Naked Web – exhibition by Students of the Merz Akademie
“Baroque“ by Merz Akademie student Vanessa Schmidt
In the dawn of the World Wide Web – before the separation of content and style, before CSS, in the age of pure HTML – webmasters worked with only a handful of <tags> to shape their pages.
Creating layouts, visuals and functionality was a challenge, yet not impossible. With the humble < table >, the elegant < hr >, the interactive < input type=“radio” > and < input type=“checkbox” >, and of course the legendary clear.gif, every trick became an act of invention. Even border=“0” or border=“100” carried a message.
The works in this exhibition by students of the Merz Akademie, curated by Olia Lialina, are built from these same elements – to make them shine once more, and never be forgotten.
Exhibition “Naked Web“ (as part of the 39th Filmwinter Stuttgart): January 13 to 25, 2026 – More information Vernissage: Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 19:30 CET Workshop with Olia Lialina“Reclaiming Your Corner of the web“: Saturday, January 17, 2026, 11 to 16 CET– More information Get Together: Saturday, January 17, 2026, 16:30 CET
Annie Awards nominations for diploma projects from the Animationsinstitut!
Two diploma projects from the Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg have made it onto the nomination list for Best Student Film at the 53rd Annie Awards. Congratulations to everyone involved!
A SPARROW’S SONG Student Director / Student Producer: Tobias Eckerlin Lead Technical Director: Vincent Maurer, Lead Character Artist: Elias Weber, Lead Animation: Lilli-Luisa Heckmann, Lead Animation: Jiro Magracia, Lead Groom/Feathers Artist: Rebecca Liebelt – and many more!
A Sparrow’s Song, Credits: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
A SPARROW’S SONG team (l.t.r.): Rebecca Liebelt, Jiro Magracia, Tobias Eckerlin, Vincent Maurer, Lilli-Luisa Heckmann & Elias Weber
THE UNDYING PAIN OF EXISTENCE Student Director: Oscar Jacobson Student Producers: Franz Rügamer, Nadiia Yunatska and many more!
The Undying Pain of Existence, Credits: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
The Undying Pain of Existence, Oscar Jacobson at his Diploma Showroom, FABW
Both projects have already received numerous awards: “A Sparrow’s Song”, for example, has won the Student Academy Award in Gold, while “The Undying Pain of Existence” received an award at the Filmschau Baden-Württemberg. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the awards ceremony at the 53rd Annual Annie Awards on February 21, 2026! The ceremony can be streamed live here: https://annieawards.org/watch-it-live
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.
VES AWARD for Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg Production!
Press Release Animationsinstitut, Ludwigsburg, February 16, 2023
THE GHOUL PROJECT from A CALLING. FROM THE DESERT. TO THE SEA. Animationsinstitut, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
The production A CALLING. FROM THE DESERT. TO THE SEA by the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg wins the VES Award 2023 in the category “Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project“. Students of the Animationsinstitut created the visual effects (VFX) of the short film. Mario Bertsch (VFX Supervisor), Max Pollmann (VFX Producer), Lukas Löffler (Compositing Lead), and Till Sander-Titgemeyer (Creature Lead) accepted the award last night in Los Angeles on behalf of the entire team.
A CALLING. FROM THE DESERT. TO THE SEA tells the story of the sisters Ahlam and Yasmin, who defy the set boundaries and customs of their father. In order to reach a mystical sea, however, they first must face an enemy from within.
The visual effects team, which also includes Pascal Schober (Technical Director), Lukas Kapp (Rigging TD) and Lennard Fricke (VFX Producer), created the monster “The Ghoul” for the film. It took over two years to design the computer-animated creature, for which the team drew inspiration from the anatomy of humans, ostriches, caimans and dinosaurs. In addition, the students simulated the monster’s hair, spit and muscles.
The VFX team particularly praises the spirit within the project team: “Not only did we achieve our goal of seamlessly integrating a photorealistic creature into the film, but we are also incredibly happy to have worked with so many talented VFX artists. Of course, this holds true for the fantastic main production team around director Murad Abu Eisheh and producer Malin Krüger as well.”
Murad Abu Eisheh (Writer and Director), winner of the Student Academy Award in Gold, adds: “In this film, I wanted to create a mix of reality and fantasy that usually only exists in a child’s imagination. In doing so, I wanted to deal with my own experiences growing up in a society that tries to control your choices and free will from a young age.“
The excitement at the Filmakademie in Ludwigsburg is obviously enormous. Professor Juri Stanossek, senior lecturer for Visual Effects at the Animationsinstitut, emphasizes: “The VES Award is highly deserved. Congratulations to a great team that stands out for its excellent synergy, diligence, and talent.“
The VES Awards are considered the most important award in the VFX sector after the Oscars.
With the triumph of A CALLING. FROM THE DESERT. TO THE SEA, a total of ten productions with the direct involvement of the Animationsinstitut have now won a VES Award. The Animationsinstitut and the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg congratulate the entire team on this great success.
