“Sound ready?” “Ready.” “Camera?” “Ready.” “Then we’re on the air in 3… 2… 1…” For three decades now, moments like these have been part of everyday college life for generations of students in Ilmenau. To mark the 30th anniversary of iSTUFF—Ilmenau’s student-run television station for students—we’re taking a look behind the scenes.
What began in late 1996 as a purely practical project for media technology students at the TU Ilmenau quickly developed into one of the university’s most influential student media projects: Ilmenau Student Television, or iSTUFF for short. In its anniversary year of 2026, there will be two reasons to celebrate: 30 years of iSTUFF and 20 years as a division of the Research Association for Electronic Media (FeM e.V.).
The early days of iSTUFF coincided with a time when the Technical University of Ilmenau was setting new standards in media education with the “Ilmenau Model.” Building on the 1993 pilot program “Electronic Media Technology,” three media degree programs were launched, combining technical, economic, and communication science content with hands-on training. In this environment, iSTUFF evolved into a place where students could directly apply their knowledge to their own projects, exchange ideas with like-minded peers, and grow together.
From the lecture hall straight to the studio
Shortly after its founding, it became clear that interest extended far beyond the boundaries of media studies programs. What began as a hands-on project in media technology quickly became a gathering place for students from a wide variety of disciplines. While students attended lectures during the day, the studio came alive in the evenings as they produced their first reports, hosted shows, and put together broadcasts. For many, this was their first opportunity to learn how to operate a camera, mix audio, or organize a live broadcast. It was precisely this hands-on approach that made iSTUFF an integral part of Ilmenau’s media landscape from the very beginning.
On April 15, 1997, the Forschungsgemeinschaft elektronische Medien e.V. (Research Association for Electronic Media) also officially began its work. In the years that followed, the association would become a central platform for student media projects—and a home for iSTUFF.
“As a student association at the TU Ilmenau, we have been creating a framework where theory and practice come together for many years,” says Finn Breiter, a media engineering student and vice chair of FeM:
Students from all disciplines can get involved in our projects, try out new technologies, and bring their own ideas to life. In doing so, we foster not only technical skills but also creative work and team spirit.
Seeing how students from all disciplines come together here, grow as a team, and watch a crazy idea suddenly turn into a real large-scale project is simply wonderful every single time.
iSTUFF and FeM were already working closely together during the 2003 International Student Week Ilmenau (ISWI). As one of the largest student-organized international festivals in Germany, ISWI is still accompanied today by the special program “ISWIsion.” This collaboration demonstrates the potential of joint student media production. In 2006, iSTUFF finally became an official division of FeM e.V.
Technical Know-How and a Spirit of Experimentation
But when people think of iSTUFF, they don’t just think of traditional studio broadcasts. Over the years, the association has continually evolved and taken on projects that went far beyond ordinary college television.
A special milestone followed in 2010: After extensive preparation, experimental television broadcasts via DVB-T began from the Vogelherd, fueled by technical expertise, a spirit of experimentation, and countless hours of volunteer student work. Stefan Dornheim recalls that time:
The project itself was always a lot of fun—with all its challenges, from planning and financing to technical implementation. I especially remember the installations of the various antennas to distribute our signal in Ilmenau, or later, transmitting it via microwave link from the L-Dach to the transmitter on the Vogelherd.
Media practice with the “Betsy” Broadcast Truck
Just as legendary to this day is “Betsy”—the club’s very own broadcast van. Betsy isn’t just a means of transportation; it’s also essential for all live productions that take place outside the studio. While the former renovation team has already moved on to careers in the professional and media worlds, new projects continue to be undertaken on Betsy. Computer science student Timo Kettenbach, who helped with the most recent renovation, recalls:
Driving our broadcast van to events or making modifications to it is always a great and unique challenge. The major renovation two years ago, in particular, was an exciting experience, especially because we were able to plan and carry out everything ourselves.
Since then, the vehicle has supported outdoor productions, live broadcasts, and a wide variety of events, including Open Flair, a multi-day music festival in the Hessian town of Eschwege. There, the FeM team is responsible for operating the LED screen at the lake stage, bringing the festival action right up close to the visitors. For many members, “Betsy” symbolizes what has defined iSTUFF for decades: experimenting, finding solutions together, and taking joy in creating—all while gaining a wealth of hands-on experience.
From TV Studio to Movie Set
With the “Ilmpressions” project in 2017, increasingly creative student short films and film productions took center stage. Just in time for the anniversary year, the crew is already working on their next production. This year, the Ilmpressions leadership team includes, among others, active iSTUFF members who have been producing short films together since 2024 under the project name “InDieStudios.” Through projects like the short film “Screenmaxxing,” they gained valuable experience in the development, production, and post-production of their own films.
Now it’s time to take the next step: their first feature-length crime thriller. To bring this ambitious project to life, the team is currently raising the necessary funds through platforms like StartNext and other funding opportunities.
Today, 34 active members are passionately shaping campus life—whether through the “InDieStudios” short film production or the “CampusBlick” news format. New students are joining all the time. Many former active members now work in the media industry, at television stations, production companies, or in the events sector. Nevertheless, many are drawn back to Ilmenau time and again.
On October 2 and 3, 2026, iSTUFF will celebrate its 30th anniversary together with alumni and current members. Immediately prior to this, the Alumni Symposium on Media Technology and Media Engineering will also take place, so numerous alumni will spend several days on campus.
The first day of the event will be all about reunions: with a joint celebration in the Festhalle, conversations about past productions, and a long afterparty in the student clubs.
Special episode of the new late-night show featuring former iSTUFF members
On the second day, there will be campus and studio tours, as well as the highlight: a special edition of the “TUNightShow,” iSTUFF’s new late-night show. Normally, the host features different guests to shed light on student life and everyday campus life. For the anniversary, however, the show will become a cross-generational collaborative project: Current students and alumni will produce the show together live from the university’s media lab, which—with state-of-the-art studio technology, creative teaching, and innovative research—has shaped interdisciplinary, research-based, and practice-oriented learning at TU Ilmenau for 25 years.
Perhaps that’s exactly what makes iSTUFF so special: technology is constantly changing.
From the first analog devices through digitization to the latest production standards in Full HD. What has remained, however, is the idea behind it all: creating media together, learning from one another, and simply giving things a try. iSTUFF member Marie König, a student of Applied Communication and Media Studies:
What began back then as a vision has become a defining part of life for many of us today. For generations, “student television” has been—and continues to be—a combination of close friendships and a first stepping stone into the professional world.
Congratulations, iSTUFF!
Click here to register for the big anniversary weekend on October 2 and 3
