Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Impressive Talent
The Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg in Ludwigsburg, Germany, was established in 1991 as a publicly funded film school with a project-oriented curriculum encompassing all aspects of filmmaking, commercial film production, screenwriting, and interactive media.
Since its inception the school has risen to international prominence with many remarkable experimental student projects and speculative undertakings for various brands and public services communication.
In close collaboration with other educational institutions in London and Paris, teams of students produce about 250 films every year of impressive quality, covering all film-genres and audio-visual formats.
1. European Union, Never Again
This public service, student film entry to the Clio Awards by Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Ludwigsburg, won a well deserved Silver Award in 2020.
Directed by young filmmaker Mario Dahl for the Federal Foreign Office / European Union, the film is a thoughtfully conceived portrayal of how warmongers and xenophobes can rob the innocent and vulnerable of humanity and compassion in mindless acts of aggressor depravity.
2. Johnnie Walker, Dear Brother
Written and directed by Daniel Titz and Dorian Lebherz, two 3rd students at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, the speculative Johnnie Walker commercial, is a remarkable filmic endeavour.
Narrated by John Reilly and filmed in Scotland, the atmospheric story about two brothers on a hike in the Highlands, features emotive characterisation by actors Mathew Lewis Carter, and Robin Guiver, that resonated with millions of viewers with this superbly crafted script.
Walking the roads of our youth
through the land of our childhood, our home and our truth
Be near me, guide me
always stay beside me so i can be free, free
Lets roam this place
familiar and vast
our playground of green frames, our past
We were wanderers
never lost, always home
When every place was fenceless
and time was endless
our ways were always the same
Cool my demons and walk with me brother
until our roads lead us away from each other
and if your heart’s full of sorrow, keep walking,
don’t rest and promise me from heart to chest
to never let your memories die, never
I will always be alive and by your side,
in your mind
I’m free
3. Lux Soap, Save Your Skin
This speculative filmic project for Lux Soap by young filmmaker Andreas Bruns, from the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, is an impactful parody of the cult ‘Chainsaw Massacre’ horror movie.
His skilful direction and excellently produced endeavour received many accolades that included a Porsche International Student Advertising Film Award 1st Prize, a First Steps Award 1st Prize, a Cannes Young Directors 1st Prize, a CLIO Image Student Winner Award, a Saatchi & Saatchi New German Directors Showcase Award, an International Spotlight Festival Gold Audience Award, and a Deutscher Werbefilmpreis Talent Winner Award.
4. Adidas, Break Free
This 2nd Year Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg class project, involves a speculative commercial for Adidas running shoes.
Written and directed by Eugen Merher, and skilfully edited by Ernst Lattic, the scenario about an ex-marathon runner stranded in a soulless retirement home, is an emotive, keenly observed film, with sterling performances by the cast.
5. Rollin’ Wild, Safari Montage
Working on an animation project, third year Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg students Kyra Buschor, and Constantin Paeplow, asked themselves ‘what if animals were round?’
The four clips they presented as their answer, were so so enthusiastically received, they decided to continue their partnership after graduation to develop more animated short films.
‘Rollin’ Wild’s’ highly amusing take on spherically-shaped animals went viral, became a YouTube sensation that prompted the creation of a memorabilia online store, and garnered numerous international awards.
6. Mercedes-Benz, Eternal Love
Advertising Agency: In-house Daimler Creation, Germany
Written and directed by the talented filmmaking duo Dorian & Daniel, graduates of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, who as students produced the memorable ‘Dear Brother’ Johnnie Walker commercial, the scenario features a young driver travelling through Scotland’s scenic countryside while speaking to his Granddad about his Grandmother, via the enhanced User Experience features, of his Mercedes-Benz.
The narrative is interspersed with cinematic past recollections of eternal love that are heartwarmingly portrayed, and lead to a surprising and uplifting ending.