fmx/08, the 13th International Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Digital Media, which takes place May 5-8 in Stuttgart, Germany, has announced its initial program of speakers.

They include Pixar DP Sharon Calahan, who will discuss creating the look for RATATOUILLE, Production Designer Alex McDowell (WATCHMEN) will share his ideas on Immersive Design and producer Paco Rodriguez will talk about his experience with NOCTURNA.

The Virtual Humans Forum in fmx/essentials features presentations by Kirsty Boyle (UNCANNY ROBOT), David Hanson (THE ZENO ROBOT) and Jeff Kleiser from Synthespians. The Visual Effects Society will host Gene Kosicki (Rhythm & Hues production manager on THE GOLDEN COMPASS) and VFX Supervisors Van Ling and Jeff Okun.

A special "Focus on India" will allow Saraswathi Balgam and Prashant Buyyala from Rhythm & Hues India to spread the word about vibrant topics straight from the subcontinent. Kevin Geiger (Animation Options), John Dietz (Rising Sun Pictures) and Dave Story (Adobe) contribute to fmx/technologies, Gary Carter (Freemantle Media) will enrich fmx/review and Ed Hooks returns with his masterclass Acting for Animators. And, in a surprise appearance, the well-known hip-hop producer of the Stuttgart-based band Die Fantastischen Vier, And.Ypsilon, talks about the more graphic aspects of mixing realtime visuals.

fmx/08 is an event by Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg in collaboration with VES, ITFS - Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film and AIAS -Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.

fmx/08 is organized by the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Post-production of Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg and NX Publishing.

fmx/08 is funded by Staatsministerium Baden-Wuerttemberg, Wirtschaftsministerium Baden- Wuerttemberg, MFG Medien -und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Wuerttemberg and the FFA German Federal Film Board.

For further information check out: www.fmx.de.