Silent Film with Live Music: Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed
The Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film 2026 pays tribute to the art of silhouette animation in a special film screening: DIE ABENTEUER DES PRINZEN ACHMED, the oldest surviving feature-length animated film in cinema history, will be brought to life anew in an extraordinary live performance featuring its original score.
Lotte Reiniger, Carl Koch, Germany, 1926 Copyright: Stadtmuseum Tübingen
Lotte Reiniger, Carl Koch, Germany, 1926 Copyright: Stadtmuseum Tübingen
Members of the SWR Symphony Orchestra will accompany Lotte Reiniger’s 1926 silhouette film live, adding a new musical dimension to its intricate figures and fairy-tale imagery. The result is a striking interplay between early animation artistry and contemporary interpretation – honoring both the pioneering animation classic and its creator, Lotte Reiniger, along with her distinctive and influential technique.
Orchestra: Larissa Fernandes, violin | Anna Mazurek, cello | Elya Levin, flute | Ivan Danko, oboe | Lars Jönsson, piano | Conductor: Anton Brezinka
Date: Friday, May 8, 18:30 CET | Location: Innenstadtkinos Stuttgart, Gloria 1 |Tickets
With a focus on silhouette animation, the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film honors the pioneer of animation, Lotte Reiniger, and her influential animation technique. The occasion is this year’s anniversary: 100 years ago, on May 2, 1926, DIE ABENTEUER DES PRINZEN ACHMED by Lotte Reiniger premiered in Berlin. This silhouette film is considered the oldest surviving feature-length animated film in the world.
Lotte Reiniger is regarded as a trailblazer of silhouette animation. Her remarkable life story reflects her strength and resilience: she fled the Nazis and lived in London, Paris, and Rome – eventually also settling in Baden-Württemberg. Her work is therefore rightly at the center of a dedicated program focus at this year’s ITFS.
In addition, the ITFS has long awarded the Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award, a prize of €10,000 for the best animated graduation film in the Student Competition, sponsored by MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg.
Our Creators @ FMX, ITFS and APD on Wednesday, May 6, 2026!
Day 2 of the STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK 2026! Discover when and where our CREATORS are participating at FMX, ITFS, and APD on Wednesday, May 6! And further highlights!
11:00-20:00 ITFS, Staatsgalerie Säulensaal GameZone Extended Hochschule der Medien, Animationsinstitut / FABW, Merz Akademie, Studio Seufz https://itfs.de/en/show/gamezone-extended-6/
9:00-12:15 APD, Landesmuseum Württemberg – Altes Schloss Co-Production and Financing Market, Tailored One-to-One Meetings “The Little Dormouse” (gretels gold) https://animationproductiondays.de/programme/market/
10:00 ITFS, Robert-Bosch-Saal (vhs Stuttgart) Kitaprogramm: Komm, ich helfe dir! “3 Kapitäne” by Julia Ocker, Thomas Meyer-Hermann (producer, Studio Film Bilder); “Lenas Hof: Volles Nest” by Elena Walf, Thomas Meyer-Hermann (producer, Studio Film Bilder); “Kito, Maja und die Kugelkiste – Vom PUMPHUT und der Windstille” by Eliza Plocieniak-Alvarez, Alumni Animationsinstitut / FABW https://itfs.de/en/show/kitaprogramm-komm-ich-helfe-dir-2/
10:00 FMX, Turm Aalen & VOD CrossDot / Umbraven – A Dark Fantasy Short / On the Road to Caen / Blue Tent / Hang In There School Presentations, presented by Alexandra Joshi, Animationsinstitut / FABW and Mark Szilagyi, FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35005
11:15 FMX, Turm Aalen & VOD DOPAMIN100 / The Tyrant / SCREWED / Vincent School Presentations, presented by Alexandra Joshi, Animationsinstitut / FABW and Mark Szilagyi, FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35006
18:15 FMX, Turm Aalen & VOD The future of immersive excellence, innovation, and collaboration in THE CYBERLÄND. Maximilian Schmierer, b.ReX, Panel “LÄND-made” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35036
19:00 ITFS, Staatsgalerie, Metzler Saal Open Stage Games BW, Keynote „Animation und Immersion in The Longing und Lucky Tower Ultimate“ Anselm Pyta, Studio Seufz, MFG https://itfs.de/en/show/open-stage-games-bw-2/
19:45 FMX, Metropol Cinema METROPOL CINEMA: Special Screening of Independence Day with Introduction by Roland Emmerich To attend the screening, pick up your ticket at the ticket counter on Level 0 starting on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:00! https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/36445
