Thinking about attending FMX this year? Whether you work in animation, VFX, archviz, or any corner of digital media creation, FMX is one of those events that’s absolutely worth the trip. Here’s a quick rundown of what the conference is all about and how to make the most of it.
What is FMX?
Film and Media Exchange (FMX) is Europe’s biggest conference for animation, visual effects, and digital media. It started back in 1994 as a small student fair organized by Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg and has since grown into a major international event. Every year it brings together hundreds of speakers, including Oscar and Emmy winners, alongside thousands of professionals and students from around the world.
The conference language is English, so no need to brush up on your German (though it won’t hurt for ordering food in Stuttgart).
Pulze Stand at FMX 2025 - Find us there this year too!
When and Where
FMX 2026 takes place at the Haus der Wirtschaft in Stuttgart, Germany. Here’s how it breaks down:
- On Site: May 5 to 7. This is the main event with talks, panels, workshops, and the exhibition floor.
- On Campus: May 8. A bonus day focused on education and emerging talent, powered by Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg.
- Online: May 8. A full day of exclusive sessions streamed on the FMX website.
- On Demand: May 9 to June 9. Most sessions become available to rewatch at your own pace. So even if you can’t make it in person, you still have options to catch the content.
What Actually Happens There?
FMX has two main components: the Conference and the Forum.
The Conference is the talks and presentations. This is where studios like Weta FX, Pixar, ILM, and others break down their latest work, share pipeline insights, and discuss new tools and techniques. Sessions range from behind-the-scenes deep dives on blockbuster films to panels on AI, real-time rendering, and emerging tech.
The Forum is the hands-on side. It includes the Marketplace (where companies and partners have stands and demos), workshops, and Company Suites. There’s also a Recruiting Hub where studios actively look for talent, which is a huge draw if you’re a student or early in your career.
Image from FMX 2025
Ticket Options
FMX offers a few different ticket types. The main ones to know about:
- Standard Pass: Gets you into On Site sessions, plus On Campus and On Demand access.
- Business Pass: Adds perks like priority access to presentations and entry to the Business Lounge, a dedicated space for networking with drinks and snacks.
- Combi Pass: Covers both FMX and ITFS (the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film), which runs alongside FMX from May 5 to 10. Great if you want to combine both events in one trip.
There’s also a Day Pass if you can only make it for one day, an Experience Pass for the Forum and Marketplace without conference sessions, and an Online Pass if you’re joining remotely.
Student tickets are available at a discount for students, apprentices, trainees, pensioners, and people with disabilities. Student groups can get additional discounts by contacting tickets@fmx.de directly.
You can buy tickets at fmx.de/tickets.
Getting There and Staying There
- By air: Lufthansa Group is the official mobility partner for FMX 2026 and offers discounted fares for attendees. Stuttgart Airport is well-connected to the city center. Read about travel discounts here.
- By train: FMX also partners with Deutsche Bahn for discounted event tickets, which is a solid option if you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe.
- Hotels: FMX has a dedicated hotel booking portal with options near the venue. Book early, because Stuttgart fills up fast during the conference. You can find it here.
Tips for First-Timers
- Plan your schedule ahead. The program is packed and sessions run in parallel. Browse the schedule at fmx.de/program and mark the ones you don’t want to miss.
- Leave room for the hallways. Some of the best conversations at FMX happen between sessions, at the Marketplace, or during the evening Get-Togethers. Don’t pack your day so tight that you miss the networking.
- Visit the Marketplace. Even if you’re mainly there for the talks, take time to walk the exhibition floor. You’ll find tool demos, company stands, and plenty of people happy to chat. (Including us at the Pulze stand!)
- Bring business cards. Or at least have your LinkedIn ready. You’ll meet a lot of people.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The venue is spread across multiple levels and you’ll be on your feet all day.
- Don’t skip On Campus. If you’re still around on May 8, the On Campus program is included with all on-site tickets. It focuses on education and new talent, but the content is interesting for everyone.
Come Say Hi
We’re proud to be a partner of FMX 2026 and we’ll have a stand at the Marketplace (booth 1.3). If you work with 3ds Max and want to talk about render management, scene organization, or AI-powered visualization, come find us. We’d love to meet you!
See you in Stuttgart!
FMX 2026 runs May 5 to 7 on site in Stuttgart. Learn more and get your tickets at fmx.de.
Cover image: FMX 2025 archive