Studio Film Pictures

What Studio Film Pictures does

Studio Film Bilder (legal entity: Studio FILM BILDER GmbH) is a Stuttgart-based independent animation studio founded in 1989 by Thomas Meyer-Hermann. The studio produces original animated content across multiple techniques — 2D hand-drawn, CGI, claymation/stop-motion, pixilation, cut-out digital and mixed media — for two principal segments: pre-school and early-childhood television series (TOM, Animanimals, Patchwork Pals, Lena's Farm, Animal Stories) and adult-oriented independent shorts and music videos (Altötting, Benztown, plus the in-development 90-minute feature 'Your Spotted Skin'). The studio operates a 'twin-track' model that combines original artistic productions with commissioned work for broadcasters and advertising agencies.

Its business model rests on three revenue streams: commissioned animation projects for public broadcasters and corporate clients (ZDF, SWR, KiKA, BBC/CBEEBIES, RBB) typically structured as co-productions with German regional film funds (MFG Baden-Württemberg, FFA, MDM and others) plus Creative Europe MEDIA; international content licensing through world sales agents Meta Media Entertainment and Beta Film/WeKids (TOM/Animanimals distributed to 180+ territories); and direct-to-consumer merchandise via an owned e-commerce shop and partner platforms (Swook, Redbubble, Murmel Kreativ), selling DVDs (€9.90), apparel (€18-49), books, card games, blankets and digital products. Marketing is digital-first, anchored by a YouTube channel ('Filmbilder & Friends') posting two new films monthly, alongside Facebook and Instagram branded accounts per series.

The studio employs a core team of approximately twelve staff supplemented by a project-based network of directors, designers, animators and technicians. It has accumulated over 300 festival prizes across three decades, including Best TV Series at Annecy (2013) and a 2025 Annecy Jury Award for TV Series. Operating status is active with current productions, recent hires (2024-2025), and a continuously updated website. There are no subsidiaries, no external investors, no patent portfolio, and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities — the studio's value proposition rests on traditional animation craft, brand IP (TOM, Animanimals, Patchwork Pals), and the international credibility conferred by sustained festival recognition.

Name

Studio Film Pictures

Legal name

Studio FILM BILDER GmbH

Website

https://filmbilder.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Studio Film Bilder is a Stuttgart-based independent animation studio producing original 2D and CGI animated series, shorts, and feature films for children and adult audiences, serving public broadcasters (ZDF, SWR, KiKA, BBC) and international distributors via co-productions, licensing, and direct merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Merchandise and Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through owned e-commerce shop and partner platforms. Products include DVDs (€9.90), clothing items (€18-49), books (€5.90-22), blankets (€49), and digital downloads (€5.90-15). Also sold through Swook (patchwork blankets) and Redbubble/Murmel Kreativ (Animanimals fabrics and apparel)
2. Commissioned Animation Projects: Production of commissioned animation work for television channels (ZDF, SWR, KiKA, BBC, CBEEBIES), advertising agencies, and corporate clients. Twin-track approach balancing independent artistic projects with commercial commissions
3. Content Licensing and Distribution: Licensing of original content to broadcasters and distributors worldwide. TOM distributed to 180+ territories via Meta Media Entertainment; Patchwork Pals distributed via Beta Film/WeKids. Co-productions with international partners

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Studio Film Bilder is an independent animation studio that produces original animated films, TV series, and short films using diverse techniques including 2D hand-drawn, CGI, claymation, pixilation, and mixed media. The studio combines independent artistic productions with commissioned work for German and international public broadcasters (ZDF, SWR, KiKA, BBC/CBEEBIES). It also generates revenue through merchandise sales via its own e-commerce shop and licensed distribution to 180+ territories worldwide.

Product overview

Studio Film Bilder is a traditional animation studio that produces homegrown animation based on original content, employing a 'twin-track' ethos combining independent artistic work with commissioned projects. The company's core product portfolio includes animated TV series and films for children: TOM & the Slice of Bread with Strawberry Jam & Honey (52 x 5 min 2D series for ages 3-8), Animanimals (52 x 4 min 2D collection for ages 4-8), Patchwork Pals (52 x 4 min 2D series for ages 2-4), and Lena's Farm (26 x 5:40 min hand-drawn series). Feature films in development include Your Spotted Skin (90 min CGI) and Lambs (26 x 5 min CGI). The company also operates a merchandise shop selling branded products including DVDs, clothing (TOM Beanies, Caps, T-Shirts, Bags), Patchwork Blankets, card games (Animanimals Quartett, Patchwork Pals Pairs), colouring books, and sewing guides for its successful properties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Animanimals: Collection of 52 animated shorts for children ages 4-8 featuring animals with quirky traits that turn out to be advantages. Won 103 awards in 22 countries and sold to 180+ territories.
• Patchwork Pals
• TOM

Products and services

• TOM & the Slice of Bread with Strawberry Jam & Honey A TV series of 52 episodes x 5 min in 2D animation targeted at children aged 3-8. Each episode follows Tom as he searches for his slice of bread with strawberry jam and honey. World sales handled by Meta Media Entertainment.
• Animanimals A collection of 52 episodes x 4 min in 2D animation featuring animals with quirky qualities that turn out to be advantages. Targeted at children aged 4-8. Achieved 103 awards in 22 countries and 140 million YouTube views, distributed to 180+ territories.
• Patchwork Pals A series of 52 episodes x 4 min in 2D animation, featuring animal characters on a patchwork quilt who help each other solve small problems. Targeted at children aged 2-4. Co-produced with CBEEBIES, BBC, and RBB. World sales by Beta Film and WeKids.
• Lena's Farm A TV series of 26 episodes x 5:40 min in hand-drawn animation. Features eccentric frog, daydreaming piglet, and other peculiar farm animals. Uses purely visual narration with no dialogue. Co-produced with ZDF and MINYA Film & Animation.
• Your Spotted Skin A feature film of 90 min in CGI, dark comedy genre targeted at (young) adults. In development with Thomas Strittmatter Award for Best Script. Directors: Stefan Krohmer, Daniel Nocke, Thomas Meyer-Hermann.
• Animal Stories A collection of 11 short animated films (between 3-5 min each) for small children, featuring various animals created by nine young directors. Used for SWR show 'I know an Animal' which won awards including Prix Jeunesse.
• Altötting A short film of 11 min using traditional cartoon and 2D computer animation. A coming-of-age story about love, faith, mortality, and shattered illusions by Andreas Hykade. Co-produced with National Film Board of Canada.
• Benztown A short film and mini series of 4:45 min in CGI and VFX. A satirical piece about Stuttgart's traffic chaos and the city's fight against traffic problems. Directed by Gottfried Mentor.
• TOM Merchandise Collection

Quantifiable outcome

• Animanimals collection achieved 140 million+ YouTube views and sold to 180+ territories
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• National Film Board of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for Altötting short film. Collaborative international production bringing together German, Canadian, and Portuguese production expertise.
• Ciclope FilmescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for Altötting alongside National Film Board of Canada and Studio Film Bilder.
• SWRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman public broadcaster and co-production partner for TOM series and Animal Stories. Editor Benjamin Manns serves as production executive. Long-term relationship with shared commissioning history.
• ZDFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman public broadcaster and co-production partner for Lena's Farm series.
• KiKA / SWRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman children's broadcaster co-producer for Animanimals series. Supervision by Sebastian Debertin with production executives Stefan Pfäffle and Anne-Kathrin Becker.
• CBEEBIES / BBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK public broadcaster production executives Jackie Edwards, Sarah Legg, and Nick Hall served as production executives for Patchwork Pals.
• RBBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman regional broadcaster production executives Anja Hagemeier, Valentina Grazzi, and Anne Knabe served as production executives for Patchwork Pals.
• Meta Media EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld sales agent for TOM series, having sold the series to more than 180 territories internationally.
• Beta Film / WeKidscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld sales partners for Patchwork Pals series distribution.
• Little Dream PicturescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman cinema distributor for feature film Your Spotted Skin.
• M.A.R.K.13 StudioscoreTechnology or IntegrationAnimation studio partner for Benztown CGI and VFX production. Dominique Schuchmann and Holger Weis led animation work with extensive team.
• Raumkapsel AnimationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production studio for feature film Your Spotted Skin alongside Studio Film Bilder, Balance Film, Arx Anima, Something Big, and Minya Film & Animation.
• Balance FilmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production studio for feature film Your Spotted Skin.
• Arx AnimacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production studio for feature film Your Spotted Skin.
• Something BigcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production studio for feature film Your Spotted Skin.
• Minya Film & AnimationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production studio for Lena's Farm and feature film Your Spotted Skin. German-Croatian co-production.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cartoon Saloon: Irish independent animation studio whose festival-led, character-driven model (Wolfwalkers, Song of the Sea) closely parallels Studio Film Bilder's auteur short-film and series approach.
• Lupus Films: UK independent animation house behind The Snowman and the Snowdog; comparable in producing dialogue-light, character-driven preschool specials with broad international broadcast reach.
• National Film Board of Canada: Public-sector animation producer and existing co-production partner on Altötting, with a comparable auteur short-film tradition and international festival footprint.
• Studio Soi: Stuttgart-based animation studio with comparable boutique scale and a strong festival/co-production profile, working on auteur-led and children's animation for European broadcasters.
• M.A.R.K.13 Studios: German CGI/VFX animation studio and Benztown partner; comparable in scale, with overlap in commissioned broadcast work and CGI series development.
• Balance Film: German animation co-production partner on Your Spotted Skin; operates in the same boutique independent-animation segment targeting adult and crossover audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Aardman Animations: Larger UK stop-motion and CG animation studio with overlapping preschool IP (Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time); a relevant comparable for what scaled-up boutique animation can achieve commercially.
• Laika: US stop-motion feature animation studio with strong festival pedigree and a premium, auteur-led pipeline; useful comparable for scaling independent craft animation into feature work.
• WildBrain: Canadian children's entertainment company with a deep preschool IP library and global distribution; relevant comparable for the streaming/distribution and consumer-products layer of the value chain.
• Studio 100 Animation: European children's animation powerhouse (Maya the Bee, Heidi); comparable as a competing supplier of preschool series to the same German and international public broadcasters.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/filmbilder
• Facebookfacebook.com/studiofilmbilder
• Instagraminstagram.com/official.animanimals
• Xx.com/filmbilder

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Studio Film Pictures