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ITFS 2026 – First Program Highlights

From May 5 to 10, 2026, this year’s Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) will present the diversity of animation art in the Stuttgart city centre with films, workshops, talks and exhibitions. With the first short films announced in the competitions and confirmed international guests, the festival program is taking shape.

ITFS Open Air, Photo: Max Kullmann

From around 2,000 film submissions from all over the world, the four pre-selection juries have chosen a total of 104 animated short films for the ITFS International Competition, ITFS Student Competition, ITFS Tricks for Kids Competition and ITFS Trickstar Nature Award. All films have the chance to win the coveted prizes, which will be awarded on Saturday, 9 May and Sunday, 10 May. An overview of all films and dates can be found in the calendar at https://itfs.de/en/programme/calendar/. The final festival program will be published there in mid-March.

For this year’s focus on silhouette film, the ITFS welcomes award-winning animation filmmakers Michel Ocelot from France and Jörg Herrmann from Germany, among others, who will both hold Master Classes. With the Netherlands and Kenya, the ITFS is also focusing on several countries in different formats this year. In an In Persona presentation, Dutch director and animator Hisko Hulsing will reflect on the defining moments of his career. Director and screenwriter Voline Ogutu will also present Kenyan animated film projects in various formats. A new program at the festival is dedicated to adult animation in German series. 

Accreditations for film industry representatives and students are available at a reduced early bird rate until March 22, 2026. In addition to all film programmes, Accreditation allows participation in industry-relevant workshops, talks and Master Classes. For professionals and students planning to attend both ITFS and FMX – Film & Media Exchange, the ITFS + FMX Combi Pass is recommended (Early Bird Discount until March 20). Accreditations and tickets are available at https://itfs.de/en/tickets/.

The 2D computer-animated trailer “KEY” was developed exclusively for the festival by students of the Animationsinstitut at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. At the centre of the trailer is a curious character standing before a mysterious door. What follows is a journey into a world of colour, music and unexpected encounters. KEY symbolises the diversity and creativity of the international animation scene, which will take centre stage at the ITFS. More information about the trailer and its production process can be found at: itfstrailer.de

Trailer KEY ITFS 2026

Sources: Press Release ITFS and itfs.de

Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge – with Amelie Dillig

Together with the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (organizer of Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film) and the AMCRS, MFG organizes the Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge as a prelude to the monthly network meeting of the film industry (Jour Fixe). Speakers from the animation film scene present practical examples of current projects and provide insights into their work.

The next Animation Lounge will take place on Monday, March 9, 2026, 18:00 CET. Under the title “Creating the VFX Of THE PENGUIN,” Amelie Dillig, Producer at Accenture Song Content Germany, talks about what it takes to create the visual effects for an award-winning show like “The Penguin.” In her presentation, Amelie Dillig explains how the VFX are produced from start to finish. Together with her, you can explore menacing cityscapes and examine how they were designed to fully immerse the audience in the world of Gotham City.

Amelie Dillig studied Audiovisual Media at HdM in Stuttgart from 2011 until 2015. She then started her career as a VFX Coordinator at Pixomondo and worked her way up to VFX Producer over the years. After more than six years, Amelie left Pixomondo and joined Accenture as a VFX Producer in 2023. Her credits include “Stranger Things,” “The Penguin, Avatar – The Last Airbender,” “The Mandalorian,” “Game Of Thrones.”

Amelie Dillig (VFX Producerin Accenture Song) | © Accenture Song

The event will take place at the Kulturzentrum Merlin, Augustenstraße 72, 70178 Stuttgart. Admission is free.

All participants are cordially invited to attend the subsequent MFG Jour Fixe from 19:00 CET. The Jour Fixe offers a unique opportunity for exchange and networking with colleagues from the MFG Film Funding Unit.

Source and further information

TALENT Meet-up BW 2026

In 2026, the TALENT Meet-up BW will once again offer young professionals the opportunity to experience the Stuttgart Animated Week (FMX – Film & Media Exchange (May 5 to 7, 2026), Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (May 5 to 10, 2026), and the APD Conference (May 5, 2026)) with a free combi ticket. The program supports participants in networking, provides personalized program recommendations, and creates a framework for optimal exchange – both among participants and within the international industry. In addition, attendees will get to know regional support services and contact persons.

The program is aimed at individuals who are at the beginning of their own startup journey, currently developing animation-based content such as games, XR, VFX, or animation, or who are from related but non-industry fields, such as students in (humanities) sciences seeking to network with professionals from the animation, film, and games sectors. The offer is free of charge.

Applications are open until February 23, 2026, with responses provided by March 19, 2026. Apply now via the online form!

Program coordinators are MFG Baden-Württemberg, Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS), Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart (WRS), Film Commission Region Stuttgart, Wirtschaftsförderung der Stadt Stuttgart and the Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg.

Source and further informations: MFG Baden-Württemberg

Animation Production Days 2026: Call for Projects

Animation Production Days (APD) is the most important co-production and financing market for animation in Germany. It brings together co-production, financing and distribution partners for animation projects in efficient one-to-one meetings and offers focused debates and lectures on current challenges of the industry in a conference. APD is organized by Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH, is a Joint Venture of Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) and FMX – Film & Media Exchange, and takes place from May 5 to 7, 2026, in Stuttgart.

APD 2025 Co-Production Market, Photo: Reiner Pfisterer
APD 2025 Talent Pitch, Photo: Reiner Pfisterer

APD is open to:

(European) Producers with a new animation project looking for partners (Registration/Submission Deadline: February 4, 2026, Early Bird Deadline: January 15, 2026) –> Producer Accreditation

Emerging European talents (up to 35 years old) with a project of their own (Registration/Submission Deadline: February 4, 2026) –> Talent Accreditation

Studios and companies looking to co-produce or offer services (Registration/Submission Deadline: February 26, 2026) –> Co-Producer Accreditation | Co-Producer Accreditation (online)

Broadcasters, streamers, distributors, investors and sales agents interested in fresh content, and film and media funding institutions (Registration/Submission Deadline: February 4, 2026, Early Bird Deadline: January 15, 2026) –> Investor Accreditation

APD 2025 Best of Trailer

Calls for Entries ITFS 2026 – German Animation Screenplay Award, Animated Games Award and Trickstar Business Award

The Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) 2026 will take place from May 5 to 10, 2026. It focuses on artistic animated films and the promotion of young talent. In addition to the feature film competition (submission deadline January 15, 2026), additional categories are now open for submissions: the German Animation Screenplay Award, the Animated Games Award Germany, and the Trickstar Business Award.

The German Animation Screenplay Award recognises outstanding screenplays for feature-length animated films. The goal of the competition is to honor the central role of professional screenwriters in the creation of outstanding films and to encourage the development of exceptional stories for animated films.

The Award for the Best Screenplay for a Feature-Length Animated Film comes with €2,500, sponsored by the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS).

The Award for the Screenplay with the Greatest International Market Potential is endowed with €2,500, sponsored by our CREATORS from SOLA MEDIA.

For the best screenplay award submissions are possible in German and English, for the market potential award submissions are only possible in English. 
Submission Deadline: February 1, 2026 | Regulations | Submit here

The two awards will be presented on May 7, 2026, as part of the AniX Awards.

Stefanie Larson with Peter Keydel, Producer of the Best Screenplay at ITFS 2025, “Miss December and the Moon Clan”
Jens Opatz (Authors) and Matthias Drescher (Author, Producer): Winner Screenplay with the Greatest International Market Potential ITFS 2025, “Nessie Junior“

The Animated Games Award Germany is endowed with €5,000 and is sponsored by MFG Baden-Württemberg. It targets developers of high-quality video games who have their primary or secondary residence in Germany.

Eligible for submission are completed games for commercially available platforms that were released after January 1, 2025. The top five games will be nominated for the GameZone and showcased to the public during the event.
Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026 |  Regulations | Submit here

The Trickstar Business Award honours the best innovative and groundbreaking business model for a particular project or a company in the field of animation. The prize of €7,500 is sponsored by the Verband Region Stuttgart and will be awarded on May 7, 2026, as part of the AniX Awards.

Submission Deadline: February 25, 2026 | Regulations | Submit here

Winner Animated Games Award ITFS 2025: Slow Bros. GmbH with “Harold Halibut“
Winners AniX Award ITFS 2025, all photos: Reiner Pfisterer

Jobs at ITFS

The Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (FMF) is the organizer of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS), one of the world’s largest animation festivals, which takes place annually over six days in April/May. It is also co-organizer of the Animation Production Days (APDs), which take place at the same time as FMX – Film & Media Exchange. The next ITFS will be held from May 5 to 10, 2026.

They are currently offering several job opportunities:

Trainee in Sponsorship & Marketing (m/f/d)
Starting January 7, 2026, full time (40 hours/week)
Application with résumé by November 30, 2025, via email to bewerbung@festival-gmbh.de – Job Posting (German)

Guest Management / Hosting Staff (m/f/d)
Starting Dezember 1, 2025, part time (60 %, 24 hours/week)
Application with résumé, cover letter, and information on salary expectations and start date by November 30, 2025, via email to bewerbung@festival-gmbh.de– Job Posting (German)

All job offers at ITFS

Team ITFS 2025, Photo: Max Kullmann

Pre-Fixe with Animation Lounge – Mucks! Games

Together with the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (organizer of Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film) and the AMCRS, MFG organizes the Pre Fixe with Animation Lounge as a prelude to the monthly network meeting of the film industry (Jour Fixe). Speakers from the animation film scene present practical examples of current projects and provide insights into their work.

The next Animation Lounge will take place on Monday, November 10, 2025, 18:00 CET. Under the title “Making Meaningful Games – Social Impact without the Seriousness,” the founders of Mucks! Games will talk about their studio and the games they create.

About Mucks! Games: We are a weird bunch of creatives located in Ludwigsburg, Germany. After working together on games and interactive installations during our studies at Animationsinstitut in Ludwigsburg, we decided to start something all our own. A place to show our unique visual style, to tell stories that go deep and create experiences with an impact. We want to make meaningful, beautiful games that stay with you, long after you have turned off the screen.

The event will take place at the Kulturzentrum Merlin, Augustenstraße 72, 70178 Stuttgart. Admission is free.

All participants are cordially invited to attend the subsequent MFG Jour Fixe from 19:00 CET. The Jour Fixe offers a unique opportunity for exchange and networking with colleagues from the MFG Film Funding Unit.

More information

ITFS Animation Special & Premiere “Stitch Head”

MFG Baden-Württemberg and Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film present the Baden-Württemberg premiere of “Alles voller Monster“ (“Stitch Head”), as ITFS Animation Special on Saturday, October 18, 15:00 CET, in the EM 1 (Innenstadtkinos Stuttgart). Following the screening, there will be a discussion with director and screenwriter Steve Hudson, producer Sonja Ewers and further guests.

Stitch Head

The ITFS is closely connected with the development of “Alles voller Monster”. At the ITFS 2020, the screenplay received the German Animation Screenplay Award – the award for the best screenplay for a feature film, sponsored by AMCRS. At the ITFS 2025 at the beginning of May, director Steve Hudson presented a making-of – from illustrated children’s book to fully rendered animated feature.

Our CREATORS from LAVAlabs and PIXOMONDO were also involved in the creative process. The production was carried out by Gringo Films (Sonja Ewers), Fabrique d’Images, Senator Film Produktion, Traumhaus Studios, Mia Wallace Productions, and Senator Film Köln.

Synopsis:
In a castle, a mad professor brings monstrous creatures (almost) to life… and promptly forgets about them. Who will take care of the castle and the monsters, who will teach them NOT to be monstrous? Stitch Head – the professor’s very first creation. He does all the work until one day the “Travelling Fair of Unnatural Wonders” run by the shady circus director Fulbert Freakfinder arrives in town. In desperate need of a new attractions, he promises Stitch Head fame, fortune – and love.

Source: ITFS

Trailer “Alles voller Monster” (“Stitch Head”)

Jobs at ITFS

The Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (FMF) is the organizer of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS), one of the world’s largest animation festivals, which takes place annually over six days in April/May. It is also co-organizer of the Animation Production Days (APDs), which take place at the same time as FMX – Film & Media Exchange. The next ITFS will be held from May 5 to 10, 2026.

They are currently offering several job opportunities:

Head of Communication and Marketing (f/m/d) (Leitung Kommunikation und Marketing (m/w/d)), starting no later than November 1, 2025, part-time (75–80%), initially limited to 2 years – Job Posting (German)

Trainee for Print Logistics & Program Organization (f/m/d) (Volontär Kopienlogistik & Programmorganisation (m/w/d)), starting October 1, 2025, initially limited to 2 years – Job Posting (German)

Working Student in IT & Application Support (f/m/d) (Werkstudent IT- & Anwendungsbetreuer (m/w/d)) – Job Posting (German)

Please submit your application by August 31, 2025, via email to bewerbung@festival-gmbh.de

All job offers at ITFS

Team ITFS 2025, Photo: Max Kullmann

Pre Fixe in July – with Dr. Andreas Bareiß

Together with the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (organizer of Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film) and the AMCRS, MFG organizes the Pre Fixe as a prelude to the monthly network meeting of the film industry (Jour Fixe). Speakers from the animation and film scene present practical examples of current projects and provide insights into their work.

The next Pre Fixe will take place on Monday, July 14, 2025, 18:00 CET. Guest: Dr. Andreas Bareiß has been Director of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg since May 1. In the Pre Fixe, he will share his perspective on the Filmakademie, where he identifies fields of action, and what strategy he is pursuing to make the Filmakademie and its students fit for the future in a rapidly changing media industry.

The event will take place at the Kulturzentrum Merlin, Augustenstraße 72, 70178 Stuttgart. Admission is free.

Dr. Andreas Bareiß, (c) FABW / Anja Fellerhoff

All participants are cordially invited to attend the subsequent MFG Jour Fixe from 19:00 CET. The Jour Fixe offers a unique opportunity for exchange and networking with colleagues from the MFG Film Funding Unit.

More information