Workshops
PANELS & ARTIST TALK

WORKSHOP
VISIONS IN MOTION: CREATIVE MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCTION

HOW IS A MUSIC VIDEO MADE?
FROM THE IDEA TO THE FINISHED CLIP!

This workshop focuses on the practical realization of music videos and the most important factors to consider. From planning and shooting to post-production, it teaches step-by-step how to produce a music video efficiently and effectively.

Participants will learn how to develop a concept that fits the song, the importance of timing and rhythm, and how to create compelling visuals with limited resources. The workshop will also cover key topics such as on-set organization, camera settings, lighting, teamwork, and common mistakes that can be easily avoided.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Speaker Anastasia Habibi
Location: Elaya Hotel (Festival Centre), Oberursel

WORKSHOP
FILM IT! SHOOT CREATIVE CLIPS & POWERFUL SCENES WITH YOUR PHONE

YOU DON'T NEED A BIG CAMERA TO MAKE POWERFUL FILMS!

In this workshop, you'll learn how to shoot creative videos with your smartphone that grab attention and tell stories in visually exciting ways. Together, you'll discover what really matters in good recordings: composition, perspective, light, movement, and sound. With simple tools and practical exercises, you'll create short scenes and clips right on the spot—spontaneously, creatively, and immediately applicable. The focus is on hands-on experimentation and a keen eye for strong imagery, atmosphere, and impact. Whether for social media, creative projects, or simply for the fun of filmmaking—this is about bringing your own ideas to life more professionally.

The workshop will be led by Aaron Hohmann, a videographer and online marketing expert with many years of experience in film production and visual design. No prior knowledge required – just curiosity and a desire to get hands-on.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Referent Aaron Hohmann
Location: Elaya Hotel (Festival Centre), Oberursel

WORKSHOP
SOUND 1: THE LECTURE

„Everything you hear in a film is a lie.“

Sound engineer and sound producer Stephan Busch explains this in this two-part workshop. Besides the important dialogues, natural sounds are often boring and unoriginal, and recordings of ambient noises and action sounds on the film set rarely meet expectations. But luckily, there are so-called „sound effect artists“ like Jack Donovan Foley.

Star Wars producer George Lucas once said: "Sound is 50% of the whole movie". In these workshops, Stephan Busch and Lothar Weise take us into the world of real-sounding yet unreal noises and introduce us to one of the most dangerous sounds in the world.

The first part of the workshop („THE LECTURE“) consists of a lecture with countless and amazing examples from the world of film.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Referent Stephan Busch
Location: Elaya Hotel (Festival Centre), Oberursel

WORKSHOP
The stage is set!

Have you always wanted to be on stage or express yourself more freely in front of other people?

Then this workshop is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of the theater and to try yourself out creatively. With playful exercises from acting, movement and voice, you will discover together how much expression, energy and presence you possess. The focus is on the fun of playing, spontaneity, group dynamics, and the courage to simply try something new. The workshop invites you to overcome your own limits, act more confidently, and practically experience the impact of body, voice, and space – without performance pressure and without prior knowledge.

The course is led by Anja S. Gläser, an actress, presenter, and theater educator with many years of stage and workshop experience.

An open participatory workshop for everyone who is interested in theater, creativity, and trying things out together.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Speaker Anja S. Gläser
Location: Elaya Hotel (Festival Centre), Oberursel

WORKSHOP & PANEL [EN]
Between Vision & Contract: Financing, Law, and the Reality of Film Production

FILM IS NOT ONLY MADE THROUGH CREATIVITY, BUT ALSO THROUGH FINANCING, CONTRACTS, AND STRATEGIC DECISIONS.

This workshop illuminates the often-invisible side of film production: from funding structures, tax rebates, and presales to legal frameworks and budget responsibility. In a practical and understandable way, it shows which challenges filmmakers must overcome behind the scenes – and how creative vision and economic reality can be brought into harmony.

WORKSHOP [60 Minutes]
Concise input on financing, funding models, international structures, and the legal and economic foundations of film production.

PANEL & Q&A [30 Minutes]
Moderated discussion with industry experts, as well as space for questions, exchange, and practical insights.

Tonio Kellner producer and co-founder of Neopol Film, developing national and international film and series projects.

Caspar Arnhold is a photographer, cinematographer, director, and producer with many years of experience in visual design and cinematic storytelling.

Guido Hettinger is a lawyer and expert in media, copyright, and entertainment law and has been advising companies and creatives in the film and media industry for many years.

Together, they combine perspectives from production, creative work, and law, offering practical insights into the challenges and opportunities of today's film and media world.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Speakers: Guido Hettinger, Tonio Kellner, Caspar Arnhol
Location: Elaya Hotel (Festival Centre), Oberursel

WORKSHOP
FILMSET: ACTION! ACTING, CAMERA & CREATIVE ROLES ON SET

Are you interested in film, camera, or acting and want to experience how a short film is made directly on set?

Then our workshop is just the thing for you! Together, you'll develop creative scenes, work with professional film technology, and shoot your own short film in a real festival atmosphere. You'll take on various roles on set – in front of or behind the camera – and gain exciting insights into the world of filmmaking.

The focus is on practical work: shooting, experimenting, staging, and bringing film scenes to life as a team. You'll be supported by filmmaker Antonia Best.

Saturday, August 8
09:00 AM – 02:00 PM

Age group: 12 - 18 years
Speakers: Antonia Best
Location: Elaya Hotel (Festival Centre), Oberursel

WORKSHOP
SOUND 2: CREATING SOUND DESIGN

„Everything you hear in a film is a lie.“

Sound engineers and sound producers Stephan Busch & Lothar Weise explain this to us in this two-part workshop. Besides important dialogue, natural sounds are often boring and unoriginal, and recordings of ambient noises and action sounds on the film set rarely meet expectations. But fortunately, there are so-called „sound effect artists“ like Jack Donovan Foley.

Star Wars producer George Lucas once said, „The sound makes up 50% of the entire movie.“ In these workshops, Stephan Busch and Lothar Weise take us into the world of sounds that are realistic yet unreal, and introduce us to one of the most dangerous sounds in the world

In the second part of the workshop („CREATING SOUND DESIGN“), the sound design for a 120-second film sequence will be created live.

Saturday, August 8
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Speakers: Lothar Weise & Stephan Busch
Location: GrooveWerkstatt, Oberursel

PANEL [EN]
From Ad Budgets to Artistic Vision: Branded Producing Partners with Jerry Digby

Funding for film projects is becoming increasingly challenging for many filmmakers.

At the same time, brands are increasingly investing in high-quality content and evolving from traditional advertisers to creative partners. In this panel, producer and director Digby will show how filmmakers can successfully collaborate with brands without compromising their creative vision. Using concrete real-world examples, he will explore new financing models for feature films, series, short films, and digital formats.

Participants will learn how to find suitable brand partners, how to create successful collaborations, and how to integrate sponsoring meaningfully into creative projects without losing the story's authenticity. An inspiring panel for directors, producers, writers, and anyone seeking new ways to sustainably finance their projects.

Digby is a producer, director, and entrepreneur from Los Angeles. For many years, he has been developing and producing international film, media, and brand projects at the intersection of storytelling, entertainment, and innovative financing models. Digby will also serve as Jury President for the Taunale 2026 and brings his international experience in film production, brand collaborations, and content development to the festival.

Saturday, August 8
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Moderation: Nily Rahbar
Location: Elaya Hotel (Festival Centre), Oberursel

Artist Talk
KLAUS REICHERT JR.
„Fuck Storytelling“

„FUCK STORYTELLING“ IS NOT A REJECTION OF STORYTELLING, QUITE THE OPPOSITE.

It is a rejection of the comfortable idea that complex experiences, contradictory characters, and multifaceted worlds can be squeezed into a single, universal model. Using the film „The Wizard of Oz“ (1939) as an example, the author, radio host, and artist Klaus Reichert Jr. explores the classic motif of the hero's journey.

For anyone who makes films, writes stories, or simply wonders why so many stories feel so similar, this artist talk is an invitation: Come with us to Oz and let's peek behind the curtain.

An entertaining conversation about storytelling, its promises, and its limitations.

Saturday, August 8
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Moderation: Nina Adam
Location: Elaya Hotel (Festival Centre), Oberursel