How two directors fought back when their film was stolen
Deutsche Welle
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Two German film students, Moritz Henneberg and Julius Drost, found their animated short film "Butty" plagiarized by an American student, Samuel Felinton, who submitted it as his own under the title "T-130" and gained recognition. Instead of pursuing legal action, the filmmakers chose a unique approach: they traveled to the U.S., embedded themselves in Felinton's life, and documented their encounter for a film titled *Der talentierte Mister F.* This story highlights the complexities of intellectual property theft and creative conflict resolution.
The theft occurred after "Butty" went viral on YouTube. Felinton downloaded the film, made minimal edits, and rebranded it to claim as his own, winning awards and building a reputation in the U.S. Initially shocked by the blatant plagiarism, Henneberg and Drost were advised that legal action would be costly and arduous. Instead of seeking revenge or filing lawsuits, they decided to turn the situation into a documentary, exploring Felinton's mindset and actions. This decision reflected their fascination with Felinton and their desire to understand his perspective rather than simply pursuing punishment.
During their research in Morgantown, West Virginia, the filmmakers posed as documentarians interested in young animators. They met Felinton, who remained calm and rational during their discussion about the theft. Felinton admitted to shortening and "improving" the film but showed little emotion, leaving the filmmakers surprised and intrigued. Their approach sparked mixed reactions, with some praising their creative resolution and others advocating for stronger legal
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/24/2026