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Calls for Entries ITFS – German Animation Screenplay Award and Animated Games Award Germany

The 32nd Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) will take place from May 6 to 11, 2025. It focuses on artistic animated films and the promotion of young talent. In addition to the short and feature film competitions (submission deadlines: short film competitions – November 15, 2024; feature film competition – January 15, 2024), additional categories are now open for submissions: the German Animation Screenplay Award, the Animated Games Award Germany, and the Work in Progress section.

The German Animation Screenplay Award recognises outstanding screenplays for feature-length animated films. The goal of the competition is to honor the central role of professional screenwriters in the creation of outstanding films and to encourage the development of exceptional stories for animated films.

The Award for the Best Screenplay for a Feature-Length Animated Film comes with €2,500, sponsored by the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS).

The Award for the Screenplay with the Greatest International Market Potential is endowed with €2,500, sponsored by our CREATORS from SOLA MEDIA.

For the best screenplay award submissions are possible in German and English, for the market potential award submissions are only possible in English. Submission Deadline: February 1, 2025 | Regulations | Submit here

Winner German Animation Screenplay Award for a Feature-Length Animated Film at ITFS 2024: Das Neinhorn, Photo: Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart, Reiner Pfisterer
Winner Animated Games Award Germany at ITFS 2024: Closer the Distance, Photo: Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart, Reiner Pfisterer

The Animated Games Award Germany is endowed with €5,000 and is sponsored by MFG Baden-Württemberg. It targets developers of high-quality video games who have their primary or secondary residence in Germany.

Eligible for submission are completed games for commercially available platforms that were released after January 1, 2024. The top five games will be nominated for the GameZone and showcased to the public during the event.
Submission Deadline: February 1, 2025 | Regulations | Submit here

The Work in Progress section provides a platform for animation projects in the concept, development, or production stages. Producers and directors have the opportunity to present their current projects in film, TV, web, games, and immersive media to an international professional audience.

Each presentation lasts approximately 20 minutes and includes initial visual insights, trailers, and a follow-up Q&A session. The audience gains exclusive behind-the-scenes access and can connect directly with the creative teams behind the projects. Submission Deadline: February 15, 2025 | Submit here

Next AMCRS IP Presentation Forum on October 24, 2024! Register now!

You’ve got a great idea for an IP (intellectual property)? You are developing a new game or interactive format? You are in the middle of preparing your new animated short film or animated series? You are a resident of Baden-Württemberg? That’s perfect!

The IP Presentation Forum will take place for the ninth time on October 24, 2024. Come by and take the opportunity to present your project to professionals from the industry and to exchange ideas and get advice for the next steps!

Register until October 18, 2024 via: contact@amcrs.de (A timeslot will be assigned.)

Download flyer (PDF)

Location: MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg mbH
Breitscheidstr. 4
70174 Stuttgart

Organized by the AMCRS

Open Stage Games BW in Karlsruhe

Open Stage Games BW (Image: MFG)

Whether independent developer studios or large publishers, recent graduates or recruiters looking for graphic designers – the diverse players in the games industry have the opportunity to exchange ideas at Open Stage Games BW. The open stage character also gives everyone the opportunity to bring their concerns to the stage. New games can also be tried out at test stations.

The next Open Stage Games BW will take place on September 25, 2024 from 19:00 to 22:00 CET in Karlsruhe (Alte Hackerei, Alter Schlachthof 11a, 76131 Karlsruhe).

Part of the program is the keynote speech „Die neue Bundesförderung für Games: Was hat sich geändert, was muss ich beachten?“ by Dr. Matteo Riatti (DLR). After the talk, the stage will be open to everyone as usual.
Afterwards, you can network over drinks and snacks.

Participation is free of charge. Registration is required here by September 24.

Organizers of the event are MFG Baden-Württemberg, CyberForum, K³ Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaftsbüro Karlsruhe, game Baden-Württemberg, Film Commission Region Stuttgart and Netzwerk Kreativwirtschaft BW.

Source: MFG Baden-Württemberg

Games BW at Gamescom 2024

THE LÄND joint stand at Gamescom 2023 (Photo: Tobias Vollmer)

MFG has been organizing a joint Baden-Württemberg stand in the business area of Gamescom in Cologne since 2013. The exhibiting games companies have the opportunity to present their latest developments to trade visitors and make contacts with the international games scene. In 2024, the theme of the event will once again be “THE LÄND – Games made in Baden-Württemberg“.

This year, eight companies will present themselves at THE LÄND joint stand. Our CREATORS from b.ReX, Stuttgart, UP Designstudio, Stuttgart and Zeitland media & games from Ludwigsburg will be part of the stand, too. Zeitland will be presenting their latest strategy game Camp Chaos, which can also be tried out.

Other exhibitors include GameBoot, kr3m. media, LFK, StickyStoneStudio and TinyRoomStudio.

The THE LÄND joint stand can be visited from August 21 to 23 in the Business Area (Hall 4.1, Stand C64). Come by!

Gamescom 2023: Visit by Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor of Germany, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Photo: Tobias Vollmer)
Gamescom 2023 with our CREATORS from Pixelcloud (Photo: Tobias Vollmer)

The state stand is organized by MFG Baden-Württemberg in cooperation with Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i), supported by  K³ Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaftsbüro Karlsruhe and funded by the Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Tourismus Baden-Württemberg.

More about the Gamescom Business Area

Source: games-bw.mfg.de

German Computer Game Award 2024 for THE BEAR!

The Bear, Mucks! Games, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

The interactive bedtime story THE BEAR – A STORY FROM THE WORLD OF GRA has won the German Computer Game Award (DCP) in the category “Best Graphic Design”. THE BEAR is the debut work of Clara Deitmar, Julius Dorsel and Luzie Kehle – all former students of the Animationsinstitut at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. The team accepted the award yesterday evening in Munich.

THE BEAR is an interactive experience for tablets. Two friends, the bear and the little one, embark on a journey through a dreamy universe where they collect stars and experience stories together. THE BEAR is about rediscovering the intimate and emotional state just before falling asleep.

Winning the DCP feels like a dream for the team: “It was absolutely amazing to be part of the DCP this year! The nominations alone meant so much to us – winning is just phenomenal. We couldn’t have wished for a better start for our newly founded studio.”

The German Computer Game Award is the most important prize for games in Germany and is endowed with around 800,000€. It is awarded by the Federal Government, represented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, together with game – Association of the German Games Industry and the Digital Games Culture Foundation.

For Jan Pinkava, Director of the Animationsinstitut, the triumph at the DCP is a strong signal for Ludwigsburg as a games location: “To put it simply: The Filmakademie is in Ludwigsburg, and Ludwigsburg is a growing centre for the creative arts. Our Interactive Media teaching is about content – what the artwork does and what it means – with a special emphasis on storytelling. That is why our talented students produce meaningful work, like THE BEAR. At the Animationsinstitut we are proud of our extraordinary students and their contribution to the region.“

THE BEAR is part of the WORLD OF GRA story world, a universe initiated by the creators at the Animationsinstitut. A very special milestone here was that the team created the visuals and trailers for Stuttgart Animated Week 2024 (consisting of: FMX – Film and Media Exchange, Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film and Animation Production Days).

While still studying Interactive Media, Deitmar, Dorsel and Kehle founded the studio Mucks! Games, under whose name they recently published THE BEAR. The game is available for iOS systems.

Find out more about WORLD OF GRA and THE BEAR here.

Source: Press Release, Animationsinstitut / FABW

Congratulations to the team!!!

Learn more about the World of Gra and meet its creators at FMX and ITFS!

Mucks! Games at DCP 2024, Photo by Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images for Marchsreiter Communications

Diploma Showroom 2024 at Animationsinstitut!

Animationsinstitut Diploma Showroom 2024

You would like to get to know the diploma projects 2024 of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut and their makers? Visit the Diploma Showroom on Thursday, April 25, 2024 between 14:00 and 20:30 CET on the campus of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Akademiehof 10 in Ludwigsburg!

Here you can watch all the graduation films and trailers, try out the games and talk to the graduates!

–> Further information and registration

–> LinkedIn Event

Find out more about last year’s Diploma Showroom!

Talent Meet-Up BW 2024

Are you at the beginning of your own start-up, currently immersed in developing a new game, or still studying – perhaps “something with media”? Do you come more from an (academic) background but wish to connect with others from the animation, film, and games industries because you value cross-industry exchange? Do you welcome inspiration from a wide range of media sectors, enjoy meeting new people, and aren’t afraid of technological innovation?

Then the TALENT Meet-up BW 2024 is the right thing for you! Apply now for one of the 20 spots in this free, exclusive program with a unique networking opportunity.

Immerse yourself in the Stuttgart Animated Week together with other young professionals and visit the FMX – Film & Media Exchange (April 23-26, 2024), the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (April 23-28, 2024) and the APD Conference (April 23, 2024) of the Animation Production Days with a free Combi Ticket. You will be supported in networking, you will receive individual program tips and the framework for the best possible exchange – with each other and in the international industry. Last but not least, you will get to know regional support services and contacts so that nothing stands in the way of your professional future in THE LÄND.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2024

This way to more information and the application form!

Initiated and organized by: MFG Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation, Film Commission Region Stuttgart, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Animationsinstitut, AMCRS

Gamescom 2024: Exhibitors wanted for the THE LÄND joint stand

THE LÄND joint stand 2023, photo: Tobias Vollmer

Games companies and institutions from Baden-Württemberg will once again have the opportunity to present themselves to the public at Gamescom in Cologne from August 21 to 23, 2024. This year,  MFG Baden-Württemberg is once again organizing THE LÄND joint stand in the business area of the world’s largest trade fair for computer and video games. Interested companies can now apply to exhibit at the stand.

At the trade fair, participants present themselves to the trade audience and make contacts in the international games scene. Co-exhibitors at THE LÄND joint stand benefit from discounted participation conditions, a comprehensive service package and joint communication activities.

All information about the Gamescom appearance can be found on the website. Places for co-exhibitors are limited. An application is necessary. This is uncomplicated and possible until April 1, 2024 via an online form.

The stand is organized by MFG Baden-Württemberg in cooperation with Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i), supported by K³ Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaftsbüro Karlsruhe and funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism.

Source and further information: MFG Baden-Württemberg

In 2023, our HEROES from Pixelcloud were part of the stand, and in 2022 Zeitland Media & Games.

Open Stage Kreativ BW @ BRYCKE

Image: MFG Baden-Württemberg

The Open Stage Kreativ BW is Baden-Württemberg’s networking platform for cultural and creative professionals from the various creative industries. On February 7, 2024, 17:00-19:00 CET, the event series takes place in the Pop-up-Space BRYCKE in Stuttgart (Schmale Straße 9-13, 70173 Stuttgart). Two projects funded under the “KMU-Transfer KREATIV“ program (a funding program of Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Tourismus Baden-Württemberg) are presented.

Cross innovation with the games and animation media industry:

The fields of games, animation and virtual reality are becoming increasingly important and offer great potential for companies from various sectors. The aim of “KMU-Transfer KREATIV” is to promote cross-industry collaboration with creative companies and to demonstrate the added value of cooperation and the use of new technologies.

Together with Ulrich Lang, the developer of niche fragrances from Backnang, the creative company acameo from Tübingen is implementing virtual distribution and presentation options by modeling virtual spaces and animating product-specific fragrances.

With Xbrick, wd3 GmbH has developed a universally applicable seating cube. Now, together with the creative agency halbautomaten Kommunikationsdesign GmbH – one of the AMCRS HEROES – an AR app is to be developed that will add an additional level to the playful and animated learning with Xbrick as a digital extension. Both companies are based in Stuttgart.

Speakers:

  • Simone Braun, halbautomaten Kommunikationsdesign, Stuttgart
  • Anna Katharina Brinkschulte, Reviewer KMU-Transfer KREATIV, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Ludwigsburg
  • Dr. Frank Dürr, acameo Gruppe für digitale Kommunikation, Tübingen
  • Ulrich Lang, ULRICH LANG NEW YORK, Backnang
  • Helen Scholz, wd3_spatial design, Stuttgart

Participation is free of charge. Registration is requested by February 6, 2024. Further information and registration

The Open Stage Kreativ BW is organized by the MFG Baden-Württemberg in cooperation with the Wirtschaftsförderung der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart and the Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Tourismus Baden-Württemberg.

THE LÄND Global Game Jam BW

Image: Ingo Jürgens/MFG

At the Global Game Jam (GGJ), creatives and game enthusiasts around the world develop computer games on a given theme in 48 hours. With THE LÄND Global Game Jam BW, MFG Baden-Württemberg is organizing the largest central event for the southwest in Karlsruhe with 20 partners and supporters. From January 26 to 28, 2024, game enthusiasts can attend and participate. The Game Jam takes place at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design.

The GGJ encourages people from different backgrounds to contribute to the worldwide spread of game development and creativity. Games students meet games studios, development enthusiasts meet experienced and professional coders. But other disciplines such as sound, design, communication and psychology also find their place in the GGJ. Thanks to the cooperation with twelve different educational institutions in Baden-Württemberg, very different games enthusiasts come together and get creative together in a playful way.

Registration is required, places are limited.

The state-wide site is organized by MFG Baden-Württemberg in cooperation with the GameLab Karlsruhe of the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design. THE LÄND Global Game Jam is supported by 20 partners, including local partners, universities and games studios from Baden-Württemberg. The Game Jam is funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg as part of HOLA.

Source and further information: MFG Baden-Württemberg

Global Game Jam 2024 | What is the Global Game Jam?