Complementing the Co-Production and Financing Market, the APD Conference dives into the key trends and challenges shaping the animation industry today. As technology advances at lightning speed, production workflows and business models are evolving just as rapidly.
Through inspiring presentations, insightful panel discussions, and real-world case studies, the conference explores topics such as international co-production, financing strategies, the impact of emerging technologies, and shifting audience demands.
The Conference Programme is put together in close collaboration with the programming departments of ITFS and FMX.
13:45 - 14:00
Welcome
Welcoming Speeches
Carl Bergengruen, CEO, Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg (MFG)
Marlene Wagener, Head of Animation Production Days
14:00 - 15:00
Conference Part 1
Artificial Intelligence in Film: Practice, Education, Society
AI is already part of everyday filmmaking — from development and animation to post-production and education. But while tools are moving fast, the bigger questions often get lost: Who’s really in control? What changes creatively? And where does this all lead?
This panel brings together filmmakers, educators, and researchers to talk honestly about how AI is actually used today, what it means for creative work and teams, and how the industry might shape the next phase instead of just reacting to it. Expect real-world insights, critical perspectives, and a forward-looking discussion about the future of film and television in an AI-assisted world.
15:00 - 15:30
Networking Coffee Break
15:30 - 16:30
Conference Part 2
The First Yes!
IP today is built and discovered across multiple paths – broadcaster-led, platform-native, YouTube-first, game-adjacent, franchise-driven. There is no single route to market. What these paths share, however, is one defining moment: the audience decides — more than ever.
That first yes rarely happens because of production scale alone. It is triggered by signals – tone, mood, intent, familiarity, social proof – that allow viewers to recognise quickly whether something is “for me.” And that recognition plays out in different forms: a click, a completion, a share, a return. These signals guide not only viewers, but also the recommendation systems that amplify what audiences respond to.
This session explores how those different entry points shape an IP. What does a “yes” actually mean on each platform? Is more reach always better? When does diversification strengthen a project and when does it dilute it? And how does development need to adapt so that IP can travel across multiple environments from the outset?
Bringing together producer, platform and audience perspectives, the panel will challenge assumptions about discovery, scale and control. Not to offer formulas but to look at the strategic groundwork behind projects that are built to earn their first yes — wherever it happens.
