Leipzig, 29 October 2025 - Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) and Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) have launched a joint funding programme that specifically supports short animated films from Central Germany. Under the title "KEY FRAMES 2026" The aim is to encourage both up-and-coming talent and experienced filmmakers to realise innovative and artistically challenging projects.

The programme is aimed at filmmakers from Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia and aims to make the regional animation scene more visible. According to the organisers, projects that test new visual approaches or implement socially relevant topics in animated form are particularly eligible for funding. The selected short films will later be shown in the ARD media library and on MDR television.

In addition to financial support, "KEY FRAMES 2026" also offers participants professional guidance. Workshops and individual coaching sessions cover topics such as script development, storytelling and production planning. The aim is to strengthen the artistic signature of the filmmakers and promote dialogue within the animation community.

The application phase runs until the beginning of 2026 and a jury of experts from the film and media industry will assess the submitted projects. The funded short films should be completed by the end of 2026.

With this initiative, MDR and MDM are setting an example for the promotion of creative diversity and the further development of animated film as an independent art form in Central Germany.