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).
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?
Torben Meier, Studio Soi
Michael Hockey, Studio Soi
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.
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.
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
“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!“
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.
Next Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge on March 13 with Michael Scholz (halbautomaten)
Theater Rampe
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.
(c) Michael Scholz
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.
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
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.
The Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH is looking for a MANAGING DIRECTOR, starting on June 1, 2023.
Applicants should have demonstrable skills in the field of animated film and/or artistic and/or commercial management of an international festival. Team applications are welcome. The task of the new Managing Director(s) will be the innovative further development of the FMF and its events under changing artistic, technological, political and economic conditions. The key qualifications for management tasks are required.
