I’m an Oscar®-winning animation filmmaker from Kassel, Germany, specializing in artistic animated short films and animation workshops.
Born in 1965 in Straubing, I discovered my passion for paintings, model building, and filmmaking at an early age. As a teenager, I received several national awards in visual arts competitions.
The groundbreaking visual effects and imaginative storytelling of Star Wars in the 1980s sparked my interest in filmmaking – especially animation, which allowed me to bring my own ideas to life. In 1982, I began producing my own stop-motion films – even before studying at the Kassel School of Art and Design under Oscar® nominee Paul Driessen.
The stop-motion short film QUEST, which I created in 1996 during my studies in collaboration with Tyron Montgomery, was awarded the Academy Award® for Best Animated Short Film in 1997.
After earning my diploma, I founded Lichthof – Film & Animation Studio in Kassel in 1999. Together with my team, I produced animated commercials for advertising agencies, television, and music labels. Today, I focus fully on independent artistic productions, animation workshops, and public presentations.
Since the early 1980s, I have created independent animated short films that have been shown at festivals worldwide and received over 150 international awards – both as a student and a professional. I use a wide range of animation techniques, including 2D hand-drawn animation, stop-motion, pixilation, 3D computer animation and experimental ink animation, to tell visually distinctive and expressive stories.
Alongside my artistic work, I have been leading animation workshops for children, teenagers, and adults since 1996. In my Animated Film Show, I present my short films live and offer insights into the creative process. My interactive Spinning Animation Shows features historical animation devices such as the zoetrope, combining artistic practice with an engaging perspective on film history.
I live and work in Kassel, Germany – as an independent animation artist, educator, and Oscar®-winning filmmaker with a passion for creative storytelling.
Discover my interviews, full filmography, and a gallery of photos and production insights.