Internationales Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart (ITFS) 2026 – Stuttgart, Germany
Overview
The Internationales Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart (ITFS) is one of the most prominent events for animated film in the world, attracting around 70,000 visitors to the heart of Baden-Württemberg. Founded in 1982, the festival has grown into a world-class platform that celebrates the entire spectrum of animation, including visual effects, games, and cross-media projects. For six days in May, the city of Stuttgart transforms into a vibrant canvas for international filmmakers, industry professionals, and families alike.
The 2026 edition carries a special historical weight, as it pays tribute to 100 years of the silhouette film. The festival will honor the legacy of animation pioneer Lotte Reiniger, whose masterpiece The Adventures of Prince Achmed premiered in May 1926. This centenary celebration will feature specialized screenings, exhibitions, and workshops that explore the silhouette technique’s evolution from hand-cut paper to modern digital artistry, ensuring the heritage of animation remains a central pillar of the event.
Central to the festival experience is the integration of the professional and public spheres. While the Innenstadtkinos (city center cinemas) host high-stakes international competitions, the Schlossplatz (Palace Square) offers a massive open-air cinema where visitors can enjoy animated classics for free under the stars. This democratic approach to culture allows high-art animation and popular entertainment to coexist, making the ITFS a unique meeting point where the global creative elite engages directly with an enthusiastic regional audience.
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Event Highlights
- International Competition: A prestigious selection of animated short films competing for the Grand Prix, which serves as an official qualifier for the Academy Awards longlist.
- Open-Air Cinema: A giant LED screen on the Schlossplatz provides free screenings and live programs in a festive atmosphere, attracting thousands of casual viewers and families.
- 100 Years of Silhouette Film: A dedicated retrospective and workshop series celebrating the centenary of the first feature-length animated film and its influence on modern media.
- GameZone: An interactive exhibition space located in the Kunstgebäude that explores the intersection of high-quality animation, independent games, and virtual reality.
Why Attend
This event is ideal for professional animators, students, and fans of visual storytelling who want to see the latest global trends before they hit the mainstream. Attending ITFS offers the rare chance to witness artistic shorts and experimental features that are rarely shown in commercial theaters, providing a deep dive into the creative possibilities of the medium. For industry members, the festival’s proximity to the FMX conference makes it a powerhouse for professional networking and career development.
The benefits of attending extend to the unique cultural atmosphere of Stuttgart during the festival week. Visitors can enjoy a perfect mix of professional panels, high-level film art, and relaxed social gatherings in the city’s historic center. For families and young audiences, the Tricks for Kids section provides curated content and hands-on activities that foster a love for media and storytelling in an engaging, age-appropriate environment.
Date & Duration
- Event Date: May 5 – 10, 2026
- Event Duration: 6 days
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Tickets are available through the official ITFS online shop starting in early April, with on-site sales also available at the festival center and participating cinemas.
- Admission Type: Options include single cinema tickets, day passes, and full festival passes, as well as specialized professional accreditations.
- Ticket Pricing: Single screenings cost approximately $14, day tickets are priced around $30, and full festival passes range from $65 to $85.
- Special Seating Options: Open-air screenings on the Schlossplatz are free to the public with open seating, while cinema venues offer standard theater seating.
- VIP Options: Professional accreditation packages, ranging from $65 to $100, include access to the Animated Video Market, industry talks, and exclusive masterclasses.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Stuttgart, Germany
- Venue Name: Innenstadtkinos (Gloria, Metropol, Cinema) and Schlossplatz
- Google Maps Address: Königstraße 20, 70173 Stuttgart, Germany
Worried about accommodation? Hotels near this event sell out quickly, and prices tend to rise fast. Check out these accommodation options:
Contact Information
- Email: kontakt@festival-gmbh.de
- Phone Number: +49 (0) 711 925 46 0
- Official Website: https://itfs.de/en/home/
- Social Media Links:
- https://www.facebook.com/stuttgartfestivalofanimatedfilm/
- https://www.instagram.com/itfs_festival_stuttgart/
- https://www.youtube.com/user/FilmfestivalITFS
- https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/trickfilmfestival
Getting There
- Nearest Airport: Stuttgart Airport is approximately 13 kilometers from the city center and is reachable in 20 minutes via the S-Bahn.
- Nearest Train/Metro Station: Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) is the main hub, located within walking distance of the primary festival cinemas and the Schlossplatz.
- Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: The festival venues are served by almost all city S-Bahn lines (S1-S6) and U-Bahn lines U5, U6, and U7 via the Schlossplatz and Hauptbahnhof stops.
- Parking Availability: Several underground parking garages are located nearby, including the Schlossgarten and Königsbau-Passagen parking areas.
- Directions by Car: The city center is accessible via the A8 and A81 motorways, following signs for Stuttgart-Zentrum and the B27 federal highway.
What is this event?
The Internationales Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart is one of the world’s leading festivals for artistic animation, showcasing a wide range of works from short films to interactive games. It serves as both a major industry trade event and a massive public cultural festival that celebrates the art of moving images.
The festival features competitive categories for international shorts, student films, children’s animation, and feature-length productions. It is recognized as an Oscar-qualifying event, making it a critical stop for filmmakers aiming for global recognition and awards.
Why is it popular?
The festival is popular due to its unique “city festival” atmosphere, particularly the open-air cinema on the Schlossplatz which brings high-quality animation to the general public for free. Its ability to bridge the gap between niche artistic expression and popular family entertainment makes it a favorite for diverse audiences.
It also draws a large professional crowd because it runs in tandem with FMX, the prominent conference for digital visual arts. This synergy makes Stuttgart the center of the global animation and VFX industry for a week, attracting top-tier talent from major studios like Pixar, Disney, and Ghibli.
Tips before you go
- Download the VVS mobile app to easily navigate Stuttgart’s public transport, as the festival pass often includes or offers discounted local travel.
- Check the weather forecast for the evening screenings at the Schlossplatz and bring a warm jacket or blanket, as May nights in Stuttgart can be cool.
- Book your tickets for the International Competition programs early, as these screenings feature the highest-profile films and frequently sell out.
- Visit the GameZone in the Kunstgebäude during the morning hours to avoid the large crowds and get more hands-on time with the interactive exhibits.
- If you are a student, ensure you have your valid ID ready when collecting your tickets to take advantage of the significant discounts offered across all categories.
Attendee Experiences
- The energy on the Schlossplatz when thousands of people watch an animated film together is a feeling you cannot get anywhere else.
- I was amazed by the diversity of the student films which showed so much innovation and fresh thinking in the industry.
- Being able to walk from a high-tech game exhibition straight into a beautiful historic cinema for a short film marathon was incredible.
Maps
Contact
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FAQ's
What languages are the films shown in during the festival?
Most films are shown in their original version with either English or German subtitles to accommodate both the international industry guests and the local audience. For the children’s programs in the Tricks for Kids section, films are either dubbed into German or presented with live German voice-over to help younger viewers follow the story.
Is there an age limit for children to attend the open-air screenings?
The open-air cinema on the Schlossplatz is open to all ages and features a program specifically curated for families during the afternoon hours. However, for late-night screenings in the cinemas, visitors must adhere to the standard German FSK age ratings which vary depending on the specific film's content and themes.
How can I participate in the workshops and masterclasses?
Workshops and masterclasses usually require a professional accreditation or a specific festival pass that includes the industry program. While some events may allow for single-ticket entry if space permits, it is highly recommended to register in advance through the professional portal on the official festival website to secure a spot.
Can I submit my own animated film to be screened at the festival?
The call for entries usually opens in September of the previous year and closes in mid-January for the following May edition. Filmmakers can submit their work through platforms like Shortfilmdepot, and if selected by the jury, their film will be screened as part of the official competition or curated programs.
What is the connection between ITFS and the FMX conference?
ITFS and FMX are partner events that take place during the same week in Stuttgart, with ITFS focusing on the artistic and public side of animation and FMX focusing on technology and production. Many attendees purchase a combined pass that allows them to move between the cinema screenings of ITFS and the professional technology panels of FMX.
