After a two-year DIVERSITY AUDIT, FABW's diversity strategy is awarded the “Vielfalt gestalten” (Shaping Diversity) certificate by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft (Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany) in Berlin. This certificate recognizes the Filmakademie's measures to promote diversity and equal opportunities - in studies and teaching, but also in the entire organizational development.
At the end of April, Prof. Thomas Schadt steps down as managing director of FABW after 20 years. PROFESSOR DR. ANDREAS BAREISS takes over as the new artistic and managing director. A trained lawyer, he is a graduate of the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris, has been lecturing at the Filmakademie since 2017, and brings a wealth of experience in international film production. He worked for Gaumont Germany since 2018, initially as head of the legal department and, since 2020, as a member of the executive board, head of the Berlin office, and producer.
The feature film IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN (Sound of Falling) wins the Jury Prize at the FESTIVAL DE CANNES. The screenplay was developed by director Mascha Schilinski while she was still studying in Ludwigsburg, together with Louise Peter. Four other FABW alumni were significantly involved in the making of the film in the fields of cinematography, production design, and sound. It is the first award for a German film in Cannes in one of the most important prize categories in over 40 years—and the first ever for a German female director.
IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN is also competing as the GERMAN ENTRY in the “Best International Feature Film” category at the 98th OSCARS CEREMONY.
Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg is the first German film school to sign up to the RESPECT CODE FILM, which aims to ensure a professional working environment characterised by mutual respect for all those working in film and television productions, whether as freelancers or employees. At the same time, FABW is also joining the THEMIS TRUST CENTRE.
FABW and the AI START-UP COLIBRI, founded by Jonas Trottnow, announce their official partnership. The aim of the collaboration is the practical further development of Colibri – a modular, AI-powered software platform for the local analysis and linking of media content without the cloud. It promotes technological sovereignty, creative freedom and sustainable alternatives in the use of artificial intelligence – particularly for stakeholders in the media, research and cultural sectors.
The diploma short film A SPARROW’S SONG, produced at FABW´s Animationsinstitut, wins a STUDENT ACADEMY AWARD IN GOLD. This is already the eighth ‘Student Oscar’ for the Ludwigsburg-based film school.
FABW is establishing an ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STAFF UNIT, thereby taking a leading role in the use of AI. Among other things, the AI Officer will develop an ethical framework for the use of AI, including licensed models and alternatives to Big Tech.
Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and the POLISH NATIONAL FILM, TELEVISION AND THEATRE SCHOOL (PWSFTviT) in Łódź are signing a STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECT AGREEMENT in Warsaw. The aim of the cooperation is to intensify collaboration in education, research and practice in the field of film and media, and to strategically expand cross-border networking between Germany and Central and Eastern Europe.
BETA FILM and FABW enter into a STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP to develop innovative approaches in film and TV production. The aim of the framework agreement with the distribution and production group is to establish and expand practical, Europe-wide and ethically responsible research, development and training in the field of AI AND VIRTUAL PRODUCTION.
At the GERMAN SHORT FILM AWARDS in Hamburg, two FABW productions – AT HOME I FEEL LIKE LEAVING (“Fiction film with a running time of more than 15 to 30 minutes”) and DETLEV (“Animated film with a running time of up to 30 minutes”) – were each awarded a Golden Lola by Wolfram Weimer, Minister of State for Culture and Media.
Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg is expanding its study programme in the Production course with a new specialisation: CREATIVE SERIES PRODUCING. The programme is part of the strategic partnership between FABW and Beta Film and combines training in core creative skills in the field of storytelling with data- and AI-driven development and production methods. It is aimed at both FABW students and qualified career changers in the field of producing.