In a creative industry increasingly shaped by speed, scale, and digital innovation, standing out requires more than technical chops—it demands vision. That’s exactly what led Anna Handke, co-founder of Berlin-based pixies.studio, to carve out a new path.
Blending a cinematographer’s eye with a designer’s instinct and a technologist’s curiosity, she launched a studio grounded in bold aesthetics, efficient workflows, and a deep respect for the creative process.
Founded in 2010, as social media began to disrupt traditional production models, pixies.studio was ahead of the curve—tapping into emerging tools, including AI and vector databases, long before they became buzzwords. Today, the studio moves fluidly between agency collaborations, commercial content, and artistic work, crafting compelling visuals with a hybrid approach that’s both agile and intentional.
Anna shared with us her journey, the projects that pushed boundaries, and how staying human—even when working with machines—is still the secret to unforgettable storytelling.
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What inspired you to co-found pixies.studio, and what vision did you have for the company when you started?
Anna Handke: I co-founded pixies.studio to create something of my own — combining my background as a DoP and my sense of visual storytelling with a forward-thinking approach to production.
My vision was to build a company at the intersection of design, film, and technology, offering specialized expertise that enhances agency work and streamlines workflows to relevant production processes to make more room for creativity.
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Back in 2010, as social media was becoming BIG, I sensed the industry was on the verge of a transformation — one that demanded new creative perspectives.
I set out to build a network grounded in my personal values, one that also reflects my vision of aesthetics and a creative approach that stays in tune with a digital zeitgeist.
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What’s your process for curating relevant, unique, and impactful visual assets that align with a brand’s story?
Anna Handke: What truly sets us apart at pixies.studio is that we were early adopters of AI-generative and analytics-driven tools, combining creativity with a mar-tech approach. That’s why we developed our own fully managed vector database application to support and scale our workflows.
Today, we actively harness these technologies to craft innovative content solutions, blending human creativity with data precision to deliver exceptional results and operational efficiency.
We work across genres. In addition to our own artistic projects and commercial productions, a core part of our work also involves supporting agencies during campaign development and pitch phases.
We specialize in content creation using stock, gen-AI, and found footage, bringing bold ideas to life in a creative, fast, and cost-effective way.
What are some of the most memorable projects you’ve worked on?
Anna Handke: That’s a tough choice!
Two projects brought to life with Filmsupply footage that stand out for me are Visa and UBS. While both are financial service providers, they have completely different approaches and target audiences.
Initially, we created mood films for both using found footage, which resonated so well that the clients asked us to “reimagine” these films using licensable footage, which we did.
Finally, no one questioned whether these films had been shot on-set or were built with stock footage—it was the quality of the results that mattered.
Why do you recommend Filmsupply as a resource for editors, agencies, and post houses?
Anna Handke: I recommend Filmsupply for three key reasons. First and foremost, the footage quality stands out, driven by a genuinely artist-led approach. Since the contributors actively work in the industry, the footage doesn’t just look good—it feels creatively authentic.
Secondly, the constantly evolving collection keeps pace with new visual trends, ensuring fresh and relevant content at all times.
Lastly, the collaboration and communication with the Filmsupply team are exceptional. There’s always a friendly, solution-oriented vibe, making every project smoother and more enjoyable. This not only benefits us as creatives but is also a major advantage for the final client.
How do you stay inspired and motivated in your work, especially when facing creative or logistical challenges?
Anna Handke: Media production is, at its heart, a people-focused, connection-led business. What keeps us going, especially when the pressure’s on or during very last-minute changes, is putting together the right team. When the vibe’s right, that energy carries everyone through, even when things get hectic.
Working with clients across time zones definitely has its challenges, but it also keeps things fresh and pulls us out of our Berlin bubble. It broadens our perspective and adds a bit of global flavour to our day-to-day.
At the moment, one of our team members is working remotely from Japan, which has actually been a massive plus. She’s like our “special force from the time-shifted future” — helping us stay ahead, quite literally.
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How do you handle differing creative visions within a team or with clients?
Anna Handke: We always try to stay connected to the original creative spark of a campaign and the client’s core direction, keeping the compass steady when differing visions or approaches begin to pull a project in various directions. Our first priority is to truly understand the client and their world — to get a sense of who they are and what they really need.
From there, we focus on being clear and precise in our communication, making it easier for everyone involved to follow our thinking and respond to our input.
Sometimes it helps to lay out rough alternatives early on, giving agencies and clients the opportunity to compare different directions. This often creates a more balanced perspective and leads to stronger, more confident decisions on how to move forward.
