Short and feature films

International Competition

The International Competition (IC) is the beating heart of the festival. The best of current animated shorts from around the world are shown in this section. Films are humorous, contemplative, creative, or critical.  An international jury selects the best animated short film of the year which will be honoured in the grand awards ceremony on Sunday. But you get to vote as well: Choose your favourite film for the SWR Audience Award!

IC1: Tue, May 2, Gloria 1, 9 pm // Wed, May 3, Metropol 2, 11 am 
IC2: Wed, May 3, Gloria 1, 9 pm // Thu, May 4, Metropol 2, 11 am
IC3: Thu, May 4, Gloria 1, 9 pm // Fri, May 5, Metropol 2, 11 am
IC4: Fri, May 5, Gloria 1, 9 pm // Sat, May 6, Metropol 2, 11 am 
IC5: Sat, May 6, Gloria 1, 9 pm // Sun, May 7, Metropol 2, 11 am

Young Animation

The Young Animation Competition (YA) shows selected animated short films made by students of international film and art schools. Young animation artistes from 19 countries tell touching stories, create fantastic worlds and open new perspectives

YA1: Tue, May 2, Gloria 2, 11 pm // Wed, May 3, Gloria 2, 7 pm
YA2: Wed, May 3, Gloria 2, 11 pm // Thu, May 4, Gloria 2, 7 pm
YA3: Thu, May 4, Gloria 2, 11 pm // Fri, May 5, Gloria 2, 7 pm
YA4: Fri, May 5, Gloria 2, 11 pm // Sat, May 6, Gloria 2, 7 pm

spotlight & Animated Com audience vote with DURCHBLICK

Together with spotlight – Festival For Moving Pictures we take (animated) commercials in to the main programme. There will be a live audicence voteabout the most creative commercials from TV, cinema and web of the last year. Afterwards advertisers and filmproducers will talk to the audidence.

Thu, May 4, Metropol 2, 6 pm // Sat, May 6, Gloria 2, 5 pm

Tricks for Kids Shorts Competition

The Tricks for Kids Shorts presents 24 of the latest and most beautiful short films for children. The programmes are targeted at various age groups, The screenings will be attended by filmmakers. They explain how their films were created and answer questions. For films in foreign languages, German voice-over will be provided live in the cinema.

Tricks for Kids 1 (aged 6 or older), Thu, May 4, Metropol 1, 2.30 pm
Tricks for Kids 2 (aged 4 or older): Fri, May 5, Metropol 1, 2.30 pm
Tricks for Kids 3 (aged 8 or older): Sat, May 6, Metropol 1, 2.30 pm
Tricks for Kids 4 (aged 5 or older)): Sun, May 7, Metropol 1, 2.30 pm

Tricks for Kids Series Competition

The Tricks for Kids Series Competition consists of  2 age-based programmes of selected episodes of the most beautiful, international animated series for children of all ages. Children and their families can look forward to a journey across different continents, full of surprises and discoveries. The attending filmmakers will be glad to tell the audiences about the creation of their stories. For episodes in foreign languages, German voice-over will be provided live in the cinema

Tricks for Kids Serien 1 (aged 3 or older ): Wed, May 3, Metropol 1, 2.30 pm
Tricks for Kids Serien 2 (aged  7 or older): Sun, May 7, Metropol 1, 5 pm

Panorama 1-4

The Panorama section is a showcase for current trends in the international animation scene. Discover creative films, explore recent topics and innovative animation techniques in 4 short film blocks.

Panorama 1: Tue, May 2, Gloria 1, 11 pm
Panorama 2: Wed, May 3, Gloria 1, 11 pm
Panorama 3: Thu, May 4, Gloria 1, 11 pm
Panorama 4: Fri, May 5, Gloria 1, 11 pm

Best of Animation

Best of Animation programmes give you the opportunity to see an exclusive selection of the most interesting and remarkable animated films of the last 25 years compiled and presented by Daniel Šuljić, Animation filmmaker and Head of Animafest Zagreb.

Best of Animation 1: Wed, May 3, Gloria 1, 7 pm
Best of Animation 2: Thu, May 4, Gloria 1, 7 pm
Best of Animation 3: Fri, May 5, Gloria 1, 7 pm
Best of Animation 4: Sat, May 6, Gloria 1, 7 pm

In Persona

In the In Persona programmes, outstanding animators of international renown grant insight into their work and and answer audience questions.

• Joanna Priestley (Portland):
  Wed, May 3, Metropol 2, 8 pm (short film programme)
  North of Blue: Fri, May 5, Metropol 3, 7 pm (feature film)
• Katrin Magnitz (Hamburg): Thu, May 4, Metropol 3, 7 pm
• Paul Barritt (London): Thu, May 4, Metropol 2, 8 pm
• Bruno Bozzetto (Bergamo):
• Signor Rossi e molto più: Fri, May 5, Metropol 2, 6 pm (short film programme)
  Allegro Non Troppo: Fri, May 5, Metropol 3, 9 pm  (feature film)
  Bozzetto Non Troppo: Sat, May 6, Metropol 3, 9 pm (documentary, 85 min.)
• Rob Valley (Vancouver): Fri, May 5, Metropol 1, 10 pm
• Ann Marie Fleming (Toronto): Sat, May 6, Metropol 2, 6 pm
• Daniel Šuljić (Zagreb/Vienna): Sat, May 6, Gloria 2, 9 pm

Animated Music Videos

Music videos are classics, art and culture at the same time. The DEFA Foundation presents musical films from its archives in collaboration with jazzopen Stuttgart, we present a selection of the most current animated music videos Prof. Dr. Holger Lund curates the programmes “What’s left? Critisism of digital life in hyperdigital music videos”

Emotion & Stimulans: Music in animated films of DEFA: Wed, May 3, Metropol 3, 7 pm
Best Animated Music Videos: Thu, May 4, Metropol 1, 10 pm
What’s left? Critisism of digital life in hyperdigital music videos: Fri, May 5, Metropol 2, 10 pm

Animated Commercials – in between avantgarde and communication

Animated Commercials gives an overview about the history and present of animated commercials, which took up artistic influences and technologicals innovations from the beginnings. In addition there will be the actual short list of Animated Com Award International.

Animated Commercials 1: Wed,May 3, Metropol 3, 9 pm
Animated Commercials 2: Thu, May 4, Metropol 3, 9 pm

Focus on Croatia

This year our focus is on Croatia. Experience the special animated world of Croatia in two short film programmes and meet the creative people of croatias animation scene at the studio- and school presentations.

Best of Animafest Zagreb: Thu, May 4, Metropol 3, 11 pm
Best of Croatian Animation: Sat, May 6, Metropol 3, 7 pm
studio presentation – animation studios from Croatia: Fri, May 5, Metropol 2, 4 pm
school presentation – Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb: Fri, May 5, Metropol 2, 5 pm

Animated Oscars

Member of the Academy Ron Diamond presents all awarded and nominated aimated short films from this year’s Academy Awards “Oscar” and talks about dream factory.

Fri, May 5, Metropol 2, 8 pm

Animation around Europe 1-2

Join us through a journey of Europe’s animation scene and watch three programmes with selected short films from Portugal and Poland.

Best of Portuguese Animation 1: Wed, May 3, Metropol 2, 10 pm
Best of Portuguese Animation 2: Thu, May 4, Metropol 2, 10 pm
O!PLA Across the Borders – Animation from Poland: Fri, May 5, Metropol 3, 11 pm

The BW-Reel: Best of Baden-Württemberg

As in previous years, the Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film presents the best short films from Baden-Württemberg. See for yourself that animation filmmakers from the region need not shy away from international comparison.

Sat, May 6, Gloria 1, 5 pm // Fri, May 5, Metropol 2, 8 pm

Hommage Fjodor Chitruk

To the 100 birthday of Fjodor Chitruk (†2012) we dedicated the master of russian animation two special film programmes: In both of them we see a documentary of the work of the animator and director, accompanied by Chitruks best short films.

…To Be Everything: Sat, May 6, Metropol 2, 8 pm
The Spirit of Genius: Sun, May 7, Metropol 3, 3 pm

Animation history: The Walt Disney Film Archives

In five programmes, Animation History turns back time from 1921 to 1968: Watch the most beautiful moments of Walt Disney, with Snow White, Mogli and other heroes of our childhood. Curated and presented by film critic and author of the book “The Walt Disney Film Archives“ Daniel Kothenschulte.

Sat, May 6, Metropol 2, 10 pm

Cult Night 1-2

Crazy, coulorful and cult night! Turner Broadcasting shows the best episodes of animated series of adult broadcast Adult Swim and Zappa  Animator Bruce Bickford snatchs you into his bizarre world of dough animation.

Adult Swim Special: Sat, May 6, Gloria 2, 11 pm
Bruce Bickford Underground: Sat, May 6, Gloria 1, 11 pm

Prix Ars Electronica

Prix Ars Electronica honours creations, that takes new ways in animation – wether in art, science, research, developement or industry: Discover the creative spectrum of animation.

Sun, May 7, Metropol 2, 6 pm

Cartoon D’Or

Cartoon d’Or honours the best euopean animated short films of the year. Watch the nominees and winners of the this year.

Sun, May 7, Metropol 2, 8 pm

ETHEL & ERNEST

Roger Mainwood // Great Britain, Luxembourg 2016, 95 Min.

Based on the book of 1998 by the acclaimed British author and illustrator, Raymond Briggs, this hand-drawn, animated feature film tells the true story of Brigg’s parents – Ethel and Ernest – two ordinary Londoners living through a period of extraordinary events and immense social change. From the socially stratified 1920s to the moon landing of 1969, the film depicts the most defining moments of the 20th Century.

AniMovie 1: Wed, May 3, Metropol 1, 8 pm

REVENGEANCE

Bill Plympton, Jim Lujan // USA 2016, 70 Min.

A low-rent bounty hunter named Rod Rosse “The One Man Posse” gets entangled in a web of danger when he is hired by U.S. Senator “Deathface” to find the girl who stole a package.

AniMovie 3: Thu, May 4, Metropol 1, 8 pm

BIRDS LIKE US

Faruk Sabanovic, Co-Director: Amela Cuhara // Bosnia-Herzegovina 2017, 94 Min.

Based on the masterpiece “The Conference of Birds” by the Persian mystic Fariduddin Attar from the 12th century, the film follows a colorful group of birds on their journey to find happiness. “Birds Like Us” is the first animation film ever produced in Bosnia.
Experience the world premiere with the music of Peter Gabriel and the voices of Alicia Vikander (Huppu) and Oskar Prize winner Jeremy Irons (Mi and Kondor).

AniMovie 5: Fri, May 5, Metropol 1, 8 pm

IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD

Sunao Katabuchi // Japan 2016, 130 Min.

Suzu Urano lives together with her family in the harbor town of Kure. As a naval base, Kure was hit by bomb attacks in 1945. With courage and perseverance, Suzu manages to continue to live life to the fullest.

AniMovie 7: Sat, May 6, Metropol 1, 8 pm

HOWARD LOVECRAFT AND THE FROZEN KINGDOM

Sean Patrick O’Reilly // Canada 2016, 83 Min.

After visiting his father in Arkham Sanitarium, young Howard Lovecraft ignores his father’s warning and uses the legendary Necronomicon to open a portal to a strange frozen world filled with horrifying creatures and grave danger.

AniMovie 8: Sat, May 6, Metropol 1, 11 pm

WINDOW HORSES

Ann Marie Fleming // Canada 2016, 88 Min.

Rosie Ming, a young Canadian poet, is invited to perform at a poetry festival in Shiraz, Iran, but she’d rather go to Paris. She lives at home with her over-protective Chinese grandparents and has never been anywhere by herself. Once in Iran, she finds herself in the company of poets and Persians who tell her stories that force her to confront her past: the Iranian father she assumed abandoned her and the nature of poetry itself. The film is about building bridges between cultural and generational divides. It’s about being curious. Staying open. And finding your own voice through the magic of poetry.

AniMovie 9: Sun, May 7, Metropol 2, 4 pm

OZZY (FROM 4 YEARS ONWARDS)

Alberto Rodríguez, Nacho La Casa // Spain, Canada 2016, 90 Min.

The idyllic life of beagle Ozzy is about to be turned upside down, when his family can’t take him on a long trip away from home, they leave him in what seems to be the best canine spa.

AniMovie 2 / Kids (from 4 years onwards): Tur, May 4, Metropol 1, 5 pm

BIG FISH & BEGONIA (FROM 5 YEARS ONWARDS)

Xuan Liang, Chun Zhang // China 2016, 95 Min.

„Big Fish & Begonia“ tells the story of a deity, in the form of the young girl Chun who seeks adventure in the human world, as a dolphin.

AniMovie 4 / Kids (from 5 years onwards): Fri, May 5, Metropol 1, 5 pm

RICHARD THE STORK (FROM 4 YEARS ONWARDS)

Toby Genkel, Reza Memari // Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway 2017, 80 Min.

Orphaned at birth and raised by storks, the sparrow Richard believes he is one of them. But when the time comes to migrate to Africa, his stork family is forced to reveal his true identity and leave him behind in the forest. Determined to prove he is a stork after all, Richard ventures south on his own. (german language version)

AniMovie 6 / Kids (from 4 years onwards): Sat, May 6, Metropol 1, 5 pm

Short Films

Tricks for Kids Spezial: Revolting Rhymes

Roald Dahls story based on classic fairy tales is adapted and animated by the creators of „The Grueffelo”. Die well-known fairy tale of Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood or Cinderella will get to know a surprising twist. The end of the story is different then we know it.

Revolting Rhymes (aged 6 years or older):
Wed, May 3, Metropol 1, 5 pm. The filmmakers looking forward to tell more about the making of.

The best series: „Otto der Straßenhund“, „Kleiner Dodo“ & Co.

A selection of the loveliest German animated series from Cartoon-Film.

Hommage Thilo Graf Rothkirch (aged 4 years or older): Thu, May 4, Metropol 3, 3 pm

cinema premiere: Meine Schmusedecke

Something sensational happens on a patchwork blanket with animal prints: The animals awake! Here is enough space for all who like to batch in mud, to jjuggling with cheese balls, sing crooked or have fleas. Cinema premiere of the beautifl anmated series by  Angela Steffen and Studio FILM BILDER – for the little ones, their prents and siblings.

Meine Schmusedecke (ages 3 years or older): Sat, May 6, Metropol 2, 2 pm

AniMovie Kids (feature film competition)

OZZY (FROM 4 YEARS ONWARDS)

Alberto Rodríguez, Nacho La Casa // Spain, Canada 2016, 90 Min.

The idyllic life of beagle Ozzy is about to be turned upside down, when his family can’t take him on a long trip away from home, they leave him in what seems to be the best canine spa.

AniMovie 2 / Kids (from 4 years onwards): Tur, May 4, Metropol 1, 5 pm

BIG FISH & BEGONIA (FROM 5 YEARS ONWARDS)

Xuan Liang, Chun Zhang // China 2016, 95 Min.

„Big Fish & Begonia“ tells the story of a deity, in the form of the young girl Chun who seeks adventure in the human world, as a dolphin.

AniMovie 4 / Kids (from 5 years onwards): Fri, May 5, Metropol 1, 5 pm

RICHARD THE STORK (FROM 4 YEARS ONWARDS)

Toby Genkel, Reza Memari // Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway 2017, 80 Min.

Orphaned at birth and raised by storks, the sparrow Richard believes he is one of them. But when the time comes to migrate to Africa, his stork family is forced to reveal his true identity and leave him behind in the forest. Determined to prove he is a stork after all, Richard ventures south on his own. (german language version)

AniMovie 6 / Kids (from 4 years onwards): Sat, May 6, Metropol 1, 5 pm

Feature Films out of competition

TOBIAS TOTZ UND SEIN LÖWE (FROM 4 YEARS ONWARDS)

Thilo Graf Rothkirch, Piet de Rycker // Germany 1999, 75 Min.

Tobias Totz is a very special zookeeper. He is very understanding towards his animals, and they all love him. His best friend is the lion, who dreams day and night about falling in love and being up on Cloud Nine. But there are no lionesses in the zoo, so Tobias makes a spontaneous decision to fly to Africa and find the lion a girlfriend. (german language version)

Hommage Thilo Graf Rothkirch (from 4 years onwards): Wed, May 3, Metropol 3, 3 pm

LAURAS STERN (FROM 4 YEARS ONWARDS)

Thilo Graf Rothkirch, Piet de Rycker // Germany 2004, 77 Min.

Laura finds it difficult to make new friends after having moved to another town. But then she finds a little star which has fallen from the sky. She lovingly mends the little star’s leg – the beginning of a phantastic friendship. (german language version)

Homage Thilo Graf Rothkirch (from 4 years onwards): Sat, May 6, Metropol 3, 3 pm

PSYCHONAUTS, THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN

Pedro Rivero, Alberto Vázquez // Spain 2015, 75 Min.

On an island in the middle of the ocean: After an ecological disaster, Birdboy and Dinky have to cope with the situation. The winner of the AniMovie 2016 dives with powerful and gloomy images into the soulscape of a lost generation. As an entry, Pedro Rivero shows his short film “Birdboy” (12 min.).

Wed, May 3, Metropol 1, 10 pm

SPECIAL PREVIEW: NORTH OF BLUE

Joanna Priestley // USA 2017, 60 Min.

Academy member Joanna Priestley, who is also dedicated to an In Persona program this year, presents her abstract animation film “North of Blue” at the ITFS for the first time in an exclusive preview.

Fri, May 5, Metropol 3, 7 pm

ALLEGRO NON TROPPO

Bruno Bozzetto // Italy 1976, 85 Min.

The classic drawing series spins enchanting episodes around classical compositions by Debussy, Dvorák, Ravel, Sibelius, Vivaldi and Strawinsky. To Ravel’s “Bolero” new life comes from a drop of Coke and to the “Valse Triste” of Sibelius we experience the story of a
little lonely cat.

Fri, May 5, Metropol 3, 9 pm

FIVE

Max Hattler // Hong Kong 2016, 57 Min.

With this animation film Max Hattler created together with students an abstract visualization of Gustav Mahler’s 5th Symphony.

Sat, May 6, Metropol 3, 11 pm