Anniversary Edition Provides Strong Impetus for the Industry

Stuttgart 8 May 2026– The 20th edition of Animation Production Days (APD) concluded yesterday with great success, once again underlining its role as Germany’s leading business platform for the animation industry. A total of 178 participants from 27 countries came together over three intensive days to present new projects, initiate international co-productions, and exchange views on current industry developments. APD is part of the Stuttgart Animated Week, which was opened on Monday 4 May together with the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) and FMX – Film & Media Exchange.

Co-Production and Financing Market

Approximately 1,000 pre-arranged business meetings took place at the Landesmuseum Württemberg from 5 to 7 May. A total of 50 selected animation projects were presented at the co-production and financing market.

110 producers and creatives met with 68 representatives from studios, broadcasters, streaming platforms, sales agents, funding bodies and other industry experts to receive feedback on the market potential of their ideas, discuss development strategies, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Participating companies included major German broadcasters such as ZDF, KiKA, Super RTL, WDR, MDR, HR, SWR and BR, alongside international players including Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, France Télévisions, BBC and Canal+.

APD Conference Highlights AI and Audience Strategies

The APD Conference, held on 5 May at the ITFS Festival Centre, welcomed around 200 industry professionals and focused on key issues shaping the future of the animation sector.

In the first panel, Nira Bozkurt (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg), Larry Cutler (Baobab Studios) und Aleksi Hyvärinen (Don Films & The Alchemist) discussed the growing importance of artificial intelligence in animation production—from current applications through to future potential. The session was moderated by Prof Lilian Klages.

The second panel, “The First Yes!”, explored how audience decision-making is evolving and the strategic implications this has for project development. The discussion was moderated by Janine Weigold and featured Jo Allen (BBC Children’s & Education) and Thom Chapman (Victura Media).

Two roundtable sessions offered further practical insights: in cooperation with Young Horizons Industry, Zofia Ścisłowska (Laniakea Pictures) presented a case study on “Cloudy & Stormy: A New Generation of Audience-First Storytelling.” Mark Taynton (Marky Sparky Media) led a discussion on how the European animation industry can strengthen its position in the growing adult animation segment.

The Talent Speed Pitch, showcasing nine selected projects by up-and-coming talents, also attracted great interest. The programme was complemented by a range of networking events.

As part of the ongoing partnership with CARTOON, the European Association of Animation, two German producers will once again have the opportunity to present their projects – first introduced at APD – at the CARTOON Forum in Toulouse this September.

The selected projects:

• “Emotsters”, a TV series by Blaue Pampelmuse (Leipzig)
• “Cozy Cove”, a TV series by Wolkenlenker (Berlin)

Statements/Quotes:

I feel that APD has truly become what we always hoped it would be: a co-production market built around genuine exchange — open, creative, and shaped by European collaboration. Despite all the challenges facing the industry, the energy of this 20th edition was very positive.
Marlene Wagener, Head of APD

For me, as an animation producer, APD is one of the most important events of the year for financing animated TV series.
Thomas Borch Nielsen, Nice Ninja, Denmark

It’s a nice mix of people I already know and new faces from all over Europe – new talents, smaller producers, and lots of producers from Germany. And it’s very, very well organized. Awesome!
Aurélie Wack, Warner Bros. Discovery, France

We are just entering the industry and trying to figure out how everything works. The atmosphere is amazing. You feel like you know everybody, even though you’re seeing them for the first time in your life. So this is something very special.
Karolina Potrzebska & Anna Walczak, Animoon, Poland (APD Talent Programme)

Lots of new faces, lots of new people, and some really cool studios I hadn’t met before. So it’s a really good balance of networking, catching up with friends, and discovering great projects. Aside from the perfect organization, it’s really the atmosphere that stands out. It’s not like any other market – everyone is excited to pitch and share ideas. It’s very positive and friendly.
Adam Bailey, BBC Studios, UK

Animation Production Days were organised as a Green Event BW.

The next edition will take place from 27 to 29 April 2027.

 

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. It is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts, the German Federal Film Board (FFA), the MFG Baden-Württemberg film funding organisation and the Creative Europe MEDIA programme of the EU.

Images:
https://animationproductiondays.de/press/photos-downloads/

Press Contacts:

Animation Production Days
Marlene Wagener: zneyrar.jntrare@navzngvbacebqhpgvbaqnlf.qr, +49 (0) 711 925 46-150

Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS)
Lena Demmer: qrzzre@srfgviny-tzou.qr, +49 (0) 711 925 46 102

FMX – Film & Media Exchange
Bernd Haasis: oreaq.unnfvf@szk.qr, +49 (0) 7141 969 828 86