Highlights at the Cinema and at the Open Air
Feature Film Highlights at ITFS 2026
Animation for adults can do anything, be anything and push boundaries. That is why, alongside films for children and families, we are presenting special highlights this year for (young) adult audiences such as:
LIGHT PILLAR | Wed, 6 May | 8 pm | Gloria 2
The quiet odd-job worker Lao Zha keeps the run-down film town of East West Studios afloat with casual labour. When he is given a VR headset instead of wages, he immerses himself in a virtual world – and encounters a woman who touches his heart. Yet his hope for a new life leads him into a deceptively real illusion. Suitable for ages 14 and up.
THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED | Fri, 8 May | 6:30 pm | Gloria 1
Members of the SWR Symphony Orchestra accompany Lotte Reiniger’s 1926 silhouette film live, adding a new musical dimension to its artistic figures and fairytale imagery. Suitable for children aged 6 and up.
JINSEI | Sat, 9 May | 10:30 pm | Gloria 2
This anime tells the story of a quiet boy living in a residential district in Sendai who is bullied by his peers. One day, a chance encounter with an exchange student leads him to follow in his father’s footsteps – and his dream of becoming famous begins to come true.
Short Film and Series Highlights
The heart of our festival remains the competitions, featuring the world’s best animated short and feature films. In addition, ITFS presents outstanding short films and first-class series specials out of competition, for example:
SILHOUETTES IN LOTTE’S FOOTSTEPS 1 | Wed, 6 May | 3 pm | Cinema
A collection of short films playing with light and shadow by students from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF – stories full of lightness, wit and emotion that showcase the creative freedom of silhouette animation.
GERMAN ADULT ANIMATION SERIES | Wed, 6 May | 10:30 pm | Cinema
German production companies can do adult animation too – as demonstrated by the three series featured in this programme special.
ADULT SWIM’S RICK AND MORTY SEASON 9 PREVIEW AND MORE | Thu, 7 May | 6 pm | Gloria 1
Get ready to jump back into the multiverse with the galaxy’s favourite duo. Adult Swim presents the German premiere of RICK AND MORTY Season 9, along with an exclusive selection of popular episodes and specials.
Highlights at the Open Air Schlossplatz
Stuttgart’s largest public viewing event is back once again, bringing short and feature films for kids and families, blockbuster fans and independent cinephiles to the big screen – free of charge and under the open sky. Among the highlights:
DISNEY’S ZOOMANIA 2 | Thu, 7 May | 8:30 pm | Open Air Schlossplatz
The animal detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the trail of a mysterious reptile that turns Zootopia upside down. Going undercover, their partnership is put to the test. Suitable for children aged 6 and up.
THE LAST WHALE SINGER | Fri, 8 May | 8:30 pm | Open Air Schlossplatz
After losing his parents, Vincent, a young humpback whale, doubts he will ever learn the magical song needed to protect the oceans. When a fearsome sea creature threatens the underwater world, he faces his fears and sets off on a thrilling adventure with his friends. Suitable for children aged 6 and up.
FLEE | Sat, 9 May | 8:30 pm | Open Air Schlossplatz
For 20 years, Amin Nawabi has lived with a painful secret that threatens to unravel the life he has built for himself and his future husband. In this animated documentary, he shares his extraordinary story for the first time, recounting his escape from Afghanistan as a child. Suitable for ages 12 and up.
We connect the cultural scene: the new series ITFS Connects brings cultural practitioners from the region to the Open Air stage at Schlossplatz every day from Wednesday to Saturday at 5:30 pm. In collaboration with the Pop-Büro Region Stuttgart, we present the rappers Mausi G and Moneygirl on Wednesday and Friday, bringing powerful beats to the Open Air Schlossplatz.