

Competing in the “Graduation Film” category is “The Amazing Kitsuverse”, directed by Leo Neumann. The film is a graduation project from Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut. More information

Additional program events will offer insights into the upcoming productions “Twisted” and “ViQueens”, both of which involve Sola Media. More information

About Annecy Festival: https://www.annecyfestival.com/en

German Film Awards 2026

In the “Best Visual Effects” category at the Deutscher Filmpreis 2026 (German Film Awards 2026), Michael Wortmann (RISE) and Frank Schlegel won the LOLA for “Momo.” Michael Wortmann is a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut. Also nominated in this category were VFX supervisors Max Riess and Mona Mohr (PIXOMONDO) for “Woodwalkers 2,” as well as Tomer Eshed, Dennis Rettkowski, and Frank Kaminski for “Die Schule der magischen Tiere 4” – both productions funded by MFG Baden-Württemberg.

Michael Wortmann, Frank Schlegel (not there) · MOMO I BESTE VISUELLE EFFEKTE at DEUTSCHER FILMPREIS 2026 in Berlin. Copyright: Eventpress Fuhr
Michael Klammer and Michael Wortmann at Deutscher Filmpreis 2026 Messe Berlin © Clemens Porikys

The film “In die Sonne schauen” (“Sound of Falling”) received the Golden Lola for Best Feature Film and won a total of ten Lolas. Numerous alumni of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg were involved in the production. The awards spanned nearly all creative and technical disciplines – from directing and screenwriting to cinematography, editing, production design, costume design, makeup, and sound design. Back in 2023, directors Mascha Schilinski and Louise Peter had already received the Thomas Strittmatter Award from MFG Baden-Württemberg for the screenplay of “In die Sonne schauen”.

Conratulations to all the winners and nominees!

Sources: Deutscher Filmpreis | MFG

ITFS 2026 – Winners announced

ITFS 2026, photo: Reiner Pfisterer

For one week, Stuttgart was immersed in animation fever as ITFS invited both the national and international industry as well as a broad regional audience to discover and experience the very best of animation on screen across around 150 events. The Award Ceremony took place on Saturday evening, May 9, 2026, at Gloria 1. Six film awards and one project award were presented across the various competition categories.

The ITFS International Competition Grand Prix, endowed with € 10,000, went to the short film WITH TAPES AND TOASTS IN THE CAR by Stuttgart-based filmmaker Kiana Naghshineh, a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut. The award automatically qualifies the film for the Academy Awards. The French-German co-production also impressed audiences and additionally received the Audience Award, sponsored by SWR. The graduation film SENSUAL by Tanja Nuijten, a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut, recieved a Special Mention at the Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award.

WITH TAPES AND TOASTS IN THE CAR, Kiana Nagshineh
Kiana Nagshineh receives the Trixie statue, photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
Kiana Nagshineh, photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
SENSUAL, Tanja Nuijten, FABW

ITFS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Grand Prix (Animation Award of the State of Baden-Württemberg and the City of Stuttgart in the amount of 10,000 euros) and Audience Award (Award for the Best Animated Film voted by the Audience in the amount of 6,000 euros,
sponsored by SWR):

WITH TAPES AND TOASTS IN THE CAR (IM AUTO TAPES UND BUTTERBROT)
Germany, France 2025
Director: Kiana Naghshineh | Production: Laïdak Films, ManicMonday | Producers: Antoine Liétout, Henrik von Müller, Ivan Zuber, Kiana Naghshineh | World Sales: Miyu Distribution

Jury: Hisko Hulsing, Melanie Beisswenger, Vera Neubauer

Special Mention at the Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award (Award for the Best Animated Graduation Film in the amount of 10,000 euros, sponsored by MFG Film Funding Baden-Württemberg)

SENSUAL
Germany 2026
Director: Tanja Nuijten | Production: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH | Producer: Avina Graefe | World Sales: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH

Earlier in the festival, on Thursday evening, the German Animation Screenplay Awards and the Trickstar Business Award were presented during the AniX Awards ceremony at the Festival Centre. The festival’s final award was presented on Sunday afternoon on the Open Air stage: the Kids’ Jury honoured the best lm in the ITFS Tricks for Kids Competition in front of an eagerly awaiting audience.

All Winners at ITFS 2026: https://itfs.de/en/programme/winners-2026/

Save the Date: The 34th Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film will take place from 27 April to 2 May 2027. https://itfs.de/

Our Creators @ ITFS on Sunday, May 10, 2026!

The final day of the STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK 2026 is here – after a week full of events and inspiration, amazing encounters with old and new friends, tons of input on the latest developments in art, technology, and research, hopefully lots of new project ideas and collaborations – and, of course, a celebration of films, games, and all kinds of media projects and experiences! We hope you made it this far and had an incredible time!

Here’s where you can find out how our CREATORS are involved with ITFS on Sunday, May 10, 2026.

By the way: Accredited FMX attendees can watch selected program sessions on demand from May 9 to June 9, 2026 via FMX on Demand: https://fmx.de/en/on-demand.
Accredited ITFS industry visitors can, upon request, view the submitted animated films in the Animated Video Market: https://itfs.de/en/practical-info/animated-video-market/.

Extra tip: the German theatrical premiere of “The Light of Aisha” (“Aisha und das verlorene Buch”) takes place at 15:00 CET in EM 4 – director Shadi Adib and additional guests will be present (tickets here). The film was co-produced by M.A.R.K. 13.

ITFS, Photo: Max Kullmann

11:00-17:00
ITFS, Staatsgalerie Säulensaal
GameZone Extended
Hochschule der Medien, Animationsinstitut / FABW, Merz Akademie, Studio Seufz
https://itfs.de/en/show/gamezone-extended-4/

10:00
ITFS, Gloria 2
Fantoche Kids Film Collection 2025
“Lenas Hof: Der Stachel im Po” by Elena Walf. Thomas Meyer-Herrmann (Producer), Studio FILMBILDER
https://itfs.de/en/show/fantoche-kids-film-collection-2025-2/

15:00
ITFS, Open Air
Award Ceremony Tricks for Kids
https://itfs.de/en/show/tricks-for-kids-award-ceremony-2/

15:00
ITFS, Gloria 2
AniMovie Special Teens: The Boy at the Edge of the World
Sola Media Sales agent: Sola Media, Germany Premiere
https://itfs.de/en/show/animovie-special-teens-the-boy-at-the-edge-of-the-world-2/

17:30
ITFS, Cinema
One Day at a Time
“Schroedinger’s Cat” by Rene Ruf, Julia Kraß, Hochschule der Medien
https://itfs.de/en/show/one-day-at-a-time-2/

Our Creators @ ITFS on Saturday, May 9, 2026!

Let’s head into the weekend – and into Day 5 of STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK 2026! Enjoy your time at ITFS and check out who from our CREATORS – and which of their projects – will also be featured there on Saturday, May 9. In the evening, the big ITFS awards ceremony will take place – we’re keeping our fingers crossed for all the nominees!

ITFS, Photo: Max Kullmann

11:00-20:00
ITFS, Staatsgalerie Säulensaal
GameZone Extended
Hochschule der Medien, Animationsinstitut / FABW, Merz Akademie, Studio Seufz
https://itfs.de/en/show/gamezone-extended-8/

10:00
ITFS, Festival Centre, Filmmakers‘ Lounge
Filmmakers’ Talk: International Competition 4
https://itfs.de/en/show/filmmakers-talk-international-competition-4-4/

10:00
ITFS, Festival Centre, Eugen-Bolz-Saal
Work in Progress: ZAKO
https://itfs.de/en/show/work-in-progress-zako-2/

10:30
ITFS, Festival Centre, Veronika-Saal
Workshop: AR Story Telling
https://itfs.de/en/show/workshop-ar-story-telling-2/

11:00
ITFS, Gloria 2
Tricks for Kids 3: Komm, ich helfe dir!
“3 Kapitäne” by Julia Ocker, Thomas Meyer-Hermann (producer, Studio Film Bilder); “Kito, Maja und die Kugelkiste – Vom PUMPHUT und der Windstille” by Eliza Plocieniak-Alvarez, Alumna Animationsinstitut / FABW
https://itfs.de/en/show/tricks-for-kids-3-komm-ich-helfe-dir-2/

12:00
ITFS, Festival Centre, Filmmakers‘ Lounge
Filmmakers’ Talk: Student Competition 3+4
https://itfs.de/en/show/filmmakers-talk-student-competition-34-4/

12:30
ITFS, Gloria 2
German Animation 1: Memories, What Remains
“A Sparrow’s Song” by Tobias Eckerlin, AMCRS friend, Alumnus Animationsinstitut / FABW
https://itfs.de/en/show/german-animation-1-memories-what-remains-2/

13:00
ITFS, Gloria 1
International Competition 1: Path of Life (Repetition 2)
“With Tapes and Toasts in the Car” by Kiana Nagshineh, Alumna Animationsinstitut / FABW
https://itfs.de/en/show/international-competition-1-repetition-2-2/

14:00
ITFS, Open Air
Rabbit Academy – Die Häschenschule
SERU
https://itfs.de/en/show/rabbit-academy-die-haeschenschule-2/

14:00
ITFS, Festival Centre, Eugen-Bolz-Saal
Work in Progress: Animation from Kenya
https://itfs.de/en/show/work-in-progress-animation-from-kenya-2/

14:30
ITFS, Open Air, Activity Area
Helden-Workshop: Rabbit Academy
Workshop for kids 6+ with the characters of the animated series “Rabbit Academy” (SERU)
https://itfs.de/en/show/helden-workshop-rabbit-academy-2/

15:00
ITFS, Gloria 2
Tricks for Kids 4: Nach Hause kommen
“Lenas Hof: Volles Nest” by Elena Walf. Thomas Meyer-Herrmann (Producer), Studio FILMBILDER
https://itfs.de/en/show/tricks-for-kids-4-nach-hause-kommen-2/

15:00
ITFS, Cinema
School Presentation: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg & Animationsinstitut
Projects of Animationsinstitut / FABW students & alumni
https://itfs.de/en/show/school-presentation-filmakademie-baden-wuerttemberg-animationsinstitut-4/

15:05
ITFS, Open Air
Trickstar Nature Kids & Family: Kleine Grosse Welt
“Lenas Hof: Volles Nest” by Elena Walf. Thomas Meyer-Herrmann (Producer), Studio FILMBILDER
https://itfs.de/en/show/trickstar-nature-kids-family-kleine-grosse-welt-2/

16:00
ITFS, Staatsgalerie, Metzlersaal
Game Talk: Hochschule der Medien
https://itfs.de/en/show/game-talk-hochschule-der-medien-2/

16:05
ITFS, Open Air
Alles voller Monster
Pixomondo, Lavalabs, won German Animation Screenplay Award
https://itfs.de/en/show/alles-voller-monster-2/

16:30
ITFS, Festival Centre, Eugen-Bolz-Saal
Workshop Talk: Speaking Minion
https://itfs.de/en/show/workshop-talk-speaking-minion-2/

17:00
ITFS, Staatsgalerie, Metzlersaal
Game Talk: Studio Seufz
https://itfs.de/en/show/game-talk-studio-seufz-2/

17:30
ITFS, Open Air 
ITFS Connects: Comic Battle
Host: Barbara M. Eggert, Merz Akademie
https://www.merz-akademie.de/en/veranstaltungen/merz-akademie-itfs-connects-comic-battle/

19:00
ITFS, Gloria 1
Award Ceremony ITFS 2026
https://itfs.de/en/show/award-ceremony-4/

20:00
ITFS, Gloria 2
German Animation 2: Playgrounds
“Dr. Dr. Themefart” by Andreas Hykade, Studio FILM BILDER
https://itfs.de/en/show/german-animation-2-playgrounds-2/

20:00
ITFS, Cinema
Best of ITFS 2025
“Pear Garden” by Shadab Shayegan, Alumna Animationsinstitut / FABW
https://itfs.de/en/show/best-of-itfs-2025-2/