July 14, 2024

23. NaturVision Filmfestival, July 18-21, 2024

The N aturVision Film Festival Ludwigsburg aims to provide effective impetus for the transformation of our society – from July 18 to 21, 2024, with current nature and environmental films on the big screen, in the cinema and with free admission to the open air. The next generation is particularly important to the NaturVision team. A wide range of films and hands-on activities are aimed at families, children and schools. In addition to environmental education, the main aim is to awaken enthusiasm for nature and show even the youngest children what and how they themselves can contribute to environmental protection.

A recurring theme of the 23rd edition is activism and its many forms. How is it lived? How can it succeed? And where does it reach its limits? This is shown in the differentiated portraits of young climate activists such as the documentaries System Change – A Story of Growing Resistance, Was brennt or Bis hierhin und wie weiter. On the other hand, NaturVision promotes young talent behind the camera with the award for Best Newcomer Film and the presentation of the films on the big screen. The creative potential of tomorrow’s filmmakers is enormous. This is proven by the focus on New Filmmakers with top-class contributions from film students from all over the world, including the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield.

But even beyond the big screen, becoming active is the central theme and the main concern of the festival. Festival director Beatrix Wesle emphasizes: “It was very important to us to encourage more optimism in climate protection with NaturVision – with inspiration instead of frustration, action instead of passivity.” This hands-on approach is reflected in formats such as the „Anders Wirtschaften“ ideas exchange in cooperation with environmental and sustainability start-ups from the region and the “Market of Perspectives” with stands from relevant companies and initiatives, both open air in the Akademiehof.

Our CREATORS from the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH and the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) are also on board – FMF as co-organizer and ITFS as a partner. On Friday, July 19, at 15.00 CET, in the TRICKSTAR NATURE AWARD program, a selection of outstanding animated short films from the ITFS dealing with nature, animals and the environment will be screened at the open air.

More about NaturVisi on | Program & Tickets

Source: Press Release NaturVision

February 18, 2024

Get your tickets for FMX and ITFS!

In a few weeks, Stuttgart will once again become a hotspot for the animation and VFX industry and for animation fans worldwide when the FMX – Film & Media Exchange conference, the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film and the Animation Production Days open the doors to their visitors.

The FMX will take place from April 23 to 26, 2024 on site at Haus der Wirtschaft. Numerous presentations will subsequently be available online on demand from April 27 to May 31. The ITFS will take place in Stuttgart from April 23 to 28, 2024 at various locations and on Stuttgart’s Schlossplatz. The co-production market Animation Production Days will be organized as a cooperation between FMX and ITFS from April 23 to 25, 2024.

From now on, FMX Conference, Day and Online Passes as well as ITFS Festival and Professional Passesare are available in their ticket shops. Worthwhile for visiting both events is a Combi Pass which is available in both the FMX and ITFS ticket shops (until March 15 at the Early Bird rate).

Ticket shop FMX | W ebsite FMX

Ticket shop ITF S | Website ITFS

Registration A PD | Website APD

December 3, 2023

Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge: Animating Pumuckl

Together with the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (organizer of Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film) and the AMCRS, MFG organizes the Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge as a prelude to the monthly network meeting of the film industry (Jour Fixe), at which speakers from the animation film scene report on current projects using practical examples and provide insights into their work.

“Revealing the invisible: Animating Pumuckl“ will be the topic on December 11, 2023 at 18:00 CET.

The Pumuckl series brought the radio play character of the goblin to television for the first time in the 1980s. The magic of the series was created in particular by the interplay between the actor Gustl Bayrhammer and the wild, lovable cartoon character of Pumuckl. This adaptation of Ellis Kaut’s books is still very much present in reruns and in the nostalgic memories of the current generation of parents and grandparents. For the new edition of the series by director Marcus H. Rosenmüller, Ludwigsburg-based Studio Soi was commissioned to provide the new animations for the title character. With such a new edition, the question arises as to what should be changed in a contemporary realization. How close do the animators stay to the original? What technology and look could the new Pumuckl use to inspire children again?

Michael Hockey, Animation Supervisor, and Torben Meier, co-founder of Studio Soi, will give an insight into these decisions and the working methods of the animation studio. The presentation will be held in English.

The event will take place at the Kulturzentrum Merlin, Augustenstraße 72, 70178 Stuttgart. Admission is free.

More informatio n

December 1, 2023

Annegret Richter new Artistic Director of Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH!

Annegret Richter, Photo: Martin Jehnichen

Press Release, November 30, 2023

Complete Press Release and CV Annegret Richter

In June of this year, Heike Mozer took over the commercial management, and now the artistic position of the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (FMF) has also been filled: Annegret Richter, an experienced curator and festival organiser who has known and accompanied the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) for years, is taking over.

Heike Mozer and Annegret Richter would like to lead the ITFS into the future and to re-establish it as an annual highlight in the festival calendar for the German and international animated film industry. “We complement each other in different areas and have a very similar view of things when it comes to fundamental issues. It is important to us to create places for encounters, as well as to connect filmmakers, the industry, and the audience. With Annegret, I now have a creative partner by my side,” emphasises Heike Mozer. Together, the managing directors want to further develop the ITFS and intensify the synergies with FMX and the APDs.

“It is a great opportunity and honour for me to work with Heike Mozer and the FMF team to develop the festival for the future,” says the experienced curator Annegret Richter, whose expertise is also highly valued at the ITFS. Her many years of networking in industry and networking projects make her an experienced, interested and passionate advocate for animated film. In her new role, she wants to work to strengthen animation: “Animation tells the important stories and issues of our time. In my opinion, animation for adults does not yet receive enough visibility. That’s why I think the festival also has a task for society as a whole to bring audiences into contact with the films and the filmmakers. Especially people who perhaps didn’t even know that animated film was relevant to them.“

Annegret Richter worked as festival director at the short film festival “Filmfest Dresden”, was head of the animated film section at DOK Leipzig and has been managing director of AG Animationsfilm since 2016. She also regularly curates film programmes and has been a member of festival juries and selection committees. She is also familiar with current developments and discourses through teaching assignments and her work as a lecturer.

August 25, 2023

Jobs at Film und Medienfestival gGmbH

The Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (FMF), based in Stuttgart, organizes the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) and – together with the FMX – Film & Media Exchange – the Animation Production Days (APDs). The three events take place annually at the end of April/beginning of May in Stuttgart. Their common task is the sustainable development and long-term strengthening of the creative region of Stuttgart and the media location of Baden – Württemberg.

Check out their open positions (all m/f/d):

Artistic Managing Director (Künstlerische Leitung mit Geschäftsführungsfunktion) – Job Description (German)

Head of Communication (Leitung Kommunikation) – Job Description (German)

Employee Program Organization (Mitarbeiter*in Programmorganisation) – Job Description (German)

Apply now!

All open positions at FMF

June 8, 2023

Head of Organization (m/f/d) wanted for Film und Medienfestival gGmbH!

The Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (FMF) – organizer of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) and Raumwelten as well as co-organizer of the Animation Production Days (APDs) – is looking for a Head of Organization (m/f/d) (parental leave replacement (initially for 2 years) in full-time (40 hours per week)) from September 1, 2023!

Tasks include :
Overall control of the organization of the ITFS, taking into account different venues and program points (cinema, open air, tricks for kids, supporting programs, etc.)
Control of service providers, staff and cooperation partners
Budget responsibility and personnel management
Control of the conception and realization of graphic and print products
Coordination of evening events/galas such as opening ceremonies and award ceremonies

Click here for the job description (German)! (PDF)

June 3, 2023

Heike Mozer is the new Managing Director of FMF!

Press release, Stuttgart, May 31, 2023

Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (FMF), which primarily organises the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS), has staff news: Heike Mozer will take over the commercial management as of 1 June 2023. She succeeds Uwe Schmitz-Gielsdorf, who has been managing FMF on an interim basis since October 2022.

“In Heike Mozer, we have found a competent managing director for Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH who, thanks to her expertise and many years of experience, is perfectly familiar with the animation and culture scenes in the region. I am certain that she will fill the motto ‘We are the heart of animation, where public and creators meet’ with life and thus further strengthen the ITFS in the future,” says Dr. Walter Rogg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH and Managing Director of Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH (WRS).

Heike Mozer has a degree in administration and has been working at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg since 1991, where she took over the commercial management of Animationsinstitut in 2002. At the same time, she contributed to the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film in the field of event management from 1991 to 1998 and was project manager of FMX – Film & Media Exchange between 2015 and 2020. She is thus experienced in the realisation of large-scale events and very well-connected in the regional, national, and international animation scenes.

“To welcome the world of animated film in all its facets and to create personal encounters between audiences and artists – that is what I am looking forward to. With the competent team at my side, I am also looking forward to further develop the ITFS and guide it into the future,” says Mozer.

Jan Pinkava, new head of the Animationsinstitut at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg as of 1 June 2023: “I am very happy for Heike Mozer and the entire Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH. This is not only great news for the FMF, but also a good basis for stronger cooperation between ITFS, FMX and of course Animationsinstitut, as together we want to further cultivate and expand the culture of animation in the region. The Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH could not be in better hands and I look forward to working with Heike Mozer in the months and years to come. The heart of animation is beating strong in Stuttgart and Ludwigsburg!“

Complete Press release

March 19, 2023

NaturVision Filmfestival is looking for a new Festival Director (m/f/d)!

NaturVision, Germany’s first nature film festival and today one of the most outstanding festivals for nature, wildlife, environmental protection and sustainability in Europe, is looking for a new Festival Director (m/f/d)! The position offers great scope for creativity, many creative opportunities, and the chance to participate in transformation processes that are crucial for our society. The place of work is Ludwigsburg, the next and 22. NaturVision Film Festival will take place from July 20 to 23, 2023.

They are looking for a personality with, among other things:

Courage, ideas and entrepreneurial initiative to constructively shape and further develop an internationally established festival whose diverse activities now extend far beyond a mere film festival
Ideally, professional experience in the event sector, a relevant academic education and profound knowledge in the fields of media, nature, sustainability and environment
Management and leadership experience as a managing director or in a comparable function with corresponding organizational and budgetary responsibility.

Curious? Here you can find out more about the position and the application (in German): https://natur-vision.de/de/ueber-uns/jobs/festival-leitung/

February 25, 2023

Next Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge on March 13 with Michael Scholz (halbautomaten)

On March 13, 2023 at 18:00 CET, Michael Scholz (Founder/ Creative Director of halbautomaten) will talk about „KINETARIUM – MULTIPLAYER-PLANETARIUM“

Kinetarium is a platform for interactive full-dome games that can be played by hundreds of players simultaneously. Each player can directly intervene in the dome projection with his/her smartphone. Playing the games is not only fun, but also offers the opportunity to experience scientific topics in a new way. The players can decide whether they want to play as a team, in competition, in alliances or in chaos. Each game plays out differently.

More about Kinetarium: https://www.kinetarium.space/en/home

The event will take place at Theater Rampe, Filderstraße 47, 70180 Stuttgart, and is free of charge.

The Jour Fixe offers a unique opportunity for exchange and networking with the MFG Unit Film Funding team. All participants are cordially invited to join the subsequent Jour Fixe starting at 19:00 CET.

February 7, 2023

Call for Applications Crazy Horse Session – 48h Animation Jam at ITFS 2023

The 30th Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS, April 25-30, 2023) is calling all filmmakers to apply to the online live animation competition Crazy Horse Session – 48h Animation Jam! Deadline for applications is March 1, 2023, and the Crazy Horse Session will be held in cooperation with our HEROES from M.A.R.K.13.

Applications are open to teams of two who are either animation students from international film and art schools or freelance animators and animation producers, and also not older than 30 years. Within 48 hours, up to six teams will develop a short animated film (30 seconds to a maximum of 2 minutes) around the ITFS mascot Trixi during the festival. The competition will take place online between Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 12 noon and Friday, April 28, 2023 at 12 noon.

A jury selected by the festival management will choose the winning film. The winning team will be appointed to the ITFS 2024 48h Jam jury and will receive an invitation to next year’s festival.

Application Form & Regulations

Winner film ITFS 2022