Futuromundo Cross Innovation Festival & Cyberländ Futuromundo 2026
Stuttgart will once again become a meeting point for changemakers and future shapers from across Europe on June 25 and 26, 2026. At the FUTUROMUNDO Cross Innovation Festival, around 150 international speakers will come together across five conferences to discuss key challenges of the future and develop practical solutions. The interdisciplinary festival brings together stakeholders from business, education, politics, and technology, offering inspiring and hands-on insights for the transformation of companies, organizations, and educational institutions. The event will take place at venues including the Liederhalle and the Haus der Wirtschaft. The program will be complemented by open-format events held throughout Stuttgart’s city center.
CYBERLÄND FUTUROMUNDO 2026 is the conference on the future of immersive technologies (June 26, 2026 | Haus der Wirtschaft | Content partners: MFG Baden-Württemberg & Acameo). Members of the AMCRS will also be involved, contributing their expertise and perspectives to the program.
10:45 CET | Von Strategie zur Anwendung: Kick-Off CyberLÄND-Stream: with, among others, Dr. Ellen Koban (MFG Baden-Württemberg) | Information
14:30 CET | Wie VR medizinisches Lernen verändert: with, among others, Christoph Brosius (Program Curator GiG – Games & Gamification im Gesundheitswesen, MFG) | Information
MASTERCLASS-AREA (Konferenzraum Heilbronn)
11:00 CET | KI-Avatare: Maximilian Schmierer (Co-Founder & CTO, b.ReX) | Information
12:00 CET | Industrial Metaverse Reallabor: with, among others, Dr. Alexander Kreische (Carl Laemmle Institut, FABW), Volker Helzle (Head of Carl Laemmle Institut) | Information
15:30 CET | Game Design für Training im Gesundheitswesen: Christoph Brosius (Program Curator GiG – Games & Gamification im Gesundheitswesen, MFG) | Information
CO & VISION – How does innovation succeed in CO-partnerships in practice? (June 25 & 26, 2026 | Organizer: MFG, Literaturhaus, Breitscheidstr. 4)
In the MFG Clubhouse “CO & VISION”, the funding program CO.VISION meets the open festival space of FUTUROMUNDO. Over two days, the practical application of cross innovation becomes tangible: CO-partnerships from Baden-Württemberg provide insights into their pilot projects, their collaborations, and their next development steps. Participation is free of charge and possible without a FUTUROMUNDO ticket. Information & Program
Speakers & Topics, among others:
Mira Kleine, Project Manager for Entrepreneurial Action at the MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg
MyMilo – Gamifizierte Bewegungstherapie für krebskranke Kinder, with, among others, Maximilian Schmierer, b.ReX | Information
From June 21 to 27, 2026, this year’s Annecy Festival will take place. Part of the festival is the MIFA Animation Film Market, which runs from June23 to 26. Projects by filmmakers from our network will also be represented.
As part of the “2026 Annecy Presents” program, “Monster Mia” will be screened. The film is directed by Verena Fels (an alumna of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut), produced by Arx Anima Animation Studio GmbH, and co-produced, among others, by Holger Weiss and Dominique Schuchmann (PENG! BOOM! TSCHAK! – FILMS / The M.A.R.K. 13 Group). International sales: Solveig Langeland (Sola Media). The project received funding from MFG Baden-Württemberg. More information
Also featured in “2026 Annecy Presents” is “The Last Whale Singer” (Der letzte Walsänger), directed by Reza Memari. The film, which was likewise supported by MFG Baden-Württemberg, was also part of the ITFS 2026program. More information
Competing in the “Graduation Film” category is “The Amazing Kitsuverse”, directed by Leo Neumann. The film is a graduation project from Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut. More information
Additional program events will offer insights into the upcoming productions “Twisted” and “ViQueens”, both of which involve Sola Media. More information
DOKVILLE, the industry gathering hosted by the Haus des Dokumentarfilms, will take place this year on June 18 and 19 at Hospitalhof Stuttgart. The central theme of DOKVILLE 2026 is: DEMOKRATIE UNTER DRUCK – IST UNSERE ZIVILGESELLSCHAFT AM ENDE?(DEMOCRACY UNDER PRESSURE – IS OUR CIVIL SOCIETY COMING TO AN END?) Through keynotes, panels, and case studies, DOKVILLE will examine the growing threats facing democracy today. Those unable to attend in person can follow the event via livestream.
Civil societies around the world are increasingly under pressure. One consequence is a growing loss of trust in democratic institutions, a development that can now be observed in many countries. This erosion is being accelerated by aggressive populism spread through digital platforms, aimed at systematically destabilizing democratic norms. Strategically deployed disinformation and algorithm-driven manipulation of information undermine the credibility of reliable media and democratic discourse.
What responses can, and must, institutions committed to democracy find in the face of this radical questioning of our social order? How can our society continue to safeguard the rule of law and fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of the press? These questions will be discussed at DOKVILLE 2026 by renowned filmmakers, journalists, and experts from politics and academia.
Among the speakers providing key impulses on the topic are former German President Prof. Dr. Joachim Gauck as opening speaker, journalist and human rights activist Düzen Tekkal, Katharina Willinger, head of the ARD studios in Istanbul and Tehran, director Stephan Lamby, media executive Nathalie Wappler (Chair of the Medienrat), and Paul Ronzheimer of BILD.
For the third time, the industry event will also include the MFG-funded pitch format “Speed Dating,” giving directors the opportunity to present new projects and project ideas to commissioning editors from attending broadcasters.
In the “Best Visual Effects” category at the Deutscher Filmpreis 2026 (German Film Awards 2026), Michael Wortmann (RISE) and Frank Schlegel won the LOLA for “Momo.” Michael Wortmann is a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut. Also nominated in this category were VFX supervisors Max Riess and Mona Mohr (PIXOMONDO) for “Woodwalkers 2,” as well as Tomer Eshed, Dennis Rettkowski, and Frank Kaminski for “Die Schule der magischen Tiere 4” – both productions funded by MFG Baden-Württemberg.
Michael Wortmann, Frank Schlegel (not there) · MOMO I BESTE VISUELLE EFFEKTE at DEUTSCHER FILMPREIS 2026 in Berlin. Copyright: Eventpress Fuhr
The film “In die Sonne schauen”(“Sound of Falling”) received the Golden Lola for Best Feature Film and won a total of ten Lolas. Numerous alumni of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg were involved in the production. The awards spanned nearly all creative and technical disciplines – from directing and screenwriting to cinematography, editing, production design, costume design, makeup, and sound design. Back in 2023, directors Mascha Schilinski and Louise Peter had already received the Thomas Strittmatter Award from MFG Baden-Württemberg for the screenplay of “In die Sonne schauen”.
As part of the About Pop Festival & Convention 2026 (June 12-13, 2026), About Next will take place on June 13 – a sub-conference bringing together the creative industries, start-ups, technology, and innovation.
About Next creates space for exchange, new collaborations, and fresh impulses between the creative scene, businesses, and the public sector. At its core are the opportunities of a strong regional innovation ecosystem in which creative and entrepreneurial skills work hand in hand. Expect panels, talks, workshops, and best-practice formats on current topics such as new business models, digital sovereignty, community building, and sustainable cultural work. About Next highlights how creative industries are increasingly becoming a driving force for transformation, economic development, and regional attractiveness. Following the program, a get-together in the networking area with food and drinks invites participants to connect and exchange ideas.
About Pop 2025, photo: Ilkay Karakurt
The format was initiated by Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH together with MFG Baden-Württemberg, the City of Stuttgart, and the companies HearDis!, and Gold und Wirtschaftswunder.
As part of About Next, MFG Baden-Württemberg will present the workshop “Creative Collaboration – Wie stärkt Brückenkompetenz cross-innovative Zusammenarbeit?“ featuring Mira Kleine, Project Manager for Entrepreneurial Action. The workshop explores how bridging competencies can strengthen collaboration across different disciplines and industries, with a focus on new perspectives for cross-innovative processes between the creative industries, technology, and other economic sectors.
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026, Doors open: 9:30 CET, Program: 10-18 CET | Location:HearDis! Space, Christophstraße 6, 70178 Stuttgart
Free convention tickets are available via this link. The ticket includes access to About Next as well as the convention programme on Friday. Optionally, the ticket can be upgraded to include the full About Pop program.
For one week, Stuttgart was immersed in animation fever as ITFS invited both the national and international industry as well as a broad regional audience to discover and experience the very best of animation on screen across around 150 events. The Award Ceremony took place on Saturday evening, May 9, 2026, at Gloria 1. Six film awards and one project award were presented across the various competition categories.
The ITFS International Competition Grand Prix, endowed with € 10,000, went to the short film WITH TAPES AND TOASTS IN THE CAR by Stuttgart-based filmmaker Kiana Naghshineh, a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut. The award automatically qualifies the film for the Academy Awards. The French-German co-production also impressed audiences and additionally received the Audience Award, sponsored by SWR. The graduation film SENSUAL by Tanja Nuijten, a graduate of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg’s Animationsinstitut, recieved a Special Mention at the Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award.
WITH TAPES AND TOASTS IN THE CAR, Kiana Nagshineh
Kiana Nagshineh receives the Trixie statue, photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
Kiana Nagshineh, photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
SENSUAL, Tanja Nuijten, FABW
ITFS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION Grand Prix (Animation Award of the State of Baden-Württemberg and the City of Stuttgart in the amount of 10,000 euros) and Audience Award (Award for the Best Animated Film voted by the Audience in the amount of 6,000 euros, sponsored by SWR):
WITH TAPES AND TOASTS IN THE CAR (IM AUTO TAPES UND BUTTERBROT) Germany, France 2025 Director: Kiana Naghshineh | Production: Laïdak Films, ManicMonday | Producers: Antoine Liétout, Henrik von Müller, Ivan Zuber, Kiana Naghshineh | World Sales: Miyu Distribution
Jury: Hisko Hulsing, Melanie Beisswenger, Vera Neubauer
Special Mention at the Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award (Award for the Best Animated Graduation Film in the amount of 10,000 euros, sponsored by MFG Film Funding Baden-Württemberg)
Earlier in the festival, on Thursday evening, the German Animation Screenplay Awards and the Trickstar Business Award were presented during the AniX Awards ceremony at the Festival Centre. The festival’s final award was presented on Sunday afternoon on the Open Air stage: the Kids’ Jury honoured the best lm in the ITFS Tricks for Kids Competition in front of an eagerly awaiting audience.
Save the Date: The 34th Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film will take place from 27 April to 2 May 2027.https://itfs.de/
May 8, 2026
The Winners of the AniX Awards at ITFS 2026!
The first award winners of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS)2026 can be announced: In a joint awards ceremony – the AniX Awards – the German Animation Screenplay Award and the Trickstar Business Award were presented on the evening of May 7, 2026 at the Festival Centre in the Haus der Katholischen Kirche.
The Award for the Best German Screenplay for an Animated Feature Film in the amount of € 2,500 sponsored by the Animation Media Creators Region Stuttgart (AMCRS), goes to EMMI & EINSCHWEIN – EINHORN KANN JEDER! (EMMI & UNIPIG – ANYONE CAN BE A UNICORN!) by Anna Böhm (Producer: Stephan Wagner, Production: Carte blanche Media)
From the jury statement: The jury honours a screenplay whose powerful storytelling demonstrates just how vibrant, witty, and at the same time moving contemporary animated films for the whole family can be. “Emmi & Unipig – Anyone can be a Unicorn!” creates a world brimming with imagination without relying on mere cuteness. Instead, the story uses its wealth of magical creatures to explore very real emotions: shame, exclusion, the longing for belonging—and the courage to accept oneself, even when that doesn’t fit with the shiny expectations of others.
The Special Mention goes to PETRONELLA APFELMUS – DER FILM (PETRONELLA APPLEWITCH)by Claudio Winter and Seraina Nyikos (Producer: Dirk Beinhold, Valentin Greulich, Production: Akkord Film Produktion, Co-Producer:SERU Animation, funded by MFG)
Stefanie Larson, Sophia Bierend, Solveig Langeland, Silke Wilfinger, Stephan Wagner, Matthias Drescher and Jørn Precht (left to right), photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
Stefanie Larson, Seraina Nyikos, Claudio Winter and Sebastian Runschke (SERU) (left to right), photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
The Award for the German Screenplay with the Biggest International Market Potential in the amount of € 2,500, sponsored by SOLA MEDIA – and the winner is DREAMERS – THE HUNT FOR SHADOWCLAW by Jörg Ihle, Dominik Hochwald, Christopher Jenkins, Robert Moreland, and Alison James (Producers: Ulrich Schwarz, Ivy Stein, Production: parapictures filmproductions).
From the jury statement: DREAMERS is a wonderfully humorous, action-packed, and heartwarming screenplay featuring charmingly anthropomorphized animals who embrace their disabilities and use them as special, valuable abilities. This is done in an effortless, exciting, and highly entertaining way for all ages. Important messages such as tolerance, friendship, and inclusion are conveyed playfully. Because in the end, we are all Dreamers—a little bit normal, a little bit quirky, and each one special. The jury of this year’s screenplay award sees all the ingredients and potential for a successful international release in this emotional story.
The Special Mention goes to TRÜFFEL by Sonja Knyssok.
The jury consisted of Matthias Drescher, Sophia Bierend, Solveig Langeland, Jørn Precht and Silke Wilfinger.
Stefanie Larson, Solveig Langeland, Ulrich Schwarz, Jørn Precht, Ivy Stein, Silke Wilfinger, Sophia Bierend, Matthias Drescher and Robert Moreland (left to right), photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
Sonja Knyssok, photo: ITFS, Reiner Pfisterer
The Trickstar Business Award, the award for the Best Innovative and Groundbreaking Business Model for a Project or a Company in the Field of Animation in the amount of € 7,500 sponsored by Verband Region Stuttgart, goes to Atomedge(CEO: Guy van der Walt).
Our Creators @ FMX and ITFS on Friday, May 8, 2026!
STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK 2026 – Day 4: Where will you find our CREATORSon Friday, May 8, at FMX and ITFS? Let’s find this out, and other highlights! Please note: All FMX program sessions on Friday will take place either on the Filmakademie Campus in Ludwigsburg or online.
FMX, Photo: Dominique Brewing
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-10/
12:30 FMX, Ade-Studio, Filmakademie Campus Can animated content reach beyond the tween audience? Can talent earn a living from it? Arne Hain, Eliza Plocieniak-Alvarez, Alumni Animationsinstitut / FABW; Panel “Fresh Visions” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/36162
Our Creators @ FMX, ITFS und APD on Thursday, May 7, 2026!
Our CREATORS are involved in numerous talks, presentations, screenings, meetings and events at FMX, ITFS and APD on Thursday, May 7 – Day 3 of the STUTTGART ANIMATED WEEK2026. Find out where and when, and discover many more 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-2/
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 FMX, König-Karl-Halle The Craft of Sound: Innovation and Workflows at Walt Disney Animation Studios Panel “Sound Design” curated by Nami Strack, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35083
10:00 FMX, Raum Reutlingen From Prototype to Market: Building the Next Wave of Creative Startups and Founders in Baden-Württemberg Veljko Sekelj, Hochschule der Medien, Panel “LÄND-made” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35068
10:30 ITFS, Festival Centre, Veronika-Saal Making of: German Children’s Series “Kito & Maja – The Dream Globe Tales” by Eliza Plocieniak-Alvarez & Carol Ratajczak, Alumni Animationsinstitut / FABW https://itfs.de/en/show/making-of-german-childrens-series-2/
12:30 FMX, Meidinger-Saal & VOD From Pixels to Waveforms: How AI Bridges the Gap Between Picture and Sound Panel “Sound Design” curated by Nami Strack, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35085
17:00 FMX, Raum Reutlingen & VOD Adult Animation in a Kids’ Industry: Making Task Force Querlitz in Germany Arne Hain, Alumnus Animationsinstitut / FABW; Panel “Fresh Visions” curated by Christian Müller, Animationsinstitut / FABW https://fmx.de/en/program/program-2026/detail/event/35022
19:00 ITFS, Festival Centre, Eugen-Bolz-Saal AnixAwards German Animation Screenplay Awards (sponsored by AMCRS, Sola Media), Trickstar Business Award https://itfs.de/en/show/anixawards-2/
21:30 Die Note, Berliner Platz 1 Animation Lounge AMCRS
May 5, 2026
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.
