Filmmakers can submit their entries for the 32. Filmschau Baden-Württemberg and the 23. Jugendfilmpreis until August 31, 2026. The festival, taking place in Stuttgart from December 2-6, 2026, is accepting submissions in the categories feature film, short film, documentary, animated film, VFX (by students or professional filmmakers), and commercial.
All submissions must have a connection to the state of Baden-Württemberg, for example, by having been filmed in the region, supported by the MFG Filmförderung, produced by SWR, or created at one of the state’s media universities.
Entries must be submitted using the application forms available for download on the Filmschau BW and Jugendfilmpreis websites www.filmschaubw.de and www.jugendfilmpreis.de.
Jury Animation:Nina Prange (Creative Producer, graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut), Regina Welker (Creative Director, first feature film “Latte Igel und der magische Wasserstein”, graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut), and Sveta Yuferova (Director and Animator, “Little Fan”).
Jury VFX Studios:Jan Adamczyk (VFX Supervisor, credits include “The Dark Knight”, “Sherlock Holmes”, lecturer in VFX and Animation at Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart), Johanna Manz (VFX Producer, including at RISE FX, credits include “Stranger Things 3”, “Avatar: The Last Airbender”), and Julia Smola (credits include “Oblivion”, “Hugo Cabret”, including at Scanline, Pixomondo).
Jury VFX Students: Heiko Burkardsmaier (VFX Executive Producer and Head of Business & Legal Affairs at Accenture Song VFX, credits include “Hugo Cabret”, “Game of Thrones”, recipient of the Baden-Württemberg Honorary Film Award in 2024), Johanna Manz (VFX Producer, including at RISE FX, credits include “Stranger Things 3”, “Avatar: The Last Airbender”), and Julia Smola (credits include “Oblivion”, “Hugo Cabret”, including at Scanline, Pixomondo).
Further information about the juries is available here.
All submissions will first be reviewed by the festival’s head of program. Based on this selection process, the films selected for the Filmschau BW program and those nominated for the Baden-Württemberg Film Awards and the Jugendfilmpreis competitions will be announced. At the conclusion of the festival and the Jugendfilmpreis, all award winners will be revealed and honoured. The Filmschau BW is organized by the Filmbüro Baden-Württemberg.
Learn more about the nominees and winners from the AMCRS network at the 2025 Filmschau BW.
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.
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 June23 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 2026program. 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
As part of the About Pop Festival & Convention 2026 (June 12-13, 2026), About Next will take place on June 13 – a sub-conference bringing together the creative industries, start-ups, technology, and innovation.
About Next creates space for exchange, new collaborations, and fresh impulses between the creative scene, businesses, and the public sector. At its core are the opportunities of a strong regional innovation ecosystem in which creative and entrepreneurial skills work hand in hand. Expect panels, talks, workshops, and best-practice formats on current topics such as new business models, digital sovereignty, community building, and sustainable cultural work. About Next highlights how creative industries are increasingly becoming a driving force for transformation, economic development, and regional attractiveness. Following the program, a get-together in the networking area with food and drinks invites participants to connect and exchange ideas.
About Pop 2025, photo: Ilkay Karakurt
The format was initiated by Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH together with MFG Baden-Württemberg, the City of Stuttgart, and the companies HearDis!, and Gold und Wirtschaftswunder.
As part of About Next, MFG Baden-Württemberg will present the workshop “Creative Collaboration – Wie stärkt Brückenkompetenz cross-innovative Zusammenarbeit?“ featuring Mira Kleine, Project Manager for Entrepreneurial Action. The workshop explores how bridging competencies can strengthen collaboration across different disciplines and industries, with a focus on new perspectives for cross-innovative processes between the creative industries, technology, and other economic sectors.
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026, Doors open: 9:30 CET, Program: 10-18 CET | Location:HearDis! Space, Christophstraße 6, 70178 Stuttgart
Free convention tickets are available via this link. The ticket includes access to About Next as well as the convention programme on Friday. Optionally, the ticket can be upgraded to include the full About Pop program.
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/
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/
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/
Our Creators @ FMX and ITFS on Friday, May 8, 2026!
STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK 2026 – Day 4: Where will you find our CREATORSon Friday, May 8, at FMX and ITFS? Let’s find this out, and other highlights! Please note: All FMX program sessions on Friday will take place either on the Filmakademie Campus in Ludwigsburg or online.
FMX, Photo: Dominique Brewing
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-10/
12:30 FMX, Ade-Studio, Filmakademie Campus Can animated content reach beyond the tween audience? Can talent earn a living from it? Arne Hain, Eliza Plocieniak-Alvarez, Alumni Animationsinstitut / FABW; Panel “Fresh Visions” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/36162
Our Creators @ FMX, ITFS und APD on Thursday, May 7, 2026!
Our CREATORS are involved in numerous talks, presentations, screenings, meetings and events at FMX, ITFS and APD on Thursday, May 7 – Day 3 of the STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK2026. Find out where and when, and discover many more highlights!
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-2/
9:00-12:15 APD, Landesmuseum Württemberg – Altes Schloss Co-Production and Financing Market, Tailored One-to-One Meetings “The Little Dormouse”, gretels gold https://animationproductiondays.de/programme/market/
10:00 FMX, König-Karl-Halle The Craft of Sound: Innovation and Workflows at Walt Disney Animation Studios Panel “Sound Design” curated by Nami Strack, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35083
10:00 FMX, Raum Reutlingen From Prototype to Market: Building the Next Wave of Creative Startups and Founders in Baden-Württemberg Veljko Sekelj, Hochschule der Medien, Panel “LÄND-made” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35068
10:30 ITFS, Festival Centre, Veronika-Saal Making of: German Children’s Series “Kito & Maja – The Dream Globe Tales” by Eliza Plocieniak-Alvarez & Carol Ratajczak, Alumni Animationsinstitut / FABW https://itfs.de/en/show/making-of-german-childrens-series-2/
12:30 FMX, Meidinger-Saal & VOD From Pixels to Waveforms: How AI Bridges the Gap Between Picture and Sound Panel “Sound Design” curated by Nami Strack, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35085
17:00 FMX, Raum Reutlingen & VOD Adult Animation in a Kids’ Industry: Making Task Force Querlitz in Germany Arne Hain, Alumnus Animationsinstitut / FABW; Panel “Fresh Visions” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35022
19:00 ITFS, Festival Centre, Eugen-Bolz-Saal AnixAwards German Animation Screenplay Awards (sponsored by AMCRS, Sola Media), Trickstar Business Award https://itfs.de/en/show/anixawards-2/
21:30 Die Note, Berliner Platz 1 Animation Lounge AMCRS
May 5, 2026
Our Creators @ FMX, ITFS and APD on Wednesday, May 6, 2026!
Day 2 of the STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK 2026! Discover when and where our CREATORS are participating at FMX, ITFS, and APD on Wednesday, May 6! And further highlights!
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-6/
9:00-12:15 APD, Landesmuseum Württemberg – Altes Schloss Co-Production and Financing Market, Tailored One-to-One Meetings “The Little Dormouse” (gretels gold) https://animationproductiondays.de/programme/market/
10:00 ITFS, Robert-Bosch-Saal (vhs Stuttgart) Kitaprogramm: Komm, ich helfe dir! “3 Kapitäne” by Julia Ocker, Thomas Meyer-Hermann (producer, Studio Film Bilder); “Lenas Hof: Volles Nest” by Elena Walf, Thomas Meyer-Hermann (producer, Studio Film Bilder); “Kito, Maja und die Kugelkiste – Vom PUMPHUT und der Windstille” by Eliza Plocieniak-Alvarez, Alumni Animationsinstitut / FABW https://itfs.de/en/show/kitaprogramm-komm-ich-helfe-dir-2/
10:00 FMX, Turm Aalen & VOD CrossDot / Umbraven – A Dark Fantasy Short / On the Road to Caen / Blue Tent / Hang In There School Presentations, presented by Alexandra Joshi, Animationsinstitut / FABW and Mark Szilagyi, FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35005
11:15 FMX, Turm Aalen & VOD DOPAMIN100 / The Tyrant / SCREWED / Vincent School Presentations, presented by Alexandra Joshi, Animationsinstitut / FABW and Mark Szilagyi, FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35006
18:15 FMX, Turm Aalen & VOD The future of immersive excellence, innovation, and collaboration in THE CYBERLÄND. Maximilian Schmierer, b.ReX, Panel “LÄND-made” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35036
19:00 ITFS, Staatsgalerie, Metzler Saal Open Stage Games BW, Keynote „Animation und Immersion in The Longing und Lucky Tower Ultimate“ Anselm Pyta, Studio Seufz, MFG https://itfs.de/en/show/open-stage-games-bw-2/
19:45 FMX, Metropol Cinema METROPOL CINEMA: Special Screening of Independence Day with Introduction by Roland Emmerich To attend the screening, pick up your ticket at the ticket counter on Level 0 starting on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:00! https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/36445
Our Creators @ FMX, ITFS and APD on Tuesday, May 5, 2026!
Let’s dive into STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK 2026! Animation, VFX and games fans, professionals, and students from around the world are coming together in Stuttgart to explore the latest trends, cutting-edge technologies, stunning projects, and the most exciting stories. With FMX – Film & Media Exchange (On Site: May 5-7, Online & On Campus: May 8, On Demand: May 9 – June 9), the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (May 5-10) and the Animation Production Days (May 5-7), there’s a lot to look forward to!
FMX, Photo: Dominique Brewing
Alongside numerous highlights, of course our CREATORS are on board as well! Let’s take a look at how they’re contributing during these inspiring days: the talks, presentations, and workshops they’re leading, where you can meet and chat with them in person, what they’ve curated – and which of their projects you can see on site or even try out for yourself. You can find more information via the links. We’re kicking things off on Tuesday, May 5, 2026!
9:00-12:15 APD, Landesmuseum Württemberg – Altes Schloss Co-Production and Financing Market, Tailored One-to-One Meetings gretels gold “The Little Dormouse” https://animationproductiondays.de/programme/market/
