Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge – with Amelie Dillig
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). Speakers from the animation film scene present practical examples of current projects and provide insights into their work.
The next Animation Lounge will take place on Monday, March 9, 2026, 18:00 CET. Under the title “Creating the VFX Of THE PENGUIN,”Amelie Dillig, Producer at Accenture Song Content Germany, talks about what it takes to create the visual effects for an award-winning show like “The Penguin.” In her presentation, Amelie Dillig explains how the VFX are produced from start to finish. Together with her, you can explore menacing cityscapes and examine how they were designed to fully immerse the audience in the world of Gotham City.
Amelie Dillig studied Audiovisual Media at HdM in Stuttgart from 2011 until 2015. She then started her career as a VFX Coordinator at Pixomondo and worked her way up to VFX Producer over the years. After more than six years, Amelie left Pixomondo and joined Accenture as a VFX Producer in 2023. Her credits include “Stranger Things,” “The Penguin, Avatar – The Last Airbender,” “The Mandalorian,” “Game Of Thrones.”
The event will take place at the Kulturzentrum Merlin, Augustenstraße 72, 70178 Stuttgart. Admission is free.
All participants are cordially invited to attend the subsequent MFG Jour Fixe from 19:00 CET. The Jour Fixe offers a unique opportunity for exchange and networking with colleagues from the MFG Film Funding Unit.
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.
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
January 30, 2026
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
A Sparrow’s Song, Credits: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
The Visual Effects Society has announced the nominations for the 24th VES Awards. The prestigious annual celebration recognizes outstanding visual effects artistry and innovation worldwide and the VFX supervisors, VFX producers and hands-on artists who bring this work to life. Also in the running are the visual effects from projects by AMCRS members.
In the category OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A STUDENT PROJECT, “A Sparrow’s Song” has made it onto the list of nominees. The project was created by Tobias Eckerlin, Vincent Maurer, Elias Weber, and Lilli-Luisa Heckmann (and many more) as a diploma project at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut. The film has already won a Student Academy Award in Gold, is currently shortlisted for the 2026 Academy Awards, and was recently nominated for the 2026 Annie Awards.
RISE FX can celebrate a nomination in the category OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENT IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE for “The Lost Bus” – Feather River Canyon by the Pulga Bridge – (nominated team: David Schulz, Mareike Loges, Björn Markgraf, and Philipp Hafellner).
Congratulations to everyone involved! Fingers crossed for the VES Awards ceremony on February 25, 2026, at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
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)
October 17, 2025
TECHTALKS on November 3, 2025, at Das Gutbrod
The TechTalks Stuttgart present technical topics from the fields of visual effects (VFX) and animation for scientists, creative professionals, students and the interested public. After the keynote speeches, people can spontaneously take to the microphone on their own behalf. The next event will take place on November 3, 2025 at 18:00 CET at Das Gutbrod, Friedrichstr. 10, 70174 Stuttgart.
Admission is free! Please register in advance at contact@amcrs.de. Please note: The event is not hybrid, but will be recorded and available at YouTube afterwards.
Program Schedule:
“Node-basiertes 2.5D Rendering“ | Michael Weigl, Student Technical Directing at Animationsinstitut Michael Weigl presents a stylized rendering framework that was developed as part of a research project and several animation productions. The prototype of this framework was implemented as a node-based toolset within Blender’s “Geometry Nodes.” The goal is to enable new, complex visual styles – both graphic and painterly – in open-source software. The framework includes, among other things, lighting nodes, algorithms for vectorization, tracking functions, as well as a novel 2.5D layer management logic that allows abstract image operations directly within the rendering process. Together with the native functions of Blender’s “Grease Pencil” engine, this enables innovative workflows that combine 2D and 3D within a single context, thus making it possible to intuitively integrate painterly techniques into a 3D production.
“Hybrid Cloud Rendering“ | Holger Schönberger, Royal Render We will explore how the combination of local infrastructure and the flexibility of the cloud can change your rendering workflows. From accelerating production to scaling resources according to demand, hybrid cloud solutions offer the best of both worlds: efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness. Let us embark on this journey together and discover how you can overcome your creative challenges faster and more intelligently.
Film submissions for the 31st Filmschau Baden-Württemberg and the Jugendfilmpreis are open until August 31, 2025. Current feature films, short films, documentaries, animated films, commercials, series, and VFX projects with a connection to the state of Baden-Württemberg can be submitted to the Filmschau by this deadline via email to einreichung@filmbuerobw.de. Submission forms are available for download at www.filmschaubw.de. All criteria for participation in the Filmschau and in the competitions for the Baden-Württemberg Film Awards can be found in the registration form. For the first time, commercials and VFX projects are also eligible for submission by students.
The submission form for the Jugendfilmpreis can be downloaded from www.jugendfilmpreis.de. This form also provides information about the eligibility criteria for participation in the Jugendfilmpreis.
The 31st Filmschau Baden-Württemberg will take place from December 3 to 7, 2025, at the Innenstadtkinos in Stuttgart, showcasing the latest feature films, short films, documentaries, animated films, and commercials with a connection to Baden-Württemberg. All players in the film industry of the southwest region are welcome to take part. The Landesfilmschau is often referred to as the showcase of the southwest’s film and media scene. Integrated into the Filmschau is the independent Jugendfilmpreis, which gives young filmmakers from the southwest a chance to shine – with a big screen and a live audience. Nicknamed the “Jufi”, the youth section will begin on December 4, 2025, and will conclude with a major awards ceremony on December 7, 2025, at the Altes Schloss in Stuttgart, where the Baden-Württemberg Film Awards, the Baden-Württemberg Honorary Film Award, and the Jugendfilmpreis will be presented.
PIXOMONDO, Accenture Song VFX, and RISE FX are nominated for the prestigious EMMYs for their work on the series “The Penguin”, “Dune: Prophecy”, “House of the Dragon”, and “The Last of Us”!
Category “Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie“:
“Dune: Prophecy“ (HBO | Max) – Visual Effects Supervisor Accenture Song VFX Germany: Peter Lames
“House Of The Dragon“ (HBO | Max) – Visual Effects Supervisor PIXOMONDO: Sven Martin | Associate Visual Effects Supervisor PIXOMONDO: Fausto Tejeda
“The Last Of Us“ (HBO | Max) – Visual Effects Supervisor, RISE FX: Andreas Giesen
Category “Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Single Episode“:
“Sind wir FilmLänd?” – a Debate by the Stuttgarter Zeitung
The role of the film industry in Baden-Württemberg was the focus of the well-attended event “Sind wir FilmLänd?” – part of the “Mittendrin” series hosted by the Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten on April 28, 2025, at the SpardaWelt Eventcenter.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the industry? How must the region position itself to remain competitive on an international level? What role will artificial intelligence play in this context? These and many other questions were discussed by the panel participants.
The Deutsche Filmakademie (German Film Academy) announced the nominations for theDeutscher Filmpreis 2025(German Film Award 2025) a few days ago. Members of the AMCRS can also hope for a LOLA!
In the “Best Visual Effects” category, Max Riess, Sven Martin and Bernie Kimbacher and their team from PIXOMONDO have been nominated for “Woodwalkers” – Sven Martin is a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut. Additionally, LAVAlabs was involved in creating the VFX for the film, which has also been nominated as “Best Children’s Film.”
Also nominated in the category “Best Visual Effects” are teams from RISE. They can even celebrate nominations for two productions – Jan Stoltz, Franzisca Puppe, Sebastian Lauer and their team for their work on “Hagen – Im Tal der Nibelungen” as well as Robert Pinnow and his team for the effects in “Das Licht.” Jan Stoltz also studied at the Animationsinstitut.
On May 9, 2025, the Lola winners will be announced at the Theater am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for all the nominees!
