21 May 2025  Where Innovation Meets EducationThe Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (FH Salzburg) is known for its practice-oriented academic programs and strong research focus. Among its six departments, the Department of Creative Technologies stands out for combining design, media, and technology into interdisciplinary study programs such as MultiMediaArt, MultiMediaTechnology, and Realtime Art & Visual Effects. Each year, students demonstrate their innovative potential at the Creativity Rules Festival, an event that transforms the town of Hallein into a hub of creative expression.From May 28 to 31, 2025, the 13th edition of the festival will showcase around 80 graduation projects in film, music, interactive media, and design. Admission to all events is free. World Premiere in Osaka: Animated Films for EXPO 2025A special highlight of the 2025 edition is the international premiere of two animated films on May 26 in Osaka, Japan. These short films, created in close collaboration with the Mozarteum University, will be presented during concerts by the Mozarteum Orchestra as part of the EXPO 2025 world exhibition.Both films spotlight Mozart's original violin and merge classical music heritage with state-of-the-art digital animation. Every aspect—script, animation, compositing, and sound design—was handled by students under professional production conditions, exemplifying the educational strength of FH Salzburg's Creative Technologies department. The Creativity Rules festival website on creativity-rules.at offers a glimpse into numerous student projects under this year's theme 'Reshape The Narrative', including The USB Paradox (video on YouTube)—a fictional commercial that contrasts old and new technology through a dramatic, humorous narrative. In the first scenes, a space crew faces a critical situation: an outdated USB stick is compromised by external hacking, leading to the crash of their spaceship. In stark contrast, the final scenes shift to a calm and orderly fashion designer's studio, where the newest generation of USB technology is used seamlessly—reliable and problem-free. While many projects are already showcased online, the two animated films premiering in Osaka have not yet been released on the website, adding to the anticipation ahead of their official screening in Hallein. Festival Highlights and Travel TipThe main film screening takes place on May 29 (14:00–20:00) at the Stadtkino Hallein. It includes not only commercials and shorts, but also the two animated EXPO films after their world debut in Japan. That evening, the Stadtkino also hosts a screening of "Broke. Alone. A Kinky Love Story" by Salzburg graduate and Berlin-based director Anna Unterweger, followed by a Q&A session.The exhibition of projects runs daily at the Alte Saline from May 28 to 31. Talks by industry professionals, such as ADC chairman Burkhard Müller and digital artists Flavia Mazzanti and Manuel Bonell, provide additional inspiration. On May 30, the Creativ Club Austria (CCA) will present award-winning work from Salzburg as part of its Venus Roadshow. Travel Tip: Hallein is an easy and short trip from Vienna. The train ride takes only about three hours and 15 to 30 minutes. With its diverse program, the Creativity Rules festival promises an inspiring and accessible cultural experience for anyone interested in design, film, and forward-looking technologies. Image: The image shows the campaign visual for the 13th Creativity Rules Festival, taking place from May 28 to 31, 2025, in Hallein, Austria. The event is promoted as a hotspot for creative visions, highlighting student work from the Department of Creative Technologies at FH Salzburg. There will be four days of exhibitions and screenings at the Alte Saline and Stadtkino Hallein, featuring innovative projects in design, film, music, art, and interactive media. These projects will include animated films created for EXPO 2025 that will premiere in Osaka on May 26. |