Interactive Animation for Everyone
The GameZone at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film
The Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) is opening the free GameZone, an interactive space dedicated to games, artistic animation and digital storytelling, at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart. From 6 to 10 May, the GameZone will offer a diverse programme featuring the nominees for the Animated Games Award Germany, games from Baden-Württemberg for children and families, and contributions from universities, complemented by talks and presentations.
As part of the ITFS, Stuttgart will once again become an international hub for the animation industry from 5 to 10 May. With the accompanying GameZone, the ITFS showcases the full spectrum of animation and, alongside the open-air event on Schlossplatz, offers another open space to experience culture free of charge. In two rooms at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, the ITFS invites visitors to discover and try out the latest games, creative projects and new forms of digital storytelling. The GameZone is aimed at gaming fans as well as families with children and young people who want to immerse themselves in the world of animation, games and digital art in a playful way. Just like the films at the festival, the games on display impress with their artistic merit and special animation techniques. A ticket for the Staatsgalerie collection is included with free admission to the GameZone.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 6–9 May: 11 am–8 pm; Sunday, 10 May: 11 am–5 pm
Animated Games Award Germany: The Nominees
The focus of the GameZone is on the five games nominated for the Animated Games Award Germany, which can be tried out in the Säulensaal – these include adventure games, simulations and platformers. With this competition, the ITFS awards € 5,000 (donated by the Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg, MFG Games BW funding) each year to a German game featuring the most interesting and best animation.
This year’s nominees are:
- CONSTANCE
- SPINDLE
- THE BERLIN APARTMENT
- THE DARKEST FILES
- TINY BOOKSHOP
Descriptions of the games are attached
GameZone Extended: Try, learn, immerse
With GameZone extended, the festival broadens its focus to the next generation of games and animation creators: universities will showcase the work of their students and graduates in the Säulensaal. Participating institutions include the Stuttgart Media University (HdM), the Merz Academy, the Film Academy Baden-Württemberg and Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. Among other things, the exhibition features games from GameZone extended, which emerged from the 72-hour HdM PlayFusion Game Jam. The exhibition is complemented by further interactive installations that can be tried out free of charge.
In cooperation with MFG Baden-Württemberg and Games BW, the GameZone presents a range of age-appropriate digital games for young and old to try out. The selection includes award-winning games developed locally in Baden-Württemberg and demonstrates the region’s strength in this sector. Among those taking part are the Stuttgart-based studio Seufz with the two games THE LONGING (Special Mention at the Animated Games Award Germany 2019) and LUCKY TOWER, as well as TILT PACK from Studio Navel in Ludwigsburg, which was awarded the German Computer Game Award in the ‘Best Family Game’ category.
Alongside this, short presentations and discussions will take place in the Metzler Hall from Thursday to Saturday as part of the Game Talks, offering insights into the production, development, design and ideas behind the games, interactive projects and current work-in-progress projects on display. The currently relevant topic of AI image generation and how it is changing our perception of reality will also be discussed in the workshop talk ‘Machine Vision: Power, Myth and Manipulation of AI Images’ on 7 May.
Workshops and Special Events
Open Stage Games BW goes ITFS opens the GameZone on Wednesday 6 May at 7 pm, providing an open platform for the games scene in south-west Germany. The event brings together various industry stakeholders and creates a space for discussion, networking and new ideas. Following short presentations from the scene, the stage will be open to everyone. Developers will also have the opportunity to gather direct feedback on their games from industry professionals at the test station. A networking session afterwards will provide further opportunities to connect.
The event is aimed at cultural and creative professionals, founders, freelancers and small business owners from the games and creative industries, and is free of charge. It is organised by MFG Baden-Württemberg, Games Baden-Württemberg, the CyberForum, the K³ Office for the Cultural and Creative Industries of the City of Karlsruhe and the Film Commission Region Stuttgart, and is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts. Registration is required by 5 May 2026: https://itfs.de/show/open-stage-games-bw/
Edutain Me invites media educators, developers and teachers from Baden-Württemberg to join on Friday, 8 May 2026 at 2 pm to learn more about the latest developments in the field of educational games. Featuring best-practice examples of digital learning games (including the nominated THE BERLIN APARTMENT) and their potential applications, the event offers inspiration for educational work and encourages participants to rethink education and discover digital games as an innovative tool. A collaborative project between the ITFS and the Landesanstalt für Kommunikation Baden-Württemberg (LFK). Registration by 7 May 2026 via email: nazryqhat@srfgviny-tzou.qr
On Sunday, 10 May at 2 pm, children and families can get creative in the Makey Makey workshop in cooperation with Mobile Medienschule Stuttgart Ost (MoMO): using bananas, aluminium foil and modelling clay, they will create game controllers that can be used to play computer games.
Contact:
Lena Demmer
Head of Communications & Marketing
Phone: +49 (0) 170 232 46 67
E-Mail: xbzzhavxngvba@srfgviny-tzou.qr
Appendix Animated Games Award Germany:
CONSTANCE
Developer: Robert May, Blue Backpack / Publisher: ByteRockers’ Games
USK 12
CONSTANCE is a hand-drawn 2D action-adventure game about a brush-wielding artist trying to escape her crumbling inner world. The player becomes the paint, develops new brush techniques and creates sketches – always in close connection with Constance’s psychological development.
SPINDLE
Developer: Tom Bleek, Wobble Ghost / Publisher: Deck13 Spotlight
USK 6
An old-school action-adventure inspired by classic Zelda games. The player takes on the role of Death and receives help from a little pig to recover the five lost powers of Death. In the meantime, these powers are causing considerable damage amongst humans.
THE BERLIN APARTMENT
Developer: Robert May, Blue Backpack / Publisher: ByteRockers’ Games
USK 12
A handyman is commissioned to renovate an old Berlin flat. As the renovation work progresses, he delves ever deeper into the flat’s history and experiences the turning points in the lives of its residents over the course of a whole century – all within the same four walls.
THE DARKEST FILES
Developer: Jörg Friedrich, Paintbucket Games / Publisher: Paintbucket Games
USK 12
Germany in the 1950s. The player takes on the role of Esther Katz, a young public prosecutor investigating Nazi crimes on behalf of Fritz Bauer. She interviews witnesses, gathers evidence and brings perpetrators to justice. A historical investigative and courtroom drama based on real cases.
TINY BOOKSHOP
Developer: David Zapfe-Wildemann, neoludic Games / Publisher: Skystone Games
USK 6
Fancy leaving everyday life behind and heading to the seaside? You can in TINY BOOKSHOP: The player opens a bookshop in a small coastal town. To do so, you must collect second-hand books, find a suitable spot for your mobile trailer, decorate the shop and get to know the quirky locals and their reading habits.