German Film Academy Baden-Wuerttemberg, whose graduates Chris Stenner, Heidi Wittlinger, Georg Gruber and Arvid Uibel have been nominated for an Academy Award with their animated short Das Rad, has launched an international student exchange programme.

The new venture is aimed primarily at students attending foreign film schools and universities and wishing to study at the Film Academy from 4-10 months and will offer courses in directing, cinematography, producing, film music, working on a film or realisation of an own project. The Academy may be able to provide co-financing for the production of the film during the student's stay in Ludwigsburg.

Meanwhile, the visiting students will be expected to make their place at their home film school or university available to students from the Film Academy.

Commenting on the launch of the new programme, the Film Academy's artistic director Arthur Hofer commented that "as Europe is growing ever closer together, the necessity of international co-productions goes without saying. Consequently, broadening one's perspective beyond domestic affairs is an integral part of a sound education."