1,000 Business Meetings at APD 2025
Stuttgart – The 19th edition of the Animation Production Days (APD) concluded yesterday after an intensive three-day programme. A total of 178 industry guests from 23 countries participated in the event in order to present new animation projects, explore collaboration opportunities and exchange ideas on current trends in the sector. APD is Germany’s most significant business platform for the animation industry. It is organised as a joint venture of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) and FMX – Film & Media Exchange and takes place annually as part of the Stuttgart Animated Week.
Co-Production and Financing Market
From 6–8 May, over 1,000 pre-scheduled business meetings took place in the Landesmuseum Württemberg. 50 animation projects from 17 different countries were selected for the market where producers and creatives met with representatives from studios, broadcasters, streaming services, world sales agencies, funding institutions and other investors to receive feedback on the market potential of their ideas and explore collaboration opportunities. Industry guests included key players such as ZDF, KiKA, WDR, SWR, MDR, NDR, Super RTL, ARTE, BBC, RTS, RAI, Canal+, TV3 and YLE, as well as major international corporations such as Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery.
This year’s country-in-focus was Switzerland, which was represented by four projects and ten participants at APD, as well as a comprehensive film and connected programme at the ITFS.
Conference and Supporting Programme
Another highlight was the APD Conference on the afternoon of 6 May at the ITFS Festival Centre, which attracted around 180 attendees. The event focused on current perspectives and challenges facing the industry:
- The first panel, “Crisis, Change, Resilience: Filmmaking in Times of Transition”, examined the current upheavals in the animation sector and demonstrated how studios and distributors can adapt strategically.
- The second panel, “Catering to the Growing Animation Appetite of (Young) Adults”, presented creative content for young adults and showcased the diversity and innovative power of modern animation.
The APD programme also included a round-table discussion on the topic “From Local to International: Letko’s Evolution with ODO” (in cooperation with the Polish Young Horizons Industry event), a Talent Speed Pitch for the eight projects selected as part of the APD Talent Programme and numerous networking events.
As part of the collaboration with CARTOON, the European Association of Animation, two German producers will once again have the opportunity to pitch the project they presented at APD at the CARTOON Forum in Toulouse in September. The winners are:
- “3 Captains”, a TV series by Studio FILMBILDER
- “Wing it like Lilly”, a TV series by Wolkenlenker
Marlene Wagener, head of APD, judged the event to have been a great success: “Despite the tense market situation, participation was very high – and we are delighted about that. The animation industry is once again proving itself to be resilient and innovative. The atmosphere was accordingly cooperative and constructive.“
Participant Quotes:
“APD is very well attended and extremely well organised. And so just in the space of two and a half days, we get to meet pretty much all the broadcasters from Europe, some even from outside Europe, streamers and more traditional broadcasters as well, and regional funding, and we meet colleagues from other countries as well. So compared to some other festivals or markets, it’s very compact and you achieve a lot.”
Erika Forzy, Passion Paris Production, France
“This year, I presented a completed film at the ITFS open-air cinema on Schlossplatz and discussed upcoming projects with colleagues from across Europe at APD in the State Museum. Bringing both together in one place at the same time – finished films and fresh ideas for future projects – creates a unique dynamic and an inspiring atmosphere.”
Sebastian Runschke, Seru Animation, Germany
“APD brings together both newcomers and industry veterans, providing a rare opportunity to connect with national and international broadcasters like KiKA, the BBC, and Disney. It’s a unique chance to meet the people behind these well-known brands, hear their insights and opinions, and consider their thought-provoking questions. I highly recommend it to any aspiring filmmaker.”
Julia Skala, Director, APD Talent Programme, Germany
Since 2024, Animation Production Days has held an ISO 2012 certificate, the leading international standard for sustainable event management.
Animation Production Days 2026 will take place from 5–7 May next year.
About Animation Production Days:
Animation Production Days (APD) is a joint venture of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) and the FMX – Film & Media Exchange. APD is organised by the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH in cooperation with the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH and is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Arts, and the Creative Europe MEDIA programme of the EU.
Press Contacts:
Animation Production Days
Marlene Wagener: ed.syadnoitcudorpnoitamina@renegaw.enelram, +49 (0) 30 911 47499
Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS)
Kathrin Stärk: ed.hbmg-lavitsef@kreats, +49 (0) 711 925 46 102
FMX – Film & Media Exchange
Bernd Haasis: ed.xmf@sisaah.dnreb, +49 (0) 7141 969 828 86