ADK and FABW Jointly Open the 2025/26 Academic Year

On Monday (22 September), major topics were discussed at the Ludwigsburg campus: profound societal change, the role of art, film and media, and the responsibility of creators for what they produce. Sidonie Dumas, CEO of Gaumont, contributed her European perspective as the guest of honour.

The auditorium of Akademie für Darstellende Kunst Baden-Württemberg (ADK) was filled to capacity for the semester opening. Among the many attendees from both ADK and Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW), around 130 were first-year students.

“Our creative industry, but also the world as a whole, of which we are an inseparable part, is undergoing profound change,” said Dr Andreas Bareiss in his inaugural speech as Director of FABW, a position he assumed in early May. He highlighted the many global challenges of our current times, particularly increasing threats to democracy and freedom.

The media industry is also facing fundamental changes, partly because of artificial intelligence, Bareiss continued. He encouraged students to approach these changes positively, collaboratively, responsibly, and with a clear stance: “I wish for a campus where creative passion and joy on the one hand, and responsibility for the community on the other, are not mutually exclusive. Where open-mindedness is allowed, enabling genuine encounters and real cooperation. Where failure is not seen as a flaw but as a necessary part of personal and artistic development.”

Earlier, Ludger Engels, Artistic Director and Managing Director of ADK, reflected in his welcome speech on the freedom and creative space offered by the arts, as experienced and practised on the Academy campus: “Use it, defend it if necessary. You are free to express your thoughts, to open your soul, and to give them both a language.”

Arne Braun, State Secretary for the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg (MWK), opened his speech with a quote from the classic film Lawrence of Arabia: “Big things have small beginnings.” Addressing the students, he continued: “Your ideas and projects hold the potential for great artistic achievements.” As an example, State Secretary Braun cited the screenplay for the internationally acclaimed film SOUND OF FALLING (IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN) by Mascha Schilinski and Louise Peter, created at FABW.

The screenplay refrains from explanatory text, allowing space for associations and insights conveyed through the power of images. Braun also emphasised the medium of film as a central topic for the future of Baden-Württemberg – both culturally and economically – and stated: “The Film Academy plays a key role here, and the MWK stands by it as a reliable partner.”

Dr Jan Pinkava, Director of the Animationsinstitut and Oscar winner, shared experiences from the film and media sector with the first-year students, offering them advice: “You will succeed if you serve your talents. You will succeed if you celebrate the success of others.”

The guest of honour, a grand dame of French cinema and one of the most influential figures in the international film and media industry, was Sidonie Dumas, CEO of Gaumont since 2004, the world’s oldest continuously operating film studio.

She shared experiences from her professional life in her speech and in a subsequent Q&A with Andreas Bareiss. Reflecting on European film and media production in a changing global market, she said: “European collaboration is no longer optional; it is essential! We must remain true to ourselves. With European stories, we have the chance not only to lead in artistic quality but also in ethical, sustainable, and inclusive storytelling.” She encouraged the young creatives in the audience: “Believe in the power of stories – may your stories change the world!”

Her key advice for students? “Two words,” said Sidonie Dumas: “Passion and determination!”

Sidonie Dumas has brought numerous internationally award-winning films and series to life, including films such as THE INTOUCHABLES and SCIENCE OF SLEEP, as well as series like NARCOS, HANNIBAL, and LUPIN. In 2024, she was honoured with the prestigious International Emmy® Directorate Award.

She was accompanied by Sabine de Mardt, who has headed Gaumont’s German branch in Cologne since 2018. The multiple award-winning producer has overseen series such as BARBARIANS (Netflix), DIE WESPE (Sky), THE INTERPRETER OF SILENCE (Disney), RESET – WIE WEIT WILLST DU GEHEN? (ZDF), and PARALLEL ME (Paramount+) .

Another highlight of the day was the screening of the feature drama SOUND OF FALLING, spanning four historical periods, which involved many FABW alumni alongside director Mascha Schilinski. The film was awarded the Jury Prize in Cannes and is now Germany’s submission for the Oscar® for Best International Feature Film. This was followed by a discussion with team members Cosima Vellenzer (production designer, FABW alumna) and Luzia Oppermann (actress, ADK alumna).

Over the following four days, ADK and FABW will offer a first-year workshop, once again conducted by the action art collective Radikale Töchter. Under the shadow of global attacks on democracy, this year’s workshop focuses on the theme of being lucky.

Radikale Töchter is known for its impactful and extraordinary approaches to political participation and workshops on political action art, artistic activism, aesthetics, and their effects. With an emphasis on preserving the core values of our democratic society and addressing the ecological challenges of our time. The workshop’s outcomes will be presented internally on Friday.