Last week US-cartoonist Stephen Hillenburg died at the age of 57 because of ALS. He was the founder of the famous cartoon series “SpongeBob Squarepants”. The studied marine biologist created with his stories about the little, yellow sponge who is living his dream as a fry cook in Bikini Bottom, an imaginative waterworld, that not only excited the youngest ones but also grown-ups because of its sense of humor.

Hillenburg was also a welcome guest at Festival of Animated Film Stuttgart. Already in 1994, he presented his film “Wormholes” and won the award for best student film in the category Young Animation. Later in 2009 he returned as acclaimed director and assumed the jury chairmanship. Furthermore he was interested in regional culture: for research purposes the ITFS organized a tour to the nearby Black Forest for him. In April this year Hillenburg was awarded with a special Emmy for his achievements in the cartoon- and animation world.

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