Movies
Stuttgart’s animation festival rolls out the red carpet — and the puppets
MUMBAI: Germany’s biggest animation celebration just hit play. On 6 May, the 32nd edition of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) opened to a packed house at Gloria 1 cinema, with directors Heike Mozer and Annegret Richter welcoming audiences alongside cultural top brass and civic cheerleaders.
“I believe the creative industries have a key role to play in shaping the future of our region. This is where new ways of thinking are born, where creatives constantly bring forth fresh ideas — and where new jobs are created. This is especially true for the field of animated media,” said state secretary of culture Arne Braun. “The Stuttgart Animated Week — with the International Festival of Animated Film, the FMX Conference, and the Animation Production Days — is our showcase to the world. And at the same time, a magnet for talent, visionaries, and international decision-makers. Animation, VFX, and games are no longer just about entertainment.”
He underscored animation’s rising influence in shaping both jobs and geopolitics. The Baden-Württemberg region, he noted, has seen its animation and VFX industries treble in number and multiply turnover eightfold since 2010.
The evening capped off the launch of Stuttgart Animated Week, a triple-bill celebration spanning ITFS, Animation Production Days, and the FMX Conference. The result: a one-stop shop where art meets commerce, and craft meets code.
New in 2025: an earlier awards ceremony on 10 May, giving the public a chance to see winning films before heading home.
“With the big awards ceremony moving to Saturday night, we’re creating a fresh dynamic for the festival — which benefits all our guests, as we’re able to screen the winning films the next day. With a colourful family programme, we’re turning the festival Sunday into a dedicated audience day,” said ITFS managing director Heike Mozer.
This year’s AniMovie competition features six global heavyweights, including Memory Hotel by Germany’s Heinrich Sabl — a labour of love 25 years in the making. The €3,000 prize is sponsored by broadcaster SWR.
“The AniMovie competition highlights the rich variety and artistic ambition of today’s animated features. We’re excited to have a German entry in the running, and we are thankful to SWR for recognising the genre — it’s an important and encouraging signal for the industry,” said ITFS artistic director Annegret Richter.
With Switzerland in focus, a robust delegation of Swiss creators arrived with a showcase of films and a free exhibition from the tactile triumph Sauvages. The festival’s broader spotlight on stop motion strikes a nostalgic chord in a world awash with CGI and AI.
“This year, we’re seeing a noticeable increase in stop-motion and puppet animation, both in competitions and across other festival formats. There’s something compelling about this tactile approach to animation — the attention to craftsmanship, the patience it demands. In today’s fast-paced, digital, and AI-driven world, it offers a welcome contrast and a sense of calm,” Richter noted.
Among the early highlights: Richard Reeves’s experimental short Fusion (Canada), drawn directly onto celluloid with no camera involved, and The Wild-Tempered Clavier by Anna Samo (Germany), a toilet-paper canvas commentary on war, plague, and politics.
With 500+ films, hands-on workshops at Schlossplatz, and a new “Professional Afternoon” for insiders, ITFS 2025 is pulling no punches.
Animation’s not just having a moment — it’s building a movement.
Movies
Tamil film Made in Korea tops Netflix global chart, storms 24 countries
Cross-cultural drama races to No.1, marking a global breakthrough for South Indian cinema
MUMBAI: A Tamil tale has gone global at speed. Netflix’s Made in Korea has shot to No.1 on its Global Top 10 Non-English Films list, trending across 24 countries within days of release.
Premiering on March 12, the film, directed by Ra.Karthik and starring Priyanka Mohan, is the only South Indian title to claim the top spot across both licensed and Netflix original films, underlining the growing global pull of regional Indian cinema.
The story, which follows Shenba’s journey from Tamil Nadu to Seoul, has struck a chord for its emotional warmth, scenic visuals and cross-cultural appeal. Early word-of-mouth has powered its rapid climb, turning a modest release into a global talking point.
Monika Shergill, vice-president, content, Netflix India, said, “We are proud that a story like Made in Korea has become the first ever film from our south slate to land at the No.1 spot on our Global Top 10 Non-English Films list. It reaffirms our belief that there is so much more from India for the world to discover and embrace. This film stands out for blending two distinct cultures into one powerful story that explores universal emotions of love, friendship, belonging and family. At Netflix, we remain committed to championing authentic, locally rooted stories and it’s incredibly exciting to see a film like this travel so widely and connect with audiences around the world.”
Priyanka Mohan called the moment deeply personal. “Moments like these are what every artist truly hopes for. We always strive to give our best, but some films become very special in our journey as performers, and Made in Korea is one of them for me. Shenba is a character that touched my heart from the moment I read the script, and bringing her story to life has been incredibly meaningful. Working with Ra.Karthik sir was a wonderful experience. He has such clarity and sincerity in the way he tells stories. I’m also grateful to our producer Sreenidhi Sagar sir and the entire team for their constant support. And of course, my heartfelt thanks to Netflix for giving this story such a wonderful platform and helping it reach audiences everywhere.”
Ra.Karthik struck a similar note. “There are certain films you make with complete faith in the audience, believing they will connect with the emotions you are trying to convey. It is truly heartening to see Made in Korea trending on Netflix and receiving such encouraging responses from viewers, not just in India but across the world. Priyanka Mohan brought incredible dedication and sincerity to Shenba’s character, and that commitment reflects beautifully on screen. I’m grateful to producer Sreenidhi Sagar for trusting this story and to Netflix for providing such a wonderful platform for the film to reach audiences across countries.”
As the film continues to travel across borders, its success signals more than just a hit. It marks a shift, where local stories, told with authenticity, are no longer confined by language or geography. In the streaming wars, the South is not just rising. It is rewriting the script.
