Two German media veterans are betting that artificial intelligence can power a new kind of European film studio.
Yoko Higuchi-Zitzmann, the former CEO of Telepool, and AI filmmaker Mark Wachholz have launched Dreamkite Studios, a Munich- and Berlin-based AI-native production company. The studio will develop premium films, high-end TV series and IP-based short-form content, combining generative AI with traditional filmmaking and employing professional directors and actors.
The company says it wants to become “one of the leading European premium film studios at the forefront of the rapidly evolving AI entertainment ecosystem, combining exceptional human storytelling, leading creative talent and a strong focus on European sovereignty and IP library.”
Higuchi-Zitzmann’s Track Record
Higuchi-Zitzmann, who serves as CEO and founder, is one of Germany’s most internationally experienced media executives. She ran Telepool when it was part of Will Smith’s Westbrook, and before that served as managing director of Matthias Schweighöfer’s Pantaleon Films and head of international acquisitions, sales and co-productions at Constantin Film.
Her resume includes the Oscar-winning “La Vie En Rose,” “Asterix at the Olympic Games,” “My Blind Date With Life” — which sold to 54 countries — and the RTL+ event series “Herzogpark.”
Wachholz, the chief creative director and co-founder, has worked as a writer for over 20 years across television, video games and three fantasy novels. In the past three years he has become a leading voice in AI filmmaking.
His 2025 AI film “The Cinema That Never Was” drew attention from filmmakers Alex Proyas and John Gaeta and won Grand Prizes at the Omni International AI Film Festival — whose jury was headed by George Miller — and the Artefact AI Film Festival, chaired by Cédric Klapisch.
At Dreamkite, Wachholz will “shape the studio’s core creative and aesthetic vision and develop ambitious original projects together with its international network of AI filmmakers and creative talent,” the company said.
The Creative Team
Dreamkite is developing projects with a network of AI filmmakers, directors and creative technologists spanning AI filmmaking, animation, directing, commercial production and creative technology.
Sylvia Nitzsche is a Berlin-based director and creative technologist specializing in AI-supported storytelling. Her work includes projects for clients such as Axel Springer and Universal Music.
Albert Bozesan is a Munich-based filmmaker, writer and former head of creative technology at Storybook Studios. His work spans bestselling audio storytelling, animation and AI-based productions, including “Space Vets” and “Tarmac.”
Eike Swoboda is a Hamburg-based director and composer who trained under Wim Wenders. His work includes the sci-fi epics “Expiration Day” and “Echo Chamber” for Jeff T. Thomas’ Los Angeles AI studio NeoCinema, plus the folk horror short “It Used to Be Different.”
Florian Meimberg is a commercials director and early pioneer of AI-driven filmmaking. After 12 years as a creative director at agencies including BBDO, he developed hybrid AI productions for major brands including Persil and Lidl.
Shamila Lengsfeld is a German-Iranian director, AI filmmaker and creative technologist. Her superheroine short film “Blake” is now being developed by Dreamkite as an original series.
The Project Slate
Dreamkite launches with several original AI-native and hybrid projects in development.
Wachholz’s “Céremony” is a “visually groundbreaking near-future conspiracy feature in a world where the suffering of children is publicly sanitized.” The story expands the universe of his 2025 short film of the same name, which was a Top 12 Finalist in the $1 million AI Film Award by 1BFS & Google Gemini.
His “The Day the World Prayed” is a high-concept global political thriller in which irrefutable proof that Jesus Christ never existed as a historical figure triggers a worldwide crisis of faith, resolved only by his supernatural return to Earth. It’s being developed as a “paradigm-breaking” limited TV show.
“Children of a Dead Star” is a Cold War sci-fi thriller in which East Germany intercepts an alien message that turns out to be a language virus capable of rewriting human thought and reality. Wachholz was born in East Germany and grew up close to the Berlin Wall; the story will “transform personal experiences into a timely reflection of today’s post-truth world.”
Lengsfeld’s “Blake” is a female-led superhero series set in a dystopian sci-fi world, combining action with a story of female and LGBTQ+ representation.
One of Dreamkite’s first major projects is a hybrid feature adaptation of a bestselling novel.
What the Founders Say
Higuchi-Zitzmann said: “Human creativity is the most valuable thing we have, and AI is a powerful new tool for outstanding storytelling. Dreamkite Studios brings together exceptional creative talent, premium IP and cutting-edge technology to build a new generation of European entertainment. We want to use this technology responsibly, strengthen European sovereignty and create stories that inspire audiences around the world.”
Wachholz added: “A new world needs new stories. We are living in a time of rapid transformation and increasing speculation — about the present, the future, what we thought was true and what we hold dear. Stories are humanity’s way of capturing reality, creating truth and generating meaning. AI technology finally allows us to become much more ambitious, independent, and bold in the worlds we create and the projects we imagine. At Dreamkite, we believe that the future of cinematic storytelling has only just begun.”
The European Focus
The company emphasizes “European sovereignty” and building an IP library in its stated goals. It is developing its slate around original IP with an international network of creative talent.
Whether audiences will embrace AI-first and hybrid productions is not yet known. Wachholz’s festival wins suggest the craft is getting serious attention from established filmmakers.
Dreamkite is launching with a clear vision and a strong slate.
Key Facts Box
- Company: Dreamkite Studios, based in Munich and Berlin
- Founders: Yoko Higuchi-Zitzmann (CEO), Mark Wachholz (chief creative director)
- Wachholz’s “The Cinema That Never Was” won Grand Prizes at the Omni International AI Film Festival and the Artefact AI Film Festival
- “Céremony” was a Top 12 Finalist in the $1 million AI Film Award by 1BFS & Google Gemini
- Higuchi-Zitzmann’s credits include Oscar-winning “La Vie En Rose” and “My Blind Date With Life,” sold to 54 countries
Source: variety.com
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