** Visualization and simulation play important roles not only in films. They are gaining importance in the full breadth of graphic image production, be it the automobile industry, architecture, archeology, museum exhibitions or in medical applications. MFG Innovation honors this trend with the series Cluster Visual Computing, initiated as a platform for companies from the German southwest who are interested in networking on national and international levels. Speakers belong to institutions within the cluster, such as key-note speaker Thomas Ertl, professor of computer science at the University of Stuttgart; Robert Mayer, president of the game developer weltenbauer; or computer science professor Harald Reiterer from the University of Konstanz, director of the Human-Computer Interaction Group.

Turbulence from the international financial markets have long since made their way to the animation industry, which makes a forum such as the Animation Production Day 2009 more important than ever before. This joint event by fmx/09 and the 16th International Festival of Animated Film Stuttgart is organized by Michael Schmetz Media Consult and does more than bring creatives and investors together in pre-arranged one-on-one meetings, it also proposes novel financing models and structures. fmx/09 marks the opening of APD to formats beyond animated feature films, such as games, TV, mobile entertainment and internet. All the hustle and bustle will be complemented by two expert panels on Financing & Brands, presented by the MFG Public Film Fund. "Where To Get the Money From?" is the theme of a panel of renowned producers and financiers hosted by Susanne Schosser, who brings in-depth experience with her from her time at SuperRTL and EM Ent.

invaZion '09: behind the mysterious title is the very first competition for stereoscopic short films, called into life by more3D, producer of 3D projectors. Industry giants such as Shelley Page (DreamWorks), Rob Engle (Sony Pictures Imageworks) and Christophe Hery (Industrial Light & Magic) select the winning films, which will be screened in due pomp and splendor. More information can be found at www.invazion.org.

And don't forget: numerous further Screenings. In addition to silver-screen showings of original cinema productions like WATCHMEN, BOLT and CORALINE are plentiful special programs that can only be seen in this constellation at fmx/09:

-- Shelley's Eye Candy, Shelley Page (DreamWorks Animation) presents her personal favorites
-- The Animation Show of Shows, cream of the crop by Dan Sarto and Ron Diamond (AWN)
-- SIGGRAPH 2008 Computer Animation Festival, Jill Smolin (ACM SIGGRAPH) cherry-picks personal highlights
-- SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 Computer Animation Festival, put together by Melanie Beisswenger (Nanyang Technological University)

And last but not least, are the motivational extras: the infamous Echtzeit Party. Dance to electronic beats by Der Thal with throbbing visuals and an immersive experience of an alternative kind. The HYPNOTRONIK project from the Augsburg Faculty of Design for graphic input, joined by the sprightly Onni Pohl (Strahlentiere) taking over as VJ, guiding dancers through a night of rhythm. By the way, Onni is the artist behind the fmx/09 trailer. fmx/09 thanks Autodesk, the generous sponsor of the Echtzeit party. You won't want to miss it: Wednesday, May 6 starting at 10 p.m. at Rocker 33.

fmx/09 is an event by Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg in cooperation with VES Visual Effects Society, AIAS Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, ACM Siggraph and 5D Conference.