The SeM Days Collegium is an exclusive program designed for students and young professionals passionate about cinema and stop-motion animation. As part of the festival’s educational initiative, selected participants will have the chance to engage in a three-day immersive experience at the M9 – Museum of the 20th Century in Venice Mestre, from May 2-4, 2025.
The workshop will guide participants through the creative process of stop-motion animation, allowing them to experience every step — from theory to hands-on creation. The process will be divided into several phases, encouraging both structured learning and spontaneous creativity:
Phase 1: Introduction and Theoretical Overview
The workshop will begin with a brief theoretical presentation, introducing the fundamental principles of stop-motion animation. Participants will gain insight into key techniques such as frame-by-frame movement, timing, and the expressive potential of animation. This introduction will also include the screening of selected short films, offering direct examples to inspire the creative process. (Estimated duration: 1 to 1.5 hours)
Phase 2: Theme Assignment and Story Development
After the theoretical part, participants will be given a central theme, a prompt, or a simple plotline that will serve as the foundation for their story. This open structure will encourage creativity while providing a common thread to follow throughout the workshop.
Phase 3: Puppet Construction
Participants will then move on to building their own puppets. Using simple materials, they will learn basic techniques for creating characters that are both expressive and functional for animation. This phase aims to enhance their understanding of how design choices influence movement and storytelling.
Phase 4: Animation Exercises
If time allows, participants will have the chance to practice short animation exercises to become familiar with the animation table, the camera setup, and the basic workflow of frame-by-frame shooting.
Phase 5: Short Film Animation
The heart of the workshop will be the collaborative creation of a short animated film. Instead of working from a strict script, participants will be encouraged to improvise scenes directly on the animation table, allowing the characters and situations to develop organically. This playful and intuitive approach fosters creativity and problem-solving, while simulating the dynamic nature of independent animation production.
Phase 6: Finalization and Screening
In the final stage, the group will edit and review the footage. The workshop will conclude with a collective screening of the completed work, offering a moment for reflection and discussion on the creative journey.
What is SeM Days Collegium?
Participants in the SeM Days Collegium will:
Take part in a professional stop-motion workshop led by Massimo Ottoni
Gain exclusive access to festival screenings, masterclasses, and networking events
Receive an official certificate of participation
Are you not a resident or a student at a school/university in the province of Venice, Padua, or Treviso? We’ll provide accommodation for you!
Why join the Collegium?
The SeM Days Collegium is open to students, aspiring animators, and film enthusiasts eager to explore stop-motion animation and enhance their technical and artistic skills. Whether you are a beginner or have prior experience, this program provides a hands-on opportunity to develop your craft in a collaborative environment.
Who can apply?
How to apply?
Spots are limited, and the selection process consists of two stages:
March 23 – Application deadline
March 29 – Interviews with shortlisted candidates
April 4 – Announcement of the 15 selected participants
Apply now and take part in a unique stop-motion experience.
Click the bottom below to apply!
For any questions, please contact us at stopemotion@gmail.com
After graduating in Literature, Music and Entertainment at La Sapienza in Rome, he specialized in animation at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Turin with the short film "Imperium Vacui" (2014). In the following years he has held various roles in animation productions in Italy and abroad and made the short films "Lo Steinway" (2016), "Water Hunters" (2016) and "Corkscrewed" (2019).
Currently he is engaged as author and director in the TV series "Anselmo Wannabe" and the VR experience "Città Dolente", both in production.
He is co-founder of IBRIDO Studio with which he has developed projects of various kinds, focusing on writing and directing, ranging from animated drawing to c.g.i. but always keeping a special passion for stop-motion.
He currently works as a animator, director, and filmmaker and held courses and animation workshops for students of all ages.
He is widely recognized as one of Italy’s leading stop-motion artists.
The Steinway
Massimo Ottoni:
the Workshop Tutor
