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Berlinale Warm-Up

On February 11, 2026, the Vertretung des Landes Baden-Württemberg beim Bund – represented by the host at the Landesvertretung and State Secretary Rudi Hoogvliet – in cooperation with the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS) and FMX – Film & Media Exchange, invited to the Berlinale Warm-Up.

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, addressed – moderated by Dr. Andreas Bareiß, Director of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg – the question of “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 focus was on the investment package of the Bundesregierung, which strengthens the German film industry with €250 million annually, as well as the new Film Funding Act (FFG), which combines public funding with investment obligations for streaming services. The panelists largely agreed that reducing bureaucracy is a key factor in remaining internationally competitive.

Read more:

The Spot: „The Länd setzt aufs Land“, February 12, 2026: https://the-spot-mediafilm.com/news/kinonews/the-laend-setzt-aufs-land

Staatsministerium Baden-Württemberg, February 11, 2026: https://stm.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/service/media/mid/berlinale-warm-up-zurueck-in-die-zukunft-wohin-steuert-deutschlands-fuehrender-animations-und-vfx-standort

(c) Landesvertretung Baden-Württemberg
Andreas Bareiss, Wiebke Wiesner, Gerd Nefzer, Arne Braun, Stefanie Larson, Carl Bergengruen, (c) Landesvertretung Baden-Württemberg
Andreas Bareiss, Arne Braun, Stefanie Larson, (c) Landesvertretung Baden-Württemberg
Wiebke Wiesner, Gerd Nefzer, Carl Bergengruen, (c) Landesvertretung Baden-Württemberg
Recur by Kaleidoscube, (c) Landesvertretung Baden-Württemberg
(c) Landesvertretung Baden-Württemberg

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, February 11, 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 by Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS) and FMX – Film & Media Exchange

Further information and registration

https://stm.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/vertretung-beim-bund/veranstaltungen-und-gaestehaus/veranstaltungskalender

Please note that seating is limited.

Wiebke Wiesner New Managing Director of MFG starting in July 2026

The 49-year-old has signed her contract as Managing Director of MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg mbH. She will succeed Carl Bergengruen on July 1, 2026, who has led MFG for 13 years and is retiring. Wiebke Wiesner’s contract is initially set for five years.

Wiebke Wiesner with State Secretary Arne Braun at the signing of the contract. © Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg

State Secretary Arne Braun (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst BW) said:
“I am delighted that with Wiebke Wiesner we have gained an exceptionally qualified expert for an important future-oriented field in the state. Film funding is an essential part of Baden-Württemberg’s cultural and creative industries. Wiebke Wiesner combines a passion for film with extensive experience. She understands how the industry networks and how film funding works. Wiebke Wiesner brings people together. Her expertise and dynamism convinced the supervisory board. With her, Baden-Württemberg gains a Managing Director who will lead our film and media sector into the future with energy and strategy.”

Clemens Bratzler, Program Director Information at SWR, said:
“Appointing Wiebke Wiesner as Managing Director of MFG underscores our commitment to ensuring that Baden-Württemberg remains relevant and innovative in media, film, and the creative industries. Ms. Wiesner has everything needed to build on the successful era of Carl Bergengruen despite challenging conditions, while also setting new priorities for the future.”

Wiebke Wiesner added:
“I look forward with great enthusiasm and respect to the tasks ahead and to the wide-ranging spectrum of MFG, from film, VFX, and games funding to supporting the entire regional cultural and creative industries.” As Managing Director, she said she is stepping into commendable footsteps: “Carl Bergengruen has shaped MFG over many years with vision and tireless commitment. He deserves the highest recognition and thanks. The current challenges for Baden-Württemberg’s film and media sector, as well as for the entire German film industry, are immense.” Her passion and expertise in film funding have been long-standing. “I am very much looking forward to continuing proven initiatives with the MFG team while developing and implementing sustainable new ideas for the future.”

Wiebke Wiesner has served as Legal Counsel and Deputy Managing Director of the Produktionsallianz since February 2023 and took over as interim Managing Director of the nationwide industry association in May 2025. Previously, she worked at institutions for film funding at both the state and federal level, including the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the Filmförderungsanstalt des Bundes (FFA). She is a deputy member of the FFA Board of Directors, chair of the Guidelines Committee, and represents film producers on the Green Filming Advisory Board and the Green Shooting Working Group. She advised the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg on establishing games funding and support for digital productions and negotiated Germany’s first AI collective agreement for the Produktionsallianz.

Sources (translated with the help of AI): Press Release Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst BW | MFG Baden-Württemberg

Panel Discussion: Gaming@Museum

© MFG Baden-Württemberg

Games and other playful formats create connections – and open up new opportunities for museums in terms of education and participation. With the panel discussion “Gaming@Museum – neue Spielräume für Co-Creation?” on November 12, 2025, 18:00 CET, MFG Baden-Württemberg is highlighting the potential of games for culture as part of the Level Up! Gamification im Museum program. The focus lies on the question of how museums can become more open and co-creative spaces.

Actors from museums, academia, cultural policy, media education, and the games and creative industries will discuss playful formats for culture as well as the opportunities and challenges of cooperation. Taking part in the discussion are:

  • State Secretary Arne Braun (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst BW)
  • Kevin Körner (Lecturer Digital Humanities, Universität Tübingen)
  • Jonas Kirchner (Managing Director Pixelcloud)
  • Laura Schuppli (Curator of Digital Media at the Stadtmuseum Aarau & Co-Founder Spielekultur GmbH)
  • Dejan Simonović (Media Education Officer ComputerSpielSchule Stuttgart)

Moderation: Tina Lorenz (Head of Hertzlab, ZKM Karlsruhe) 

Afterwards, MFG invites attendees to a reception for networking and exchange. Previously, starting at 16:00 CET, visitors can explore and try out different video game genres and consoles – guided by puzzle designer and game author Annekatrin Baumann.

Venue: Literaturhaus Stuttgart, 1. OG
Breitscheidstraße 4
70174 Stuttgart

Registration until November 11, 2025

Source and more information

The Spot: Recap of the Ludwigsburger Mediendialoge

On October 21, 2025, the opening event of the Ludwigsburger Mediendialoge took place on the campus of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. Leading representatives from politics, business, and culture came together to discuss the future of the media landscape in southwest Germany – Arne Braun, State Secretary, Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg, Dr. Patrick Rapp, State Secretary, Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Tourismus Baden-Württemberg, Carl Bergengruen, Managing Director, Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg (MFG), Stefanie Larson, Director Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS), Clemens Bratzler, Program Director Information SWR, and Lisa Purtscher, producer at LiseLotte Film and graduate of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW). The panel discussion was moderated by Andreas Bareiß, Director of the Filmakademie. The event was held in cooperation with the industry magazine The Spot.

„Klare Worte statt leerer Versprechen“(“Clear words instead of empty promises”) – that was the conclusion drawn by The Spot’s editor-in-chief Marc Mensch in his article published on October 22, 2025.

Read the full article here.

Screenshot The Spot, 22. Okt. 2025

Save the Date: Ludwigsburger Mediendialoge

At the kickoff of the Ludwigsburger Mediendialoge (Ludwigsburg Media Dialogues) on October 21, 2025, leading representatives from politics, business, and culture will discuss the future of the media industry in Southwest Germany.

Confirmed participants include:

  • Arne Braun, State Secretary, Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg
  • Dr. Patrick Rapp, State Secretary, Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Tourismus Baden-Württemberg
  • Carl Bergengruen, Managing Director, Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg (MFG)
  • Stefanie Larson, Manager, Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS)
  • Clemens Bratzler, Program Director Information, SWR
  • Lisa Purtscher or Lotta Schmelzer, Producer (LiseLotte Film), graduates of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW)

Location: Campus of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg | Date & Time: October 21, 2025, 18.00 CET
Registration required – limited seats available!
Official invitations will be sent out at the end of September.

For questions, please contact Fenja Schnizer or Andreas Friedrich via presse@filmakademie.de.

Open Stage Games BW, September 24, 2025

Whether independent developer studios or large publishers, recent graduates or recruiters looking for artists and 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.

The next Open Stage Games BW will take place on September 24, 2025 from 19:00 to 22:00 CET in Karlsruhe (Alte Hackerei, Alter Schlachthof 11a, 76131 Karlsruhe).

Part of the program is an impulse talk from the games industry: Dominik Schön, kaleidoscube GmbH, will share his experiences with the Indie Arena Booth and the Business Area at Gamescom 2025.

Dominik Schön at Gamescom
(all photos: THE LÄND @ Gamescom 2025 (c) Tobias Vollmer)
State Secretary Dr. Patrick Rapp and MFG Managing Director Carl Bergengruen at the Kaleidoscube booth in the Indie Area
The Kaleidoscube team at the THE LÄND joint booth

After the talk, the stage will – as always – be open to everyone. Do you have a topic, or would you like to present yourself, your team, or your project? Feel free to decide spontaneously during the event and simply sign up on site.

During the networking session that follows, you can connect over drinks and snacks, showcase your games, and exchange ideas.

Target group: Cultural and creative professionals, founders, freelancers, and small business owners from the games sector as well as the wider cultural and creative industries.

Participation is free of charge. Registration is required by September 23. More information and registration here

The Open Stage Games BW is jointly organized by MFG Baden-Württemberg, game Baden-Württemberg, CyberForum, the K³ Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaftsbüro Karlsruhe, and the Film Commission Region Stuttgart, and is funded by the Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg

Games BW: https://games-bw.mfg.de/

Source: MFG Baden-Württemberg

GAMESTATE Festival BW 2025

Photo: MFG

The GAMESTATE Festival BW on July 11, 2025 brings together professional developers, students, and career changers from Baden-Württemberg to strengthen statewide exchange within the games industry and explore future development opportunities. A diverse program of talks and roundtables, concluding with a party, offers numerous opportunities for in-depth exchange and networking.

The event is free of charge. Registration is required by July 4.

You can find the full program at www.gamestate-bw.de

Event details: July 11, 2025, 13:00-23:00 CET | Kulturwerk, Ostendstraße 106A, 70188 Stuttgart

The GAMESTATE Festival 2025 is organized by MFG Baden-Württemberg, game Baden-Württemberg, CyberForum and K³ Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaftsbüro der Stadt Karlsruhe, and is funded by the Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst.

Source: MFG Baden-Württemberg

Event Series “Mittendrin” – Sind wir „FilmLänd“?

ITFS, Photo: Reiner Pfisterer

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).

Moderator Nikolai B. Forstbauer, a journalist with the Stuttgarter Zeitung, will discuss the topic with Annegret Richter, Artistic Director of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, Andreas Bareiss, incoming Director of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg as of May 1; Simone Baumann, Managing Director of the film industry network  German Films in Munich; Jochen Laube, an award-winning film producer (Sommerhaus Filmproduktion GmbH & Sommerhaus Serien GmbH) and lecturer based in Ludwigsburg; and Arne Braun, State Secretary at the Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst des Landes Baden-Württemberg (Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg).

The event is free of charge. All information and the required registration can be found at https://zeitung-erleben.de/event/mittendrin-sind-wir-filmlaend/

Interview Stuttgarter Zeitung with State Secretary Arne Braun

Interview Stuttgarter Zeitung with film producer Jochen Laube