5 Takeaways from FMX Stuttgart by Sara Batista

It was fantastic to return to FMX after two years! Reconnect with old friends and colleagues and meet so many new ones. I had an absolutely wonderful time at FMX this year! It was my second time attending, but my first time as a speaker, and I must say, I felt like a princess !! 😍 I was taken care of with such kindness and attention. Everything was incredibly well-organized and thoughtful, a true VIP experience from start to finish.

This year, I had the pleasure of presenting our work on the anamorphic lens in The Witcher 4 Cinematic Reveal trailer, together with Mateusz Wójt . The warm welcome we received was honestly incredible. It was such a joy to see the interest and enthusiasm around our real-time work. A big thank you to everyone who attended our talk and those who came up to chat with us during the event! It meant a lot! ❤️

Here are five things I took away:

1. People are really craving connection

This was the biggest feeling throughout the week. Whether it was during panels, chats over coffee, or even waiting in line for the next talk, there was a real desire to genuinely connect. It wasn’t about impressing anyone, but more as “We’re all figuring this out together.”

2. Generosity was everywhere

I was truly blown away by how generous people were with their time, advice and encouragement. From students to seasoned professionals, everyone was open, warm and willing to share. No egos, no gatekeeping. Just a beautiful sense of support that made everything feel more human and hopeful.

3. The Coaches and Mentors session

This was one of the most powerful moments of FMX for me. People shared their fears of the unknown, of not being enough, of the overwhelming pace of change. And through that honesty came a shared commitment to lifting each other up, especially the next generation. It reminded me how much simply showing up and listening can mean.

Imke Fehrmann Debra Coleman PCC Yvonne Muinde Simon Devereux (He, Him) Chris Ebeling Agon Ushaku Dr. Neha Hooda Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt Matthias Buehler Johanna Manz (Lange) Kamila Szutenberg Marina Borokhova Kader Bagli Muna Fadhil Helen Hyung Choi Sinje Gebauer Christine Resch

4. Personal growth and community

Even if the future still feels uncertain, the sense of community I felt was extraordinary and that made everything feel a little more possible. Also, FMX reminded me that personal growth sometimes just means showing up. Letting the experience wash over you, being present, listening, and learning. 

5. Best advice

Finishing with one of the best pieces of advice and quotes I learned from Kader Bagli “When you're feeling scared, ask yourself - is it a tragedy or just an inconvenience?” This gem completely shifted how I’ve been thinking about fear and gave me perspective.

A huge thank you to the amazing team behind FMX - you are absolute rock stars! Thank you to my fellow Platigeans, it was a blast to attend the event with you! And lastly, thank you to everyone I had the chance and pleasure to meet, learn from, and share conversations with. You made this experience unforgettable. ❤️

Article by Sara Batista , Team and Project Manager at Platige Image

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