Recently, the International Institute of Film Science and Art (hereafter referred to as "the Institute") is delighted to announce that the renowned artist and academic, Mr. Max Hattler, has been officially elected as a FELLOW of the Institute. This honor is not only a high recognition of his years of dedication in the field of film art and academia but also highlights the unique energy he has injected into the global development of animation and audiovisual art through cross-media practice. Especially on the international film festival stage, Max Hattler’s works have long been synonymous with "innovation" and "depth," continuously pushing the boundaries of abstract animation and experimental moving images.

When Max Hattler is mentioned, those familiar with the international art circle will first associate him with the distinct "cross-boundary gene" in his works: centered on animation, integrated with video installations and audiovisual performances, he explores the in-depth relationships between aesthetics and politics, precision and improvisation amid the collision of abstraction and figuration, and the resonance of sound and image. The maturity of this artistic expression is inseparable from his solid academic foundation — from a Master’s degree in Animation at the Royal College of Art (UK) to a Professional Doctorate in Fine Art at the University of East London (UK), and now serving as an Associate Professor at the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong. The parallel development of academia and practice endows his works with both a rigorous ideological core and a visually compelling power that touches people’s hearts.

However, what truly makes Max Hattler stand out in the global art community is his outstanding achievements in the field of international film festivals. Since 2002, his works have been sweeping awards at major film festivals, accumulating over 60 international honors, with footprints spanning top film festivals across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. He has truly become a "regular at film festivals," driving the expansion of the boundaries of abstract animation and experimental moving images.

In Europe, his works are favorites at authoritative animation events: Animafest Zagreb (Croatia), Dresden International Short Film Festival (Germany), Fest Anča (Slovakia), Monstra Festival (Lisbon, Portugal), and other festivals have all awarded him important prizes. Among them, the 2017 Visual Music Award (Gelnhausen, Germany) and the 2013 honors at the Punto y Raya Festival (ZKM Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe, Germany) are great affirmations of his exploration in abstract animation.

In Asia, his creations have also gained profound recognition: Indie-Anifest (Seoul, South Korea), Tehran International Animation Festival (Iran), Red Bird Student Film Festival (HKUST, Hong Kong, China), 56 Moon Animation Festival (Chengdu, China), and other events have all showcased his works. In 2007, he even won the "Prize-of-Effort" at the TBS DigiCon6 Asia Awards (Hong Kong, China), making him one of the early artists who integrated into the Asian animation context from a Western perspective.

In the Americas, his influence is equally remarkable: the SUPERNOVA Outdoor Digital Animation Festival (Denver, USA) awarded him the highest honor, the "Grand Prize Award"; the Marin Film Festival (California, USA) presented him with the Jury Award; and the International Visual Communication Association (FIAP, Miami) even awarded him both Silver and Bronze Awards at once. Behind these honors lies the shared recognition of the universal artistic value in his works by judges and audiences from different cultural backgrounds.

What is even more noteworthy is that Max Hattler’s connection with film festivals goes far beyond the identity of a "participant." Since 2008, he has served as a juror for more than 30 international film festivals, including the SUPERNOVA Outdoor Digital Animation Festival (Denver, USA), the 56 Moon Animation Festival (Chengdu, China), and the Visual Music Award (Gelnhausen, Germany). With his professional perspective, he guides young creators and injects his understanding of animation art into the ecological development of film festivals.

At the same time, retrospectives of his personal works have become "highlight sections" of film festivals: in 2015, the Dresden International Short Film Festival (Germany) specially held a retrospective for him; in 2017, Ars Electronica (Linz, Austria) presented his creative journey under the title "InPersona: Max Hattler"; in 2013, international platforms such as Expo 2017 (Astana, Kazakhstan) and Nozstock Festival (UK) also sorted out his artistic career through retrospectives. To date, his works have been screened at more than 1,000 film and media art festivals worldwide, and each presentation has become an opportunity for the audience to engage in a dialogue with abstract animation.

Max Hattler’s election as a FELLOW of the International Institute of Film Science and Art is not only a summary of his past achievements but also an expectation for his future creations. The Institute has always been committed to promoting the integration and innovation of film art and science. Max Hattler’s practice, which is based on academia and takes film festivals as a bridge to promote abstract animation from "niche exploration" to "international consensus," is highly consistent with the Institute’s philosophy.

In the future, we look forward to seeing Max Hattler continue to explore more possibilities on the film festival stage in his capacity as a FELLOW — whether breaking media boundaries with his works or empowering new talents in the roles of juror and mentor. We believe that this cross-media art maestro will continue to contribute to the diversified development of global film art.

Congratulations to Max Hattler once again! May his creative journey always shine with the light of breakthrough and passion.