An Unwound Clockwork tells the story of a civilization out of time:

Humans are at the height of their work. Their wealth and economy depend on the endless consumption of a miraculous ore to keep the machines running. The physical work is done by robots, the creation, who dig the material from mines deep below the city. When one of the robots discovers a glowing crystal, he is spellbound by its radiant beauty. Emotions, that showing a malfunction he developed causing him to gain consciousness of beauty amidst darkness, and the worlds rythm breaks its stride...

Meanwhile, the opposing protagonist, a human clerk, receives a machine report including concerning forecasts about the future of his world. But he finds himself unable to face this fate, directing his consciousness back to productivity. As the story unfolds, the destinies of the two opposing protagonists get inextricably linked to each other.

It's a story about ambition and greed, awareness and ignorance, feeling and function and the consequences of one's own actions.

Characters & Props

The Project

An unwound clockwork is a stopmotion-animation film in a steampunk aesthetic of about 30 minutes length.

It was started back in 2013 by Valentin Felder and a friend when they were both still at school and continued part-time throughout the years.

The progress of the work was continuously documented in various behind the scene images and videos to keep supporters updated. The Project was furthermore presented at several steampunk festivals where it grew a larger audience.

Valentin, the main creator of the film now tries to focus on this project as a main job, to bring it to the finish line, while being a part-time-student

Behind the Scenes


When will it be finished?

We plan to complete it within 3 years, this would be the best case scenario. But considering it took 8 years to shoot two thirds of the movie, it might take longer, depending on additional funding.

How long will the movie be?

Round about 30 minutes.

What languages is it going to be in?

The original language is German, but it will be translated to English. You can find the project under the german Title "Das Getriebe im Sand" as well here:

How many people are working on it?

The main work and responsibility lays in the hands of Valentin Felder. But a team of Supporters is contributing their various unique skills and expertise to enrich the project.

Can I buy merchandise?

Yes. You can find merchandise in the shop of our German webpage:

What is your background?

The filmmakings skills are self-taught, including photography, lighting, set and characterdesign and manufacturing, rigging, stopmotion-animation, and compositing. He is also a computer science student part time.

What are the rewards for supporting?

All donators will be named in the credits of the final film. Paypal-supporters receive a greeting-postcard, Patreon-supporters can choose between special awards and merchandise like miniature probs, additional behind the scenes material and more.

Are there other ways to support the Project?

Besides material support, sharing the project and following the process is by itself already extremely important and keeps the motivation going throughout all the years. We are also open for sponsorings of phsysical goods like equipment, tools and other building materials.

Why don't you do crowdfunding?

The project was already kicked off with a small crowdfunding on in 2013 which payed for basic technical equipment. Over time it became visible, that the project relies on longterm processes rather than shortterm goals. Financing through concepts like Patreon fits more to the projects development itself, where the making of is as important as the finished product and can support the creator in the long run.

How was the project financed till now?

Before 2021, the project could mostly be self funded, as the creator was able to work on it part time to his university studies.

Do you do commissions?

Yes, as long as separate commissions don't interfere with work on the film. Valentin can be contacted for commissioned work for custom stopmotion-armatures and other miniature mechanisms like props or jewelry.



Director, Producer, Script, Set- and Character Design, Animator, and Compositing: Valentin Felder

Second Producer: Johann Frank

Script, Concept Art, Animator: Josua Bauer

Additional Animator: Albert Radl

Lead Composer: Michael Klubertanz

Set Painting, additional Prop Design, Counselor: Laura Rohrbeck

Additional Composer, Foley, Miniatures: Maurice Trentzsch

Special Sound Artist: Caspar Coppelius

Graphic Design & Illustration: Tobias Lammers

Additional VFX Artist: Torben Trommer

Puppetmaker: Ulrich Jakob

Costume Tailors: Zoe and Zaelea Nolte, Liane Pförtner

Guest Animator: Ed Jackson

Web Design: Markus Forster


Alex Peh, Angelika Dufft, Anja Bagus, Beat Felder, Christopher Borecky, Clara, Cora Blümm, Daniel Danzer, Daniel Frysinger, Dietmar Haucke, Eric Starmer, Falk Tschirschnitz, Franzi Böhm, Gerd Schelbert, Greg Olijnyk, Heiko Willer, Hermann Ziege, James Carson, Jerom Meier, Joes Verweyen, John Fitzsimons, John Webb, Jonas, Katja Jordan, Kevin J-Side, Knut, Lars Tunçay, Lax Lakes, Lili Design, Lutz Apelt, Malte Girnus, Markus, Martin Melzer, Michelle Lopardi, Milan Volkmar, Miss Chivious, Oliver Stadler, Phil Caithness, Philipp Dostal, Rahel, Rüdiger Gies, Sakkiko, Schoch Anita, Scott Ferril, Silke, Solluh, Thomas Freitag, Thomas & Jenni Wendel, tillofix, Vanessa Schwedat, Yvonne Mosel.


Adam Brown, Alexandra Polochowitz, Alfons Rode, Andre Collier, Anja Koebel, Anna Ziolkowski, Anne Sommer, Beat Felder, Beate Fremdling, Bernd Grüner, Bettina Kerth, Christian Dr. Müller-Osten, Christian Kahlert, Claudia Brabetz, Dagmar Wesenberg, David Molnar, Dieter Dostal, Emily Myers, Eveline Hartl, Fabian Busse, Fritz & Marion Eckert, Gerald Schröder, Germano Wallmann, Grant Pichla, Hans Burghardt, Harald Kötz, Heiko Noack, Ilka Möller & Malte Girnus, Iris Schummer, Ivan Strahinic, Jens Behn, Jochen Grün, Johanna Freese, Jörg Büttner, Kay Dombrowsky, Katharina Hullmann, Katharina Bröker, Kathrin & Karsten Bechstein, Kathy Bertrand, Katja Broeg, Katja Jordan, Klaus Stock, Laure Giacobino, Lukas Artmann, "Magic Creams" Nick Durrer, Maik Vettermann, Malte Nowatzki, Marco Wilms, Maren Fuhrmann, Maria & Dirk Marx, Maria Stammwitz, Mario Föhner, Marius Rehm, Martin Bühlmann-Waller, Martin "Sim" Welter, Matthias Knäpper, Melanie Kautzmann, Michael Corbach, Michael Gloeckner, Michael Joswig, Michael Pescht, Miriam Horst, Mitchell Manners, Nadine Reuter, Nicola Rohrbeck, Norbert Hartl, Olga Potchernina, Pascal Förtsch, Paul Caspar, Peter Lehrach, Ralf Höreth, Reinhardt Kampmann, Ronny Vogel, Sabine Schmitt, Sandra Kreutz, Sandra Walther, Sönke Schmidt, Sophie Marie Broß, Sven Winkler, Swen Jamrich, Sylvia Dreier, Thomas Kunath, Thomas Perkins, Tobias Langohr, Tom Hübner, Ursula Mintzlaff, Valber Michel Silva de Souza, Valentin Frunkte, Vanessa Thiede, Volker Weinzheimer, Waltraud Rohde, Wulf Arp, Yve Trentzsch.

Startnext 2013

Alexander Klein, Alfrida von Ehrental, André Fuhrmann, Andre Skora, Andreas, Hartmann, Anne-Katrin Pache, Armin Riedel, Babs Huber, Beat Felder, Bodo Bauer, Boris Bernhard, Cordula Hege, Daniel Danzer, Dunja Bauer, Edith Felder, Eva Jung, Gerhard Junker, Gina Bauer, Harald Mueller, Herbert Mose, Janine Hoffmann, Johann Frank, Katja Jordan, Manfred Kraut, Marco Ansing, Markus Borck, Marlon, Böttger, Michael Dietrich, Michael Kling, Mira Pepper, Philipp Dostal, Philipp Marquardt, Pritha Warnat, Rosanna Schmidt, Sabine Friedrich, Stephan Scholdra, Thomas Holzapfel, Wolfgang Weiß.

Special Thanks

Aeon Junophor, Dunja Bauer, Daniel Danzer, Elise & Dieter Dostal, Felicius Exelsberger, Ingo der Winterberger, Jacob Phillip, Jakob Bauer, Johanna Asche, Katja Jordan, Kurt & Susanna Felder, Martin "Sim" Welter, Nicola & Dirk Rohrbeck, Nicole Sippel, Regina & Dieter Rohrbeck, Robert Linke, Ute Schade.


German Webpage: