Yesterday, the nominations for the Annie Awards 2024 were announced! Three out of five nominations in the “Best Student Film” category went to diploma projects from Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut! Wow, congratulations to everyone involved!
POLLIWOG (kaulquappe) Student Director: Julia Skala Student Producer: Max Pollmann
TURMSPRINGER Student Director: Oscar Bittner Student Producer: Andra Berila
PEAR GARDEN, Image: FABW
POLLIWOG, Image: FABW
TURMSPRINGER, Image: FABW
We have our fingers crossed for the ceremony at the 52. Annual Annie Awards on February 8, 2025! List of all nominees
Trailer PEAR GARDEN
Trailer POLLIWOG
Oscar Bittner on TURMSPRINGER
December 20, 2024
Mucks! Games are on board!
We are delighted to welcome the indie game studio Mucks! Games as new CREATORS in our network!
Mucks! Games
Mucks! Games is based in Ludwigsburg and was founded in 2023 by three graduates of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg‘s Animationsinstitut – Clara Deitmar, Julius Dorsel and Luzie Kehle. Their logo, a screaming mouse, symbolizes that even the smallest voices have meaningful stories to tell: “We create atmospheric and visually unique 2D story games with powerful messages. Our games blend poetic narratives with immersive worlds and interactive formats – games and story experiences for both indie enthusiasts and casual players.”
Filmschau Baden-Württemberg (December 4 to 8, 2024)
The Filmschau Baden-Württemberg, the state film festival in Stuttgart, takes place annually over five days at the beginning of December in Stuttgart’s Innenstadtkinos – this year it celebrates its 30th anniversary from December 4 to 8. Around 120 films are presented by professionals from the industry and up-and-coming filmmakers from Baden-Württemberg’s film schools. Feature films, short films, animated films, documentaries and commercials will be shown, including many premieres.
It is organized by the Filmbüro Baden-Württemberg e.V.. In the competition for the Baden-Württembergischer Filmpreis, the best productions are awarded by five three-member expert juries in the categories Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Animated Film and Best Commercial Film. Prizes with a total value of up to 10,000 euros are awarded.
Members of the AMCRS are also strongly represented in the program, including numerous projects by alumni and students of Baden-Württemberg’s film and media academies and universities.
Animationsinstitut of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: CERVUS ROSTRATUS (Director: Tobias Eckerlin), CONTRADICTION OF EMPTINESS (Director: Irina Rubina), DEAD END (Director: Fabienne Prieß, Levin Tamoj), DETLEV (Director: Ferdinand Ehrhardt), PEAR GARDEN (Director: Shadab Shayegan), KRONOS (Director: Lasse Falk, Haiyang Liu), IN A TIME WARP (Director: Anh Tú Nguyen), THE DEEP ABOVE – FIRST HUNT (Director: Niklas Wolff), KAULQUAPPE (Director: Julia Skala), MIND THE GAP (Director: Gwenola Heck), TURMSPRINGER (Director: Oscar Bittner) …
Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart: OUT THERE (Director: Ben Marquardt), AUSGELIEFERT (Director: Mauriz Thabo Röckle), FROGGING HELL (Director: Louis Reichardt), KINNHAKENHANK (Director: Sebastian Greim) (all HdM films)
Studio FILM BILDER: ANIMANIMUSICAL (Director: Julia Ocker), FRITZI UND SOPHIE – GRENZENLOSE FREUNDSCHAFT; EPISODE 4: BEINAHE VERHAFTET (Director: Ralf Kukula, Matthias Buhn, Thomas Meyer‐Hermann)
LAVAlabs (VFX): CRANKO (Director: Prof. Dr. Joachim A. Lang)
In the supporting program, the Schnupperkino awaits the youngest moviegoers with a short film reel featuring ANIMANIMALS, MEIN TIER AUF DER SCHMUSEDECKE and TOM UND DAS ERDBEERMARMELADEBROT MIT HONIG (all Studio FILM BILDER).
The new category “Best Visual Effects (VFX)” focuses on the area of the film industry in the southwest, which has achieved a leading position creatively and economically in Germany and throughout Europe. The nominees: CRANKO – Rolf Muetze (VFX Supervisor), Juri Stanossek (Associate VFX Supervisor) and Alexandra Stautmeister (VFX Producer) (LAVAlabs), AVATAR – THE LAST AIRBENDER – Emanuel Fuchs (VFX Supervisor), Gus Martinez (VFX supervisor) and Amelie Dillig (VFX producer) (Accenture Song VFX), BLUE BEETLE – RISE FX, GHOSTED – RISE FX
Press Release Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and Animationsinstituts, Ludwigsburg, November 12, 2024
Open Days at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: A Look Behind the Scenes – Online and On-Site in Ludwigsburg
The world of media is becoming increasingly diverse: films, series, streaming services, and transmedia formats. How can young people navigate this wide array of options to discover their interests and determine the right educational or career path for them? The Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW) and its Animationsinstitut provide guidance with two Open Days. On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the Filmakademie will participate online in the statewide Study Information Day. Additionally, the FABW will host an on-site event on Thursday, November 28, 2024, offering exclusive insights to visitors in Ludwigsburg.
Set Extension Workshop 2023, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
Whether it’s about study programs, admission requirements, or campus life in Ludwigsburg – lecturers, students, study coordinators, and project supervisors will be available to answer questions and present the various disciplines of the Filmakademie. The student office will also provide comprehensive advice on applications, tuition fees, and admission requirements. Upon request, attendees can receive a certificate of participation.
Overview of degree programs and specializations at the Filmakademie:
At Filmakademie: Cinematography, Documentary Film (Directing), Screenwriting (Feature Film & Series), Film Music, Film Sound/Sound Design, Journalistic Film (Directing), Editing, Motion Design, Production: Executive & Line Producing / International Producing / Series Producing, Production Design / Art Direction, Narrative Film (Directing), Commercial Film (Directing & Producing)
In advance, interested individuals have the opportunity to explore the campus and the Animationsinstitut on the Filmakademie’s YouTube channels, watch informational videos, and discover numerous films: www.youtube.com/@FilmakademieBW www.youtube.com/@InsideFABW
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-xr.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)
Photos: FABW
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.
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. The next event will take place on October 22, 2024, at 18:30 CET at Albrecht-Ade Studio (Animationsinstitut / Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg), Akademiehof 10, 71638 Ludwigsburg.
Admission is free! Please register in advance at contact@amcrs.de. Please note: The event will be recorded, but is not hybrid.
Program Schedule:
„EMIL“ | Research & Development, Animationsinstitut, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg The EU-funded project EMIL (European Media and Immersion Lab) aims to promote innovations and developments in cutting-edge XR technologies, as well as strengthen relationships between the creative industries and potential innovation partners across Europe. The staff of the Research & Development department at the Animationsinstitut will provide insights into the international network, the status of the diverse, funded projects after the first two years, and present their lighthouse project “FATE OF THE MINOTAUR”, a VR adventure for up to four players, which can be tested on-site afterward. EMIL – European Media and Immersion Lab (emil-xr.eu)
„MAX-R“ | Research & Development, Animationsinstitut, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg The MAX-R project (Mixed Augmented and Extended Reality Media Pipeline) is a 30-month HORIZON EUROPE initiative. Eleven project partners from across Europe are developing tools for the creation and processing of high-quality XR content, based on real-time workflows. The Animationsinstitut contributes to the project with innovations such as “DIGITAL LOCATIONS,” a demonstrator of virtual replicas of real filming locations for virtual productions, and “ANIMHOST,” an AI-driven system for real-time animations. In this presentation, the Research & Development team will provide insights into the technologies and key project outcomes. MAX-R (UPF)
FIRST STEPS Awards for Filmakademie Students and Films
A major success for Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and its Animationsinstitut: Four FIRST STEPS Awards 2024 were won by students and productions from the renowned Ludwigsburg-based film school. At the prestigious awards ceremony on September 30, 2024, held at the Theater des Westens in Berlin, creative works and impressive emerging talents were honoured, capturing the attention of this year’s expert jury. With innovative concepts, gripping stories, and outstanding cinematography, FABW students secured several of the highly sought-after prizes.
In the Short Steps category, the animated film PEAR GARDEN by Shadab Shayegan stood out. Produced at the Filmakademie’s Animationsinstitut, it tells the story of six-year-old Lili and her first visit to her grandmother after she underwent a mastectomy. The jury commended the film’s “quiet tones” and remarked: “Through sensitive storytelling and impressive imagery, PEAR GARDEN invites us to feel the fragility and strength of the human condition.“
Short Steps Winner Shadab Shayegan / PEAR GARDEN, FIRST STEPS 2024, (c) Eventpress / Fuhr
The Feature Film category was won by VENA (directed by Chiara Fleischhacker), cinematographer Lisa Jilg received the Michael Ballhaus Award for her outstanding work on VENA, and Samuel Gheist (Diploma 2024) won in the Screenplay category for his series pilot BITE BACK.
The FIRST STEPS Award is the most significant accolade for graduation films from film schools in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. With a total prize fund of € 132,000, it is the highest-endowed young talent award in the German-speaking region. Each year, awards are presented across ten categories, recognising directors, producers, cinematographers, actors, and screenwriters. In 2024, 13 productions from Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg were nominated. Nominations alone come with a prize of €1,000 each.
It is with great sadness that we learned of Angela Jedek‘s passing. As an animation supervisor and director, she was a true pioneer with heart. As a beloved member of the The M.A.R.K.13™ family, alumna of the Animationsinstitut at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, and a treasured friend and colleague of the Stuttgart animation community, she left a mark that will never fade. As an animator, she contributed her talent to the feature films “I, Robot”, “Maya the Bee Movie”, and “Knight Rusty”, among others.
In a portrait for the Filmakademie, she once shared, “For me, the special thing about my job is when I get to animate characters and manage to give them emotions that make the viewer forget they are animations“. This love for her craft touched and inspired so many.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family, her husband, and her children. Our hearts and thoughts are with them, and we wish them much strength during this difficult time.
The First Steps Awards is the most important German prize for young filmmakers. This year, the expert jury has made its choice from over 200 entries and announced the nominees. The winners will be announced on Monday, September 30 at the Theater des Westens in Berlin and broadcast as a livestream in the ARD Mediathek from 19:30 CET. The nominations alone are associated with a prize of 1,000 euros.
Among the nominees is MORIA SIX by Jennifer Mallmann, produced by our CREATORS from FFL Film- und Fernseh-Labor Ludwigsburg and funded by MFG, was nominated in the “Documentary” category. The film takes a critical look at the new European refugee policy, using the example of the controversial conviction of six refugees who were held responsible for the devastating fire in the Moria camp on Lesbos in September 2020.
PEAR GARDEN (director: Shadab Shayegan) is nominated in the “Short Steps” category and uses a purist drawing technique to sensitively tell the story of a grandmother who has lost her breasts through a mastectomy and the associated fears of her grandchild. More about PEAR GARDEN
SCRUBBY (director: Paul Vollet) is also nominated in the “Short Steps” category. The titular creature wants to live in its mother’s thick fur forever. But in his search for security, Scrubby realizes that even strong people sometimes lose their strength and need someone to lean on. More about SCRUBBY
We congratulate everyone involved and keep our fingers crossed!
Jobs at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut
The Animationsinstitut is part of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and one of the world’s leading institutions for Animation, Visual Effects, Technical Directing, Animation/Effects Producing and Interactive Media. In their Research and Development Department, a highly skilled and motivated team of researchers, engineers and artists works on the next generation of tools, workflows and content for Film, Animation, VFX and XR-Immersive Media.
They currently have the following vacancies:
Virtual Production Engineer (m/f/d), part time (50 %) The responsibilities include: Technical support in the virtual production environment incl. Mocap, Ncam, LED wall (incl. controller), studio lighting, high-end graphics workstation Supervision of virtual productions at the FABW incl. basic lectures Support for non-linear production formats (XR) with new technologies Job posting and application
Lecturers to conduct a workshop on “Diversity-oriented teaching” The six major German film schools (German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB), Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, University of Television and Film Munich (HFF), International Film School Cologne (ifs), Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM) and Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg) drew up a joint position paper with specific voluntary commitments entitled “Together for Gender Equality” at the beginning of 2018. A common goal of the film schools and part of the voluntary commitment is to strengthen the diversity skills of teaching staff. To this end, workshops are to be offered for teachers at the film schools between October 2024 and July 2025. Job posting and application
