Michael Wende

Prof. Michael Wende is a Professor at the University of Music Karlsruhe, affiliated with the Institute of Music Journalism, Radio, TV, and Internet. He is a documentary filmmaker, author, and motion designer known for blending animation with documentary formats. Born in 1982, his career includes roles as a video journalist for Bavarian Broadcasting's On3 Südwild program and director at AVE publishing (Holtzbrinck Group), producing works for institutions like the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Bavarian Broadcasting. Since 2015, he co-leads Wendevarga, a production company with his wife Andreea, creating documentaries and animations for German broadcasters. His work has earned accolades, including the 2016 Grimme Award.

Research & Production Focus: Multimedia storytelling, animation techniques in documentaries, music journalism, and cross-platform media projects. Notable works include The Baton (international prizes), 60 Minutes of Freedom, Great Opera: Verdi, and the 3sat series Art and Crime.

Awards:

• Grimme Award (2016)

Advising & Collaborations: No formal advisees listed. Collaborates with broadcasters and production companies nationwide through his company Wendevarga.

Labs/Teams: Leads Wendevarga, specializing in documentary and animation production, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to music and cultural narratives.