About
Born and raised in China, Baoying Bilgeri has lived and worked in Germany for many years. As an animation director and animator, she tells deeply personal stories inspired by her own experiences and childhood memories. With a background in painting and illustration, her visual style has a significant influence on the design of her films. Additionally, she works in interactive media and games, contributing both as an animator and in the field of dramaturgy. From 2016 to 2017, she taught at the University of Kassel. Since 2017, she has been working as an academic assistant in the Animation department at the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, where she teaches courses in 2D animation and supervises student projects.
Films
Bambustempel Straße
A production of Baoying Bilgeri und Lukas Thiele GbR Bao and Lili live at Bamboo Temple Street, a street that marks the border between the houses of wealthy upperclass people and the barracks of poor migrant workers. Despite this social inequality the two girls develop a clandestine and silent friendship. One day Bao decides to show Lili her friendship and leaves her parents house to find her friend. The film is based on childhood memories of director Baoying Bilgeri.
Der Henker
A little boy wants to become an executer, just like his father. To him, his father's axe is a symbol of justice. When the son gets older, he takes on his father´s profession. However, at his first day of work, he finds out that his father is corrupt and greedy. The reality of his new job forms a strong contrast to his ideals. Being dissapointed and surprised by this fact the son has to take a decision. On the one side, there is the love for his father, on the other there is his pursuit of justice...
Die Wahrheitsquizshow
Why became the famous athelete Lan Lan suddenly sick. A well known TV- Show trys to find out the truth. Do you want to know the truth? Be there tonight on CTV2:" The Truth- Quizshow"
No Fish
A story about a worm who refuses to accept his fate.
Games
In addition to her work in artistic short films, Baoying Bilgeri is also active in the games industry. For over 15 years, she has contributed her expertise to both 2D and 3D productions and has worked on a wide range of projects. Alongside her role as an animator, she has increasingly taken on dramaturgical responsibilities in game development. Her focus is particularly on exploring and crafting non-linear storytelling to create immersive and interactive player experiences. Below are some projects where she was responsible for animation.
About Love, Hate and the Other Ones
A 2D puzzle platformer released on Steam and also for iOS. The game has received multiple awards, including the German Computer Games Award.
On Rusty Trails
A 2.5D platformer where all characters and environments were created and animated in 3D. The game is available on Steam for PC, Mac, and Linux, as well as for the Nintendo Switch in the Nintendo Store. It was nominated in three categories for the German Computer Game Award and won the Animated Games Award for Best Animation in a Game at the ITFS in Stuttgart.
Blown Away
A 2D autorunner for mobile devices. The animation combines elements of cutout animation and frame-by-frame animation. The game is available for both Android and iOS.
About Love, Hate and the Other Ones 2
A puzzle platformer that features a mix of 3D and 2D elements. The game has been released on Steam and in the App Store for mobile devices. It was nominated for Best German Mobile Game at the German Computer Game Award.
Other Works
Indie Arena Booth Keyartanimation
Since 2017, the Indie Arena Booth has been a regular feature at Gamescom. Each year, Baoying collaborates with members of Black Pants Studio to animate the constantly evolving key art. Over time, this has resulted in a large collection of animated illustrations..
Indie Arena Booth Online Event
When Gamescom had to be canceled as an on-site event due to the pandemic, a concept for a digital event was developed in collaboration with the company Supercrowd. Visitors could interact online, visit virtual booths, and play games together. This exciting project, which won the jury prize at the German Computer Game Awards, has continued to evolve over the years. Baoying played a central role in animating the world and the digital avatars.
Dreamhack- Beyond
Dreamhack is a worldwide event focused on multiplayer games. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the event couldn't take place in its usual physical format. As a result, the concept of a digital event was expanded and refined, with Baoying taking a leading role once again in the animation department.
Muslim Ban 2
A satirical political game addressing Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban. Here, Baoying showcased her animation skills in the realm of pixel art.
Animated Manuscript
The Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum in Cologne wanted to bring an old Thai manuscript to life. The manuscript is so fragile that each page turn could potentially damage it. Still, the museum wanted to find a way to showcase the illustrations on every page to its visitors. This led to the idea of animating it, page by page.
Storyboards & Sketches
The short film "Grandpa Günther" is one of the projects currently in production. Below are some mood images and excerpts from the storyboard.
Awards (Selection)
- German Computer Games Award – Special Jury Prize (2021)
- Heart of Gaming Award, Gamescom (2020)
- Animated Games Award, ITFS Stuttgart (2017)
- Audience Award, Shorts at Moonlight Open Air, Frankfurt (2016)
- Honorable Mention for Soundtrack, Peer Raben Award, Soundtrack Cologne (2015)
- FBW Seal of Excellence, Short Film of the Month (2015)
- Silver Pädi Award, Munich – Pedagogical Interactive Award (2013)
- Hessian Film and Cinema Award, Best Short Film (2012)
- Best Newcomer Concept, German Computer Game Award (2012)
- FBW Seal of Excellence, Short Film of the Month (2009)
- FBW Seal of Excellence (2011)
- BDFA National Young Film Competition, Bronze (2007)
- GoEast Film Festival, Wiesbaden (2007)
Festivals (Selection)
- 30th Leeds International Filmfestival. England
- 17th International Animated Film Festival Stuttgart (ITFS)
- 13th International Animation Festival, Hiroshima, Japan
- Annecy International Animation Film Festival, France(2016)
- Annecy International Animation Film Festival, France(2009)
- Fantoche Short Film Festival, Switzerland
- Anima Mundi, Brazil
- Animafest Zagreb, Croatia
- 62nd Berlinale (Hessen Talents)
- Exground Filmfest, Wiesbaden (2006)
- 13th Regensburg Short Film Week (2006)
- 23rd Kassel Documentary Festival (2006)
- 36th International Student Film Festival "Sehsüchte" (2007)
- 7th Festival of Central and Eastern European Films (2007)
- Fish07 Festival, Stadt Hafen (2007)
- 12th International Animated Film Weekend, Wiesbaden
- 12th Festival of Central and Eastern European Films
- REX Film Festival, Stockholm, Sweden
- KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival, Netherlands
- Animateka International Animated Film Festival(2016), Slovenia
- Taichung International Animation Festival, Taiwan
Clients and Partners
Volkswagen, Black Pants Studio GmbH, Super Crowd, Well Being, Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Schlecki Silberstein, Scholz & Friends, XKopp, Indie Arena Booth, Turbokultur GmbH, Dreamhack, Browser Balett, SWR, Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum, Amazon, Magnetfilm, Future Shorts England, Element-I-Bildungsstiftung
Contact
mail: info@baobilgeri.de