TrickStudio Lutterbeck
TrickStudio Lutterbeck is an independent German animation studio in Cologne producing 2D and 3D animated feature films, TV series, shorts, and educational web content for children and family audiences, with German public broadcasters as its primary commissioning clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersCologne, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What TrickStudio Lutterbeck does
TrickStudio Lutterbeck GmbH is an independent German animation studio founded in 1987 in Cologne by Richard Lutterbeck and formally incorporated in 1998 with co-founder Matthias Bruhn. The studio produces animated feature films, TV series, shorts, Christmas specials, and educational companion websites for children and family audiences, with selected expansion into politically-themed adult animation. Production techniques span classical 2D hand-drawn animation, 3D CGI using Blender, motion capture (notably for the 'Fritzi & Sophie' series), and stop-motion. The studio maintains a core team of 1-10 people across conception, development, animation, compositing, and web design, supplemented by extended project-based collaborators.
The studio's revenue is assembled from three streams: animation production services delivered to broadcasters and institutions, licensing/royalty shares from international co-productions, and production grants from German and European film funding bodies. Customers are concentrated in the German public broadcaster system (ARD, KiKA, WDR, MDR, SWR, RBB), which functions simultaneously as co-producer and commissioning buyer. International co-production partners include Balance Film (Germany), Doghouse Film (Luxembourg), Artémis Productions (Belgium), MAUR film (Czech Republic), and Sluggerfilm (Switzerland). Institutional clients include the Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) for public-health campaign content and the Bundesstiftung Aufarbeitung for educational history projects.
The studio's go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven: it pitches projects at animation industry festivals including Cartoon Movie, Annecy, and the International Trickfilm Festival Stuttgart (ITFS), and pursues direct relationships with broadcast commissioning editors. Pricing is negotiated per project and not publicly disclosed. Over 30 years, productions have accumulated more than 100 international awards, including recognition at Berlinale, Annecy, Shanghai International Film Festival, and the German Film Prize (LOLA). The company is privately held with no disclosed external shareholders, parent company, or subsidiaries.
TrickStudio Lutterbeck firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TrickStudio Lutterbeck
- Legal name
- TrickStudio Lutterbeck GmbH
- Website
- https://www.trickstudio.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- TrickStudio Lutterbeck is an independent German animation studio in Cologne producing 2D and 3D animated feature films, TV series, shorts, and educational web content for children and family audiences, with German public broadcasters as its primary commissioning clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TrickStudio Lutterbeck industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animation Production Services
- NAICS
- Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)
- akta.pro primary industry
- 2D (Traditional & Digital) Animation Production (MPADACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- 2D Character Animation (MPAHACAA), 3D Character Animation (MPAHACAB), Short-Form Animation (Shorts, Web Series) (MPADACAI), 3D Product/Explainer Animation (MPAHACAD)
Keywords
Where TrickStudio Lutterbeck is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cologne
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
TrickStudio Lutterbeck business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Animation Production Services: Production of animated films, series, shorts, and commercials for clients including TV broadcasters, film distributors, and institutions.
- Co-productions: Joint production arrangements with international partners (Balance Film, Doghouse Film, Artémis Productions, MAUR film, Studio Filmbilder) where costs and rights are shared.
- Film Funding and Grants: Production funding from German and European film funding bodies including DFFF, nordmedia, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, BKM, MDM, MEDIA, and regional film foundations.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
TrickStudio Lutterbeck product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TrickStudio Lutterbeck is an independent animation studio that produces animated feature films, TV series, short films, and educational digital content for children and family audiences. It delivers end-to-end animation production services using 2D hand-drawn, 3D CGI (Blender), motion capture, and stop-motion techniques, working primarily with German public broadcasters (ARD, KiKA, WDR, MDR, SWR, RBB) and international co-production partners across Europe. The studio's portfolio includes the Fritzi franchise, the Molly Monster franchise, Die Sirene, and recurring short-form work such as Pit und Peggs Traumreise for Die Sendung mit der Maus.
Product overview
TrickStudio Lutterbeck is an independent German animation studio offering a diverse portfolio of animated content across multiple formats and techniques. The core offerings span animated feature films (including "Fritzi – A Revolutionary Tale" and "Molly Monster - The Movie"), TV series (such as "Molly Monster" with 52 episodes and "Fritzi & Sophie - Boundless Friendship" with 8 episodes), and Christmas TV specials (like "Molly and the Christmas Monster"). The studio also produces short films for children's programming including "Die Sendung mit der Maus" (The Show with the Mouse), educational companion websites, and provides animation services for external projects. Animation techniques employed include traditional 2D animation, 3D animation (using Blender software), motion capture technology, and stop-motion. The studio produces content for cinema, television, and digital platforms, with a focus on high-quality animation, original design, and storytelling for children and family audiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fritzi & Sophie - Boundless Friendship Animated TV series with 8 episodes of 22 minutes each, depicting the parallel story of Fritzi's friend Sophie who escapes to the West, based on the FRITZI – A Revolutionary Tale animated film. Aimed at children's programming blocks on German public broadcasters.
- FRITZI – A Revolutionary Tale Animated feature film (80 min) depicting the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 in Leipzig from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl, based on Hanna Schott's children's book 'Fritzi war dabei'. Aimed at children's theatrical audiences.
- Molly Monster - The Movie Animated feature film (72 min) following Molly's adventure with friend Edison to Egg Island where her parents are hatching a sibling. Family-friendly cinema film targeted at children experiencing their first movie.
- Molly Monster TV Series Children's TV series with 52 episodes of 5 minutes each, in which Molly, a happy little monster living in Monsterland, adventures with her best friend Edison, a wind-up toy. Aimed at pre-school audiences and broadcast on Sandmann and KiKA.
- Molly and the Christmas Monster Christmas TV special (26 min) in which Molly sets off north with Dad and Edison to visit the Christmas Monster. Follows the 52-episode Molly Monster series.
- Pit und Peggs Traumreise Short animated film (5:43 min) produced for Die Sendung mit der Maus (The Show with the Mouse), based on a 90-year-old screenplay and designs by Jewish painter Felix Nussbaum.
- Die Sirene (The Siren) Feature film (100 min) — an anti-war drama set in Iranian oil metropolis Abadan in 1980 — co-produced by TrickStudio Lutterbeck.
- Schalotte - An Onion for All Cases TV series in production with 26 episodes of 7 minutes each, described as the first vegan crime comedy for kids. Aimed at children's programming on German public broadcasters.
- Wendewundergeschichte Educational Website Educational website accompanying the Fritzi feature film, providing insight into everyday life in the GDR in 1989 through facts, photos, and video interviews with eyewitnesses. Designed for use in school teaching and commissioned by the Bundesstiftung Aufarbeitung.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100 international awards won in 30+ years of operation
Companies that use TrickStudio Lutterbeck
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TrickStudio Lutterbeck technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
TrickStudio Lutterbeck partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Studio FilmbildercoreCo-producer of 'Fritzi & Sophie' TV series (2022-2024). Third production partner alongside Balance Film and TrickStudio Lutterbeck.
- ARDcoreGerman public-service broadcaster and co-producer of 'Fritzi & Sophie' series. Broadcasting partner for TrickStudio productions including Fritzi, Molly Monster, and other children's content.
- MDRcoreMitteldeutscher Rundfunk as co-producer and broadcaster of 'Fritzi & Sophie' series.
- SWRmajorSüdwestrundfunk as co-producer and broadcaster of 'Fritzi & Sophie' series.
- WDRcoreWestdeutscher Rundfunk as co-producer and broadcaster. Long-term client for 'Die Sendung mit der Maus' productions including 'Pit und Peggs Traumreise'.
- Balance FilmcoreGerman animation studio and main co-producer of 'Fritzi - a revolutionary tale' (2019) and 'Fritzi & Sophie' TV series (2024). Long-standing partnership with TrickStudio Lutterbeck.
- Doghouse FilmcoreLuxembourg-based animation studio co-producer of 'Fritzi - a revolutionary tale' (2019) feature film.
- Artémis ProductionscoreBelgian production company co-producer of 'Fritzi - a revolutionary tale' (2019) feature film.
- MAUR filmcoreCzech animation studio co-producer of 'Fritzi - a revolutionary tale' (2019) feature film.
- Bundesstiftung AufarbeitungminorFederal foundation for processing SED dictatorship providing funding and commissioning for educational website 'Wendewundergeschichte' about GDR 1989.
- KiKAcoreGerman children's TV channel as co-producer and broadcaster of Molly Monster series and Christmas special, Fritzi & Sophie series.
- Little Monster GmbHcoreProduction company of Ted Sieger, creators of Molly Monster franchise, co-producer of series, film, and Christmas special.
- SluggerfilmcoreSwiss production company co-producer of Molly Monster franchise productions.
- Alexandra Schatz FilmproduktioncoreGerman production company of Alexandra Schatz, producer of Molly Monster franchise and various TrickStudio productions.
- RBB (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg)majorGerman public broadcaster as co-producer and broadcaster of Molly Monster series.
- SF (Schweizer Fernsehen)majorSwiss broadcaster as co-producer of Molly Monster series.
- tsr (Radio Télévision Suisse)minorSwiss French broadcaster as co-producer of Molly Monster series.
- rtsiminorItalian Swiss broadcaster as co-producer of Molly Monster series.
- tvR (TV Rhône)minorRegional French broadcaster as co-producer of Molly Monster series.
- svt (Sveriges Television)minorSwedish public broadcaster as co-producer of Molly Monster series.
- BZgA (Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung)minorGerman Federal Centre for Health Education as client for anti-AIDS campaign spots including 'Freier Fall' and 'Liebesleben' campaign.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
TrickStudio Lutterbeck competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Studio Filmbilder: Co-producer of the Fritzi & Sophie TV series (2022-2024) alongside Balance Film and TrickStudio. A comparable small-to-mid German independent animation studio producing children's content with public broadcasters.
- Little Monster GmbH: German production company of Ted Sieger, creators of the Molly Monster franchise, co-producing series, film and Christmas special with TrickStudio. Closely comparable independent German children's animation/IP studio.
- Hahn Film: German animation studio producing children's series and feature films, often in 2D/3D hybrid techniques. Comparable mid-sized independent studio operating in the same German and European public-broadcaster commissioning ecosystem.
- Cartoon Saloon: Irish independent animation studio producing hand-drawn and hybrid animated feature films and series for children/family audiences with strong festival and awards track record. Highly comparable craft-led business model, though larger in scale.
- MAUR film: Czech animation studio that co-produced Fritzi - a revolutionary tale with TrickStudio. Comparable small European animation studio specializing in 2D/hybrid children's content for international co-productions.
- Balance Film: German independent animation studio and main co-producer of Fritzi - a revolutionary tale and the Fritzi & Sophie series alongside TrickStudio Lutterbeck. Operates a similar size and project-based German public-broadcaster co-production model.
- Doghouse Film: Luxembourg-based animation studio that co-produced Fritzi - a revolutionary tale alongside TrickStudio. Comparable independent European animation studio serving international co-productions for kids/family content.
- Sluggerfilm: Swiss production company co-producing the Molly Monster franchise with TrickStudio and Little Monster GmbH. Comparable size and operates in the same German-language children's animation co-production market.
- Artémis Productions: Belgian production company that co-produced Fritzi - a revolutionary tale with TrickStudio and other European partners. Similar independent European animation studio participating in multi-country children's co-productions.
- Studio Soi: Independent German animation studio producing 2D and hybrid animated feature films and series for children and family audiences, with a comparable reliance on German broadcaster co-productions and festival-driven distribution.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TrickStudio Lutterbeck social profiles
Digital presenceTrickStudio Lutterbeck financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TrickStudio Lutterbeck leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
TrickStudio Lutterbeck funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TrickStudio Lutterbeck M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TrickStudio Lutterbeck
What does TrickStudio Lutterbeck do?
TrickStudio Lutterbeck is an independent animation studio that produces animated feature films, TV series, short films, and educational digital content for children and family audiences. It delivers end-to-end animation production services using 2D hand-drawn, 3D CGI (Blender), motion capture, and stop-motion techniques, working primarily with German public broadcasters (ARD, KiKA, WDR, MDR, SWR, RBB) and international co-production partners across Europe. The studio's portfolio includes the Fritzi franchise, the Molly Monster franchise, Die Sirene, and recurring short-form work such as Pit und Peggs Traumreise for Die Sendung mit der Maus.
Is TrickStudio Lutterbeck a public or private company?
TrickStudio Lutterbeck is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was TrickStudio Lutterbeck founded?
TrickStudio Lutterbeck was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is TrickStudio Lutterbeck based?
TrickStudio Lutterbeck is headquartered in Cologne, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does TrickStudio Lutterbeck make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Animation Production Services are the primary driver. The others are co-productions and film Funding and Grants.
Who are TrickStudio Lutterbeck's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Studio Filmbilder, Little Monster GmbH, Hahn Film, Cartoon Saloon, MAUR film, Balance Film, Doghouse Film, Sluggerfilm, Artémis Productions and Studio Soi.
Does TrickStudio Lutterbeck have an API?
No public API is recorded for TrickStudio Lutterbeck.
What industry is TrickStudio Lutterbeck in?
TrickStudio Lutterbeck's product category is Animation Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADACAA, 2D (Traditional & Digital) Animation Production, with a secondary code of MPAHACAA, 2D Character Animation. Its NAICS code is 51219 and its SIC code is 7812.