Jörg Bachmaier can look back on over 20 years of experience in the film and television industry, as well as in content development and production. He held leading positions in global companies, both in Germany and subsequently in Los Angeles and London—and since November 2024, he has been the CEO (Vorstandsvorsitzender) of Studio Babelsberg AG.
What were his reasons for returning to Germany, and what significance does the traditional Studio Babelsberg hold for him? What measures are necessary to make Potsdam attractive once again for national and international film and series productions? And how can Babelsberg as a location establish itself as a technology hub in the future? We spoke with Jörg Bachmaier about these and other questions.
MTH Potsdam:
After working at ZDF Studios and the Kirch Group at the turn of the millennium, you subsequently moved to LA and London. There, you held management positions at Endemol USA, BBC Studios, and Warner Bros., among others. How did it come about that you have now returned to Germany? And do the film studios in Babelsberg hold a significance—perhaps even a special one—for you?
Jörg Bachmaier:
The high regard in which Studio Babelsberg is held in the fields of creativity and innovation was the deciding factor for me to return home after over 20 years in Los Angeles and London. Studio Babelsberg is a legend, a special place that combines tradition with constant evolution like no other, offering the ideal conditions for outstanding productions with its creative environment. It is not only the heart of German film history but also a place where the future of film is being created. I am proud to now be a part of it and am very much looking forward to helping shape the location with my experience and motivation.
MTH Potsdam:
Potsdam-Babelsberg is not only a traditional film location but also a modern media centre. What role do technological innovations play for Studio Babelsberg? And what priorities are you setting in this regard?
Jörg Bachmaier:
Technological innovations have been a central part of our work since the studio was founded. As early as the 1920s, Babelsberg revolutionised filmmaking with the ‘unleashed camera’, the pioneering science fiction classic “Metropolis”, and the first German sound film. This tradition drives us; therefore, we remain curious and invest continuously in new technologies.
Today, we focus specifically on Virtual Production, ICVFX (In-Camera Visual Effects; a method where visual effects are captured directly in-camera on set), volumetric filming, and AI-supported workflows in all production phases. State-of-the-art technologies and traditional craftsmanship go hand in hand here. In the workshops of our Art Department, models are created using robotics and 3D printing, which are then refined by sculptors and painters. The integration of artificial intelligence is increasingly altering all production workflows—from planning to logistics. This innovative approach is particularly valued by our international partners, who expect the highest technical standards.
MTH Potsdam:
AI is increasingly being understood as a creative tool. How do you assess the potential of AI to support creative processes in film production, and what role could Babelsberg play as a pioneer for ‘Creative AI’ at this location?
Jörg Bachmaier:
I see enormous potential in artificial intelligence as a creative tool in film production—but at the same time, I see the responsibility to design its use in an ethical and legally sound manner. AI opens up new forms of creativity, efficiency, and collaboration, yet raises questions regarding copyright, data integrity, and artistic authenticity. Our approach in Babelsberg is therefore a conscious, hybrid one: We combine real actors, set construction, and traditional production technologies with virtual worlds, motion-capture technology, and AI-supported tools to generate maximum credibility and emotional depth. At the same time, we want to offer a home to the “native AI filmmakers” of tomorrow—those creatives who work with AI as a natural part of their artistic process. It is our goal to establish Babelsberg as a leading innovation centre for creative and responsible AI applications, thereby setting new standards for the future of filmmaking.
MTH Potsdam:
What significance does close cooperation with the local media and technology community in Potsdam have for your strategic direction? And to what extent do collaborations with the local MediaTech community and innovative start-ups contribute to the technological and creative development of Studio Babelsberg?
Jörg Bachmaier:
In the media city of Babelsberg, we work closely with leading research institutions, Oscar-winning teams, modern post-production companies, and specialised service partners. The players at this location therefore significantly help to shape film and streaming productions. The constant transfer of knowledge between international filmmakers and local creatives and service providers strengthens the competence of the MediaTech community.
The MediaTech Hub Conference, which we are pleased to host on our studio grounds, also promotes exchange and networking between local and international experts from a wide variety of fields. Lectures, panels, and workshops on AI and new technologies demonstrate the innovative power of the location. Together with the community, we want to drive Babelsberg forward as an engine of innovation.
MTH Potsdam:
Where do you see the greatest potential to further strengthen the Babelsberg location as a technology hub and incubator—in order to attract new talent, creative ideas, and future-oriented productions?
Jörg Bachmaier:
Babelsberg should act as an open ecosystem that brings together producers, creative talent, research institutions, and international partners, thus further strengthening its position as a leading location for the future of filmmaking and storytelling. When research, start-ups, and film production come together even more strongly in Babelsberg, a creative ecosystem emerges that not only enables innovations but accelerates them. Through joint projects—for example in the areas of Virtual Production, artificial intelligence, or sustainable studio technologies—we create an environment that attracts new talent and creative ideas and is becoming increasingly attractive to other technology players as well. Our vision is to develop Babelsberg into a world-leading technology hub for film and media production.
MTH Potsdam:
Recently, Germany has lost some of its appeal as a production location. Often, film and series productions have been relocated to neighbouring countries, for example to Poland, Hungary, Spain, and so on. This has also had an impact on Brandenburg and Potsdam. Through what measures could Germany, as well as Brandenburg and the film city of Potsdam, regain attractiveness for national and international productions?
Jörg Bachmaier:
International competition for film and series productions is more intense than ever and is largely decided by production incentives. Countries like Poland, Hungary, or Spain have invested specifically in their film funding in recent years and attracted productions with attractive framework conditions. Although Germany has caught up somewhat this year with the increase in funding to 30 per cent, it remains heavily dependent on the reliable design and rapid implementation of the planned measures. Without permanent planning security, international productions will go where conditions are more calculable.
However, we are working tirelessly to further improve production conditions at the location—and thus secure Babelsberg’s competitiveness in the international environment for the long term. Studio Babelsberg invests continuously in infrastructure, new technologies, and the training of skilled professionals.
MTH Potsdam:
If you look five years ahead: Where do you see Studio Babelsberg—technologically, creatively, and economically?
Jörg Bachmaier:
In five years, the use of innovative technologies at the Babelsberg location will be even more noticeably palpable. Virtual Production will belong to the production standard; AI-based methods and workflows will be firmly anchored in the everyday life of film and series productions. Studio Babelsberg will further expand its position as a modern production site—not only for films and series but also for new forms of audiovisual, creative storytelling. In my vision, Studio Babelsberg is Germany’s leading location for film and media production—from cinema to TV to streaming—as part of an innovation hub that sets global standards technologically, creatively, and economically.
MTH Potsdam: Mr Bachmaier, thank you very much for the interview!
