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
DOKVILLE, the industry gathering hosted by the Haus des Dokumentarfilms, will take place this year on June 18 and 19 at Hospitalhof Stuttgart. The central theme of DOKVILLE 2026 is: DEMOKRATIE UNTER DRUCK – IST UNSERE ZIVILGESELLSCHAFT AM ENDE?(DEMOCRACY UNDER PRESSURE – IS OUR CIVIL SOCIETY COMING TO AN END?) Through keynotes, panels, and case studies, DOKVILLE will examine the growing threats facing democracy today. Those unable to attend in person can follow the event via livestream.
Civil societies around the world are increasingly under pressure. One consequence is a growing loss of trust in democratic institutions, a development that can now be observed in many countries. This erosion is being accelerated by aggressive populism spread through digital platforms, aimed at systematically destabilizing democratic norms. Strategically deployed disinformation and algorithm-driven manipulation of information undermine the credibility of reliable media and democratic discourse.
What responses can, and must, institutions committed to democracy find in the face of this radical questioning of our social order? How can our society continue to safeguard the rule of law and fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of the press? These questions will be discussed at DOKVILLE 2026 by renowned filmmakers, journalists, and experts from politics and academia.
Among the speakers providing key impulses on the topic are former German President Prof. Dr. Joachim Gauck as opening speaker, journalist and human rights activist Düzen Tekkal, Katharina Willinger, head of the ARD studios in Istanbul and Tehran, director Stephan Lamby, media executive Nathalie Wappler (Chair of the Medienrat), and Paul Ronzheimer of BILD.
For the third time, the industry event will also include the MFG-funded pitch format “Speed Dating,” giving directors the opportunity to present new projects and project ideas to commissioning editors from attending broadcasters.
The first award winners of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS)2026 can be announced: In a joint awards ceremony – the AniX Awards – the German Animation Screenplay Award and the Trickstar Business Award were presented on the evening of May 7, 2026 at the Festival Centre in the Haus der Katholischen Kirche.
The Award for the Best German Screenplay for an Animated Feature Film in the amount of € 2,500 sponsored by the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS), goes to EMMI & EINSCHWEIN – EINHORN KANN JEDER! (EMMI & UNIPIG – ANYONE CAN BE A UNICORN!) by Anna Böhm (Producer: Stephan Wagner, Production: Carte blanche Media)
From the jury statement: The jury honours a screenplay whose powerful storytelling demonstrates just how vibrant, witty, and at the same time moving contemporary animated films for the whole family can be. “Emmi & Unipig – Anyone can be a Unicorn!” creates a world brimming with imagination without relying on mere cuteness. Instead, the story uses its wealth of magical creatures to explore very real emotions: shame, exclusion, the longing for belonging—and the courage to accept oneself, even when that doesn’t fit with the shiny expectations of others.
The Special Mention goes to PETRONELLA APFELMUS – DER FILM (PETRONELLA APPLEWITCH)by Claudio Winter and Seraina Nyikos (Producer: Dirk Beinhold, Valentin Greulich, Production: Akkord Film Produktion, Co-Producer:SERU Animation, funded by MFG)
Stefanie Larson, Sophia Bierend, Solveig Langeland, Silke Wilfinger, Stephan Wagner, Matthias Drescher and Jørn Precht (left to right), photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
Stefanie Larson, Seraina Nyikos, Claudio Winter and Sebastian Runschke (SERU) (left to right), photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
The Award for the German Screenplay with the Biggest International Market Potential in the amount of € 2,500, sponsored by SOLA MEDIA – and the winner is DREAMERS – THE HUNT FOR SHADOWCLAW by Jörg Ihle, Dominik Hochwald, Christopher Jenkins, Robert Moreland, and Alison James (Producers: Ulrich Schwarz, Ivy Stein, Production: parapictures filmproductions).
From the jury statement: DREAMERS is a wonderfully humorous, action-packed, and heartwarming screenplay featuring charmingly anthropomorphized animals who embrace their disabilities and use them as special, valuable abilities. This is done in an effortless, exciting, and highly entertaining way for all ages. Important messages such as tolerance, friendship, and inclusion are conveyed playfully. Because in the end, we are all Dreamers—a little bit normal, a little bit quirky, and each one special. The jury of this year’s screenplay award sees all the ingredients and potential for a successful international release in this emotional story.
The Special Mention goes to TRÜFFEL by Sonja Knyssok.
The jury consisted of Matthias Drescher, Sophia Bierend, Solveig Langeland, Jørn Precht and Silke Wilfinger.
Stefanie Larson, Solveig Langeland, Ulrich Schwarz, Jørn Precht, Ivy Stein, Silke Wilfinger, Sophia Bierend, Matthias Drescher and Robert Moreland (left to right), photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
Sonja Knyssok, photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
The Trickstar Business Award, the award for the Best Innovative and Groundbreaking Business Model for a Project or a Company in the Field of Animation in the amount of € 7,500 sponsored by Verband Region Stuttgart, goes to Atomedge(CEO: Guy van der Walt).
Feature on Thomas Meyer-Hermann and Studio FILM BILDER
Thomas Meyer-Hermann, (c) MFG Baden-Württemberg, Studio FILM BILDER
As part of its campaign THE CREATIVE LÄND, MFG Kreativ presents HIER GEMACHT, a series highlighting hidden champions of Baden-Württemberg’s cultural and creative industries. These are companies and individuals rooted in the region yet in demand worldwide – with ideas that surprise, connect, and inspire.
In the latest edition, they spoke with Thomas Meyer-Hermann, founder of the Stuttgart-based animation studio FILM BILDER. He discusses how Baden-Württemberg developed into a hub for animation, the current challenges facing the industry, and the company’s plans for the future.
Our CREATORS at Studio Seufz released their game “Lucky Tower Ultimate” (publisher AMC)! After five years of development, a successful Early Access phase came to an end on April 16, with over 1,600 positive reviews on Steam.
“Lucky Tower Ultimate” (genre: Roguelite, available on PC, Apple, Linux, and Nintendo Switch) takes players on an adventure with the narcissistic knight Von Wanst as he finds himself zapped into the perplexing Tower with no armor, weapons, or clear path to escape. The original Lucky Tower games were a two-part flash game series, first released in 2010, and the sequel released in 2012. “Lucky Tower Ultimate” is the first premium title in the cult classic series and beckons seasoned fans and new players alike to experience the unique pleasure of getting all geared up… just to slip on a banana peel and die.
“Lucky Tower Ultimate” has already picked up several awards, including “Best Game Mechanic” at GermanDevDays 2025, “Best Quirky & Funny Game” from the Indie Arena at Gamescom 2023, and an Honorable Mention at AMAZE 2024. The game was supported by MFG Baden-Württemberg / Games BW, the Creative Europe Programme – MEDIA, and the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
Congratulations to Benedikt Hummel (Game Design & Animation), Anselm Pyta (Game Design & Art), Stefan Michel (Executive Producer), as well as to everyone else involved (among them many Animationsinstitutalumni)!
Pre-Berlinale Panel Discussion – Animation & VFX in Baden-Württemberg
Invitation to the Pre-Berlinale panel discussion on Animation & VFX in Baden-Württemberg, taking place on Wednesday, February11, 2026 on the eve of this year’s Berlinale (February 12 to 22, 2026), at the Vertretung des Landes Baden-Württemberg beim Bund
Over the past years, Baden-Württemberg has developed into one of Europe’s leading hubs for animation and visual effects. International successes, renowned studios, and excellent training and educational institutions have turned the region into a hotspot of creative innovation.
Under the theme “Zurück in die Zukunft: Wohin steuert Deutschlands führender Animations- und VFX-Standort?” (“Back to the Future: Where Is Germany’s Leading Animation and VFX Hub Heading?”), the discussion will focus on key questions shaping the future of the industry: How can Baden-Württemberg maintain its leading position? What conditions are needed to foster an innovative, resilient, and internationally competitive sector? And what role do politics, education, networks, and funding structures play in this context?
On the eve of the Berlinale, these questions will be addressed by the panel guests Arne Braun, State Secretary at the Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst des Landes Baden-Württemberg, Carl Bergengruen, Managing Dirctor of the Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg (MFG), Stefanie Larson, Manager of the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS), Gerd Nefzer, special effects artist and multiple Academy Award winner, and Wiebke Wiesner, Deputy Managing Director of the Produktionsallianz.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Andreas Bareiß, Director of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg.
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 18:00 to 21:30 CET Venue: Vertretung des Landes Baden-Württemberg beim Bund, Tiergartenstraße 15 in 10785 Berlin Organized byAnimation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS) and FMX – Film & Media Exchange
Global Game Jam goes THE LÄND 2026 – From January 26 to February 1, 2026, it’s time to design, code, and create amazing things once again: the Global Game Jam, the world’s largest game event, is coming to THE LÄND! Game studios, companies, universities, associations, and (cultural) institutions in Baden-Württemberg are organizing their own “sites” – locations where local game jams take place – often in collaboration with other stakeholders from their region. GGJ goes THE LÄND is coordinated by MFG Baden-Württemberg & Games BW and funded by the Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg, in partnership with game – Verband der deutschen Games-Branche e.V. Baden-Württemberg. The goal: to strengthen cooperation and expertise in game development, game design, and game art – regionally, interdisciplinarily, and across university and company boundaries.
The Kokolores Creative Collective e.V., in cooperation with the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and the Wirtschaftsförderung Ludwigsburg, is also taking part. GGJ goes THE LÄND: Kokolores Ludwigsburg will take place from Monday, January 26 to Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Filmgalerie of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Akademiehof 10, 71638 Ludwigsburg. There are still free spots available. Registration and further information can be found here.
Poster GGJ goes THE LÄND – Kokolores Ludwigsburg
Further sites of GGJ goes THE LÄND (including Heilbronn, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, and the Lake Constance region) can be found here: https://hola.mfg.de/
In addition, GGJ26 @ Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart will take place at the Stuttgart City Library with Chasing Carrots from Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 1, 2026. Further information and registration can be found here.
December 21, 2025
Last Call Funding Program CO.VISION
Image: Co.Vision, MFG Baden-Württemberg
The new cross-innovation program CO.VISION by MFG Baden-Württemberg – funded by the Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Tourismus – brings together the cultural and creative industries, start-ups, and small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) from all sectors. Its aim is to build cross-sector alliances that demonstrate how innovation thrives through collaboration. Because the future emerges where diverse perspectives meet – where design and creativity intersect with engineering, where coding and game design connect with health, urban development, and mobility, or where artists collaborate with SMEs.
Until January 11, 2026, companies and associations from the creative industries and the wider economy can submit their project ideas. The program is seeking cross-innovative projects that present new solutions for innovative value chains and social resilience in Baden-Württemberg. Up to nine pilot projects will be funded, each receiving up to €20,000 (covering a maximum of 50% of total project costs). However, CO.VISION offers far more than just financial support: an accompanying support program featuring workshops, networking formats, and a final showcase event increases the visibility of the projects – and empowers participants to become multipliers of a new culture of innovation.
Submitted projects should be aligned with five future-oriented fields that the state of Baden-Württemberg has defined as key areas of action for tomorrow’s value creation:
Mobility & Transport: Creative approaches to sustainable mobility, logistics, and industrial transformation
People & Society: Digital creativity for education, participation, and resilience
Materials & Resources: Smart materials, circular economy, and sustainable production
Mechanical Engineering & Robotics: Human-centered innovations and new interfaces between industry and design
Cyber, Services & Security: Creative solutions for digital security, trust, and democracy
Eligible to apply are cultural and creative professionals, start-ups, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized companies from all sectors that implement their pilot projects in partnership. These partnerships may already be in place but can also be further developed and strengthened over the course of the program. Key requirements include an interdisciplinary approach, a clearly identifiable creative contribution, and a strong willingness to innovate and collaborate. The lead applicants must be based in Baden-Württemberg.
The winners of the Baden-Württemberg Film Awards2025 were announced last week. The awards of the 31. Filmschau Baden-Württemberg were presented during a festive ceremony at the Kulturlounge Dürnitz in the Altes Schloss in Stuttgart. AMCRS members were also honored.
All winners Filmschau BW 2025 (Photo: Filmschau BW)
Award Ceremony Filmschau BW 2025 (Photo: MFG)
Oscar Jacobson, a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut, was awarded the Baden-Württemberg Film Award in the Animation Film category for “Undying Pain of Existence.”
Statement Jury Animation Film(Nina Prange (Creative Producer), Regina Welker (Animation Director), and Sveta Yuferova (Animation Director)): “The films nominated this year demonstrate a remarkable diversity of visual signatures, techniques, and narrative approaches. Alongside student works, there are independent productions whose production conditions could hardly be more different. The winning film impresses with its visual language, through which the direction translates self-control and the subsequent loss of control into powerful images.”
The Baden-Württemberg Film Award in the VFX Studioscategory goes to artists Peter Lames(a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut), Apollonia Hartmann, and David Anastacio of Accenture Song Content Germanyin Stuttgart for “Dune – Prophecy” by Anna Foerster. The team had received Line Producer funding from the MFG.
Statement Jury VFX Studios (Jan Adamczyk (Professor at Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart), Johanna Manz (VFX Producer), and Julia Smola (VFX Producer / HoP BigHugFX)): “What stood out to us about “Dune”, in addition to the first-class quality of the visual effects, was above all the immense complexity, the elaborate development of the look, and the precise design. The visual effects integrate seamlessly into the demanding, iconic look of the “Dune” universe and enhance its visual power in an impressive way. For us, one thing is clear: something truly unique and extraordinary has been created here. The complex asset posed an enormous challenge -and it was mastered in a remarkable manner. We warmly congratulate Accenture Song on this outstanding project and on the well-deserved award.”
For “Habt ihr den gesehen” by Anton Kleinert, the artists David Schubert, Lia Bauer, and Katrin Wohnhas (all from Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart) received the Baden-Württemberg Film Award in the VFX Studentscategory.
Statement Jury VFX Students (Heiko Burkardsmaier (VFX Executive Producer, Head of Business + Legal Affairs, Accenture Song VFX), Johanna Manz (VFX Producer), and Julia Smola (VFX Producer / HoP BigHugFX)): “This project demonstrates in an outstanding way that the use of visual effects has been truly understood. The effects support the story being told in a subtle and effective manner without drawing attention to themselves, and they blend seamlessly into the scenery. In terms of quality, the VFX work is executed so excellently that even experienced professionals would hardly have noticed in some places what had been added without the breakdown – and that is exactly how it should be. At the same time, it is clear that the effort was not reduced to a minimum, but realized with great commitment and genuine passion. The attention to detail and the many creative ideas make the image come alive, atmospheric, and visually engaging.”
The Undying Pain of Existence (Credits: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)
Habt ihr den gesehen (Credits: Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart)
December 16, 2025
The Creators Pitch Lab on January 21, 2026
Are you working on an idea for a game, an animated series, or an animated short film? Are you convinced of its potential and wondering when the right people will finally listen? Do you live in Baden-Württemberg?
Then the Creators Pitch Lab is your chance! On January 21, 2026, you can present your idea to experienced industry professionals, gain valuable insights from their expertise, and receive honest feedback to help you develop your vision and move it forward professionally. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to make valuable connections within the industry.
Secure your slot for the pitch now – we can’t wait to hear your idea!
Register by January 16, 2026 via contact@amcrs.de (time slots will be assigned).
Venue: MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft BW, Breitscheidstr. 4, 70174 Stuttgart
