Hayo Freitag (1950, Wilhelmshaven, Germany) studied Art and Philosophy in Hamburg. Hewon the Best Animation Award at Animafest Zagreb and the Best German Short Film award with his short animation "Mein Bruder" (1985). With his adaptation of "The Three Robbers", Freitag proves Tomi Ungerer’s saying: "Kids do not need children’s books, they need well narrated stories".

Selected filmography: Käpt'n Blaubär - Der Film (1999), Das Pflaumenhuhn (1997)

Awards: Grand Prix for Best Feature Animated Film (Anim'est, Bukurešt/Bucarest),  Best Feature Film Award (Animabasauri),  Second Best Feature Film Award (Chicago ICFF),  Audience Award (Annecy IAFF)

Selected festival history: Rome IFF, Hamburg IFF, Istanbul IIFF, Warsaw FF, Cinekid Amsterdam, Ghent IFF, Sprockets Toronto IFF, Montreal IFF