Archive notice: This article was originally published on January 27, 2012. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Currenlty, many parts of the program are still being planned – but with US-American Henry Jenkins, FMX is already delighted to have secured the participation of one of the most influential transmedia pioneers.
Here is an overview of the new thematic focuses:
Transmedia
One focus of this year’s program is the growing importance of transmedia – that is, the convergence of film, TV, computers, game consoles and mobile devices. The transmedia series is curated by Inga von Staden and examines the relationships between the various platforms.
The speakers already confirmed include the well-known transmedia pioneer and theorist Prof. Henry Jenkins, who will provide an overview of the subject at FMX 2012 and also give the audience in-depth insights into his research findings. The award-winning author, producer and founder of beActive, Nuno Bernardo, explains the production processes using his own interactive online series Sofia’s Diary – the first internationally successful series of its kind.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing makes it easier for users to get started with high-performance computing and promises them considerable advantages, not least because resources are shared. But what does this mean for the development of visual effects, computer games and animated films?
Several FMX presentations are devoted to this highly topical question. The cloud-computing series is curated by Ludwig von Reiche, Senior Director of Business Development at NVIDIA. The track examines and compares current cloud-computing offerings and questions their relevance to the production of animation, games and VFX. In view of the wide range of application areas, users and providers discuss not only the advantages and challenges of cloud computing, but also the latest trends and business models.
FMX meets Industrial CG
The Industrial CG track, curated by Ludwig Fuchs of RTT, is dedicated to users who use computer graphics (CG) for commercial purposes – from design and product development through to marketing and sales. CG allows product designers and marketing strategists to tell their stories in new, innovative ways tailored to customers. Speakers from renowned companies such as Audi, Porsche or PSA Peugeot Citroën give the audience detailed insights into how CG is used within their companies. The program series also examines the use of real-time and offline CG and explores why the use of computer graphics is changing working techniques in industry so decisively.
Focus: Canada, Poland and the Baltic States
As it does every year, FMX 2012 once again turns the spotlight on very specific regions and explains their latest successes and developments. Many companies in the animation and VFX industry are based in Canada, and numerous US companies have also opened new branches in Montreal and Vancouver. This interesting trend will be examined at FMX as part of Focus on Montreal and Focus on Vancouver from regional and international perspectives.
Alongside Canada, special attention is also being paid to successes and trends in Germany’s neighboring country Poland and in the Baltic States. The Eastern European countries have gained considerably in importance within the industry in recent years. As part of Focus on Poland, the company The Chimney Pot will present the postproduction of Marek Koterski’s comedy Baby sa jakies inne to FMX visitors.
FMX, ITFS and APD
In 2012, FMX is also continuing its long-standing, successful partnership with the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS). For the 19th time, ITFS, which takes place parallel to FMX from May 8-13, invites directors, production companies, distributors and world sales companies to present their animated films in Stuttgart. In addition to the promising ITFS screenings as part of the FMX program, the festival offers conference visitors the opportunity to round off the day in nearby downtown cinemas in the evening. Together, FMX and ITFS are organizing Animation Production Day 2012 (APD), a business platform for the international animation industry, from May 8 to 9. Once again, this transforms the Baden-Württemberg state capital Stuttgart into the "Animated Capital of Europe" – and exemplifies the region’s high importance with regard to the national film industry.
