I remember my first appearance at the Stuttgart Trickfilm Festival, around 1988. It was a small festival with a lot of heart and passion. Of course, now it‘s much larger – but still has a lot of heart, and that‘s why I continue to return to Stuttgart for the best programming and the best audiences. Thank you, Stuttgart!

When I am asked about ITFS what comes to mind are the great films I saw, the great people I‘ve met, and the great city of Stuttgart. Also, the affection ITFS audiences have had for “The Simpsons” and for my involvement for it is something I’ll never forget. I have had wonderful experiences on juries, in screenings, in restaurants, and in bars. (Fortunately not behind bars.) And the fact that my tuba playing is asked for and for some reason tolerated is an added bonus!

My history with the ITFS goes back to 1992 when I was fortunate enough to win an award for my RCA graduation film. A couple of years later in 1994 I presented AH POOK IS HERE as a result of that award. I’ve been in the festivals orbit ever since, sometimes as a visitor, other times as a guest speaker or jury member, and also as an exhibitor with projects from STUDIO AKA. We’ve shown our short films like JOJO IN THE STARS, VARMINTS, LOST AND FOUND & A MORNING STROLL, and now our TV show HEY DUGGEE. The festival always holds a special place for me due to such a longstanding connection, but also because I can rely on there to always be something new and interesting to watch. I’m looking forward to 2018 as the Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary edition and hope to discover more about this endlessly evolving and diverse medium.

The first time I was at ITFS it was also my first trip to a festival abroad with my personal work... I was nervous... The festival was earlier in the year, I remember there were still traces of snow, but there were also jonquils and crocus rising. And I felt warmly welcomed at the end of that winter. From there my films have been screened there, I visited the festival several times, I was a member of the jury and had an exhibition ... it’s a long relationship that surely will continue for many more years. Happy Birthday ITFS!

ITFS has always been one of my favorite film festivals! From the beginning, you always strongly supported independent filmmakers and women filmmakers, as evidenced by your retrospectives and the composition of your juries. Thank you! At every festival you offer a welcoming, gracious, inclusive atmosphere and a deep variety of intelligent, thoughtful programming. Sending you much love and congratulations on your 25th anniversary edition.

ITFS? Was assoziiere ich? Meine Reisen von Hamburg nach Stuttgart. Albrecht, Uli, Dittmar. Bin ich Trickfilmer? Oder was sonst? Planetarium (toller Name für ein Kino!) Die wunderbare Reithalle. Die Rendezvous dort. All die Filme, viele doof, viele phantastisch. Sicher hat das ITFS dazu beigetragen, dass ich heute in Baden-Württemberg lebe...