Creative Internship in Berlin with ABI

Hello!! I am Giovanni. After earning a bachelor degree in Engineering of Cinema and Media Communication at the Politecnico of Turin, I decided to have an abroad experience. I wanted to start an internship in the entertainment field and thanks to the ArtBound Initiative I had the possibility to do it in Berlin. So, in the Fall of 2024, I worked for a company called Film Base Berlin. It was one of the most incredible experiences in my life for different reasons. Thanks to the internship, I had the opportunity to work on a big movie set for the first time and it was really like a dream. After the ending of the shooting of the movie, I worked in the office of the company for the rest of my Internship. I had various tasks. My boss was starting the pre-production of a series. This part of the internship was really interesting because I learned how producers manage budgets for movies and series and how a project like this becomes reality starting from the concept.
As I said before, all this happened in Berlin and the only thing that I can say about this city is that it has helped me to enjoy what I was doing even more. The people I met, strangers at the beginning and friends now, created a perfect environment to live in the city in the best way possible. I’m going to leave Berlin with a lot of memories and with the awareness of being changed.

Hi, I'm Sol and I studied Animation at Swinburne. I loved interning at The Mill in Berlin. Escaping the Australian summer to experience real winter with snow was so worth it. Though the cold was unbearable sometimes too... Without ABI equipping me for work beforehand I would never be prepared for real work. From coaching tailored for me specifically, giving me advice on how to improve my portfolio and CV, how to prepare for the interview, how to set up future goals, etc. The only thing that was a negative was, this was done while I was studying full time at uni, so handling both at the same time was a bit hard. It is a long process and there is time pressure to get things done. But all the preparation landed me an internship with The Mill in Berlin. Interning with them was awesome, their team is so nice and they made me feel included and part of the team. I got to work on so many projects and also do a lot of different things, from motion design, concept art, graphic design, presentation decks, R&D and more!
Berlin has really good food around! And groceries are very cheap too! The accommodation was a bit expensive, but it was nice to have Berlin Central Station so close by! Berlin's public transport is soooo good, I could get to work in 30 minutes! The art scene is so good too, I only went to Museum Island, but that was enough for me! My favourite museum amongst them was definitely Alte Nationalagalerie. If you're into paintings, this one is for you too! I was able to make some friends in my time in Berlin too, not only cause I went to Chinese church and they made me feel welcome, but our Aussie Crew (all through ABI) also hangout pretty often. We went to Sanssouci Palace with ABI! It was awesome! I wish I had more time or spared more time for traveling around Germany or Europe, but I'm already satisfied with all I've seen, also definitely want to go back to Berlin!
Good luck to anyone going overseas and have a blast!

I was fully supported in the run up to my internship by Laura, Nicole, Shaunda, Ginda and Zulfa. Their combined knowledge and support ensured I was fully prepped with a strong resume, online presence and portfolio, and within the interview with my potential placement! Thank you ABI!

Amazing support, having the ABI team walk me through the bureaucracy that comes with living internationally has been so beneficial, in addition to the career coaching. Having an industry professional review your CV and portfolio have been invaluable, and the program as a whole has really allowed me to kickstart my career.

I have come out of this experience with the confidence of knowing what I want out of my work, and integral networks in a country I have previously made plans to work in. I will be returning to Berlin to work, and I already have a head start.

ABI has made my dream of working abroad so easy! The studios and companies they are connected with are also great. They tailor your skills and interests with the perfect studio and allowed me to have a great learning experience. You also get to connect with others from the ABI community so you don't feel so lonely in a new city and it's a great way to make new friends within your field. The experience has helped me get into my dream college for my post graduate studies. If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of going abroad, I highly recommend ABI.

I never thought I'd get to go to Europe, especially to work in the field that interests me and in some way, ABI made it so easy. Ginda and Laura champion you to be your best self and coach you with their knowledge of what companies want, in order to present yourself in interviews that under normal circumstances would be near-impossible to get. You have to work hard at it, but they accompany you and set you up for success, even though once in the internship it's up to you and your determination to do well! I kinda wish I could do it all over again, because it was that amazing.

ArtBound Initiative was the best experience I've ever had. They made the process seamless and prepared me for multiple aspects of the art industry, allowing for the most growth possible in the amount of time we shared. Connections are important in this industry and even though you'll be making plenty during your internship, you gain a network with ArtBound alone. Being able to talk with anyone who has participated in the program and staying connected with news and events, it feels more like a supportive and like-minded community than anything else.

I'm really grateful because taking part in ABI gave me the nudge I'd always needed to finally move abroad and start my life in a new country. I will always cherish the program for that. Laura is a real powerhouse and any conversation with her feels deeply empowering. Ginda is also very responsive, supportive and overall helpful.

I never felt alone, I do still sense the presence of the ABI network around me and I will never stop thanking all the members of the staff for their outstanding patience and support.

My internship was very intense! I had the opportunity to meet and work with a wide range of artists as well as the honour to hear their insights on their work, I helped set up and promote different exhibitions, took part in studio visits and even had a pretty fun work trip to Ansbach.

You have to put in the work if you want to have an unforgettable, long lasting experience. What's certain is ABI really gives you all the tools and feedback you need to succeed.