‘Is AI intelligent?’ is the question posed by internationally renowned AI researcher Bernhard Schölkopf in his keynote at the first edition of the Innovationslabor Zukunft (Innovation Lab Future). From May 28 to June 1, 2025, Schauspiel Stuttgart will transform the Kammertheater into a theatrical AI laboratory with 30 events.
Can an AI direct a play? Can AI help us overcome death? How does a human move in the metaverse? Human and machine – who is programming whom? Is AI emotional? With the help of experts such as Ranga Yogeshwar, Oscar winner Jan Pinkava (head of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut), theatrical performance projects (by Wilke Weermann, Florian Etti, Alessa Bollack, and Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart), workshops by La Fura dels Baus, and performances by Rimini Protokoll, the festival explores complex questions about the future of artificial intelligence and society.
With the Innovationslabor Zukunft, Schauspiel Stuttgart creates a space for exciting encounters, diverse presentations, discussion formats, and keynotes featuring experts from science, business, the arts, and philosophy. Encounters with a humanoid robot, Kenza Ait Si Abbou, Ars Electronica Director Veronica Liebl, ZKM Director Alistair Hudson, film producer Nico Hofmann, Prof. Dr. Judith Simon (member of the Deutscher Ethikrat), Minister Petra Olschowski, producer and pianist Roberto Di Gioia, and many more. SWR Kultur will produce four live broadcasts/podcasts – including from the Kammertheater.
AI becomes tangible and experiential: AI live on stage, AI-driven live music production, AI in film, and actors performing live in the Metaverse.
In cooperation with SWR Kultur, Hochschule der Medien, Media Solution Center Baden-Württemberg, HLRS, ZKM Karlsruhe, EIT Culture and Creativity, ICE Innovation by Creative Economy, Akademie für Darstellende Kunst Baden-Württemberg
Two Animationsinstitut projects on the 2025 BAFTA Student Awards longlist!
A few days ago, the longlist for the 2025 BAFTA Student Awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) was announced – and two student projects from the Animationsinstitut at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg made it in: “A Sparrow’s Song” (Director: Tobias Eckerlin, more information) and “kaulquappe (polliwog)” (Director: Julia Skala, more information).
The finalists will be revealed at the end of May – fingers crossed!
A Sparrow’s Song – Filmakademie Baden-WürttembergKaulquappe – Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
Trailer Polliwog
Show Reel Animationsinstitut 2025
May 12, 2025
Jobs at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut
The Animationsinstitut is part of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and one of the world’s leading training institutions for Animation, Visual Effects, Technical Directing, Animation/Effects Producing and Interactive Media.
They currently have the following job vacancies:
Coordinator Artificial Intelligence (m/f/d) as of July 1, 2025 or as soon as possible. Full-time (39.5 hours/week), limited to 2 years.
Tasks:
Consulting and strategic development of teaching and organization
Central point of contact for students, teachers and staff for all AI topics
Collaboration with research projects of the R&D Department and our Animationsinstitut especially in the area of fair and sustainable AI use
Building and maintaining networks with regional and international AI partners
Support in selecting, implementing and prioritizing AI projects
Assistant to the Head of Institute (m/f/d), full-time (39.5 h), for a period of two years.
Tasks:
Facilitating communication between the Head of Institute, commercial management and teaching, as well as the lecturers and students of the Animationsinstitut
General secretarial and assistant tasks, correspondence, telephone and reception
Translation DE-EN and EN-DE
Travel and meeting coordination for the Head of the Institute
Coordination, preparation and follow-up of meetings and presentations in German and English
Travel bookings and other organizational activities for the Head of the Institute, staff and students
14:30 FMX, Bertha-Benz-Saal & VOD The Rise of African Animation, VFX and Content Development – How Cultural Differences are fueling Industry Growth Panel “Managing Change” curated by Imke Fehrmann, RISE | Visual Effects Studios https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2025/list?t=1810
18:15 FMX, Bertha-Benz-Saal & VOD Story Telling for War Children: Extremist and counter-Extremist Narratives Panel “Managing Change” curated by Imke Fehrmann, RISE | Visual Effects Studios https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2025/list?t=1810
18:15 FMX, Turm Aalen & VOD School Presentations: Flamin‘ Hot / Beyond Boundaries / The Goo / Lonely / Cyclus / FATIMA Mariana Mendes dos Santos, Alex Ferstl, Merz Akademie (Panel “School Presentations” presented by Alexandra Joshi, Animationsinstitut / FABW, Mark Szilagyi, FABW) https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2025/detail/event/31835
18:00 ITFS, White Noise, Eberhardtstr. 35 Exhibition: It’s Just a Whole Exhibition by Animationsinstitut / FABW graduate Bianca Scali / Winner ITFS 2024 “Student Competition“ https://itfs.de/en/show/exhibition-its-just-a-whole-4
21:30 Die Note, Berliner Platz 1 Animation Lounge by AMCRS
May 5, 2025
Our Creators @ FMX, ITFS and APD on Tuesday, May 6, 2025!
Let’s dive into STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK 2025! 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 (May 6-9, 2025), the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (May 6-11, 2025) and the Animation Production Days (May 6-8, 2025), there’s a lot to look forward to!
And of course, our CREATORS are part of it, too! 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. We’re kicking things off on Tuesday, May 6, 2025!
FMX
9:00-12:15 APD, Landesmuseum Württemberg – Altes Schloss, Schillerplatz 6 Co-Production and Financing Market (pre-arranged one-to-one meetings) 3 CAPTAINS (Studio FILM BILDER), 48ers (The M.A.R.K.13™ – Group), A Trip with a Drip (gretels gold) https://animationproductiondays.de/projects-2025/
10:00 FMX, Turm Aalen Founding and funding an indie game studio Iris Harr, MFG, Dominik Schön, Kaleidoscube (Panel “LÄND-made” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW) https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2025/detail/event/33034
10:00 FMX, Turm Aalen Creativity and Artificial Intelligence – How to Use Cutting Edge Technology in Creative Projects Panel “LÄND-made” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2025/list?t=1891
14:00 APD, Festival Centre, Haus der Katholischen Kirche, Eugen-Bolz-Saal Conference Part 1 / Panel Discussion “Crisis, Change, Resilience: Filmmaking in Times of Transformation” Curator and Host: Lilian Klages https://animationproductiondays.de/programme/conference-2025/
17:00 FMX Turm Aalen & VOD An Examination of Grey Characters: How to Write Them and What to Learn from Them Panel “Fresh Visions” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2025/list?t=1829
18:00 ITFS, White Noise, Eberhardtstr. 35 Exhibition: It’s Just a Whole Exhibition by Animationsinstitut / FABW graduate Bianca Scali / Winner ITFS 2024 “Student Competition“ https://itfs.de/en/show/exhibition-its-just-a-whole-2/
19:00 FMX, in front of Haus der Wirtschaft Get-Together sponsored by Houdini
May 3, 2025
Diploma Showroom 2025
The team of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationinsinsitut cordially invites you to its Diploma Showroom 2025 on Thursday, May 8, 15:00 to 19:00 CET at the Animationsinstitut. You’ll have the chance to meet the graduates behind the the newest creations, learn first-hand how they were made, watch films and trailers on the big screen and play-test the interactive experiences. Look forward to ten individually designed project rooms offering exclusive glimpses behind the scenes.
Diploma Showroom 2025, Animationsinstitut / FABW, Illustration: Daniel Almagor
Location: Animationsinstitut, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Akademiehof 10, 71638 Ludwigsburg
For visitors of Stuttgart Animated Week (ITFS, May 6-11, 2025 / FMX, May 6-9, 2025 / APD, May 6-8, 2025) they will offer guided tours by public transportation (14:15 CET Meeting points FMX: Speakers Counter / APD: Farewell Lunch / ITFS: Welcome Desk).
May 2, 2025
“Sind wir FilmLänd?” – a Debate by the Stuttgarter Zeitung
The role of the film industry in Baden-Württemberg was the focus of the well-attended event “Sind wir FilmLänd?” – part of the “Mittendrin” series hosted by the Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten on April 28, 2025, at the SpardaWelt Eventcenter.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the industry? How must the region position itself to remain competitive on an international level? What role will artificial intelligence play in this context? These and many other questions were discussed by the panel participants.
In the upcoming edition of its “Mittendrin” event series, the Stuttgarter Zeitung turns the spotlight on Baden-Württemberg’s film industry. Titled “Sind wir „FilmLänd“?”(“Are we ‘FilmLänd’?”), the event will take place on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 19:00 CET at the SpardaWelt Eventcenter (Am Hauptbahnhof 3, Stuttgart) – just one week ahead of the Stuttgart Animated Week (ITFS, May 6-11, 2025 / FMX, May 6-9, 2025 / APD, May 6-8, 2025).
Jobs at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut
The Animationsinstitut is part of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and one of the world’s leading training institutions for Animation, Visual Effects, Technical Directing, Animation/Effects Producing and Interactive Media.
They currently have the following job vacancies:
Assistance Study Coordinator (m/f/d) Your role:
Help organize and manage lectures and events
Assist in implementing teaching and production projects
Handle correspondence, mailing lists, and maintain educational databases
Be a key point of contact for students regarding organizational matters
The Night of Shame is the curated film show that celebrates filmmakers’ worst! From charmingly incompetent to all out shameful – established directors from all over the world excavate their questionable films and submit them to the fascinated gaze of a live audience.
