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Animation meets Innovation at ITFS
Entries for the Trickstar Business Award 2027 are now open to national and international projects and companies. With this competition, the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) recognises pioneering national and international business concepts for the animation industry. The prize is worth 7,500 euros, the deadline for entries is 15 February 2027. Following a public pitch by the nominees, the winning projects will be announced at the awards ceremony on 1 May 2027.
The Trickstar Business Award recognises business models and ideas that open up innovative approaches for the planning, production or exploitation of animation projects, for example through new financing models, forward-looking or unconventional technologies, or creative concepts for the use and marketing of rights. The competition is open to both national and international projects and companies and is sponsored by the Verband Region Stuttgart. Innovative projects taking part in the co-production market (APD, 27 to 29 April 2027) may also be submitted for the Trickstar Business Award.
An independent jury of experts will assess the submissions based on the degree of innovation in the business model, market viability and competitiveness, the quality and feasibility of the business plan, and the qualifications and experience of the team. Two to three shortlisted teams will then have the opportunity to present their business model or innovative concept at the ITFS in Stuttgart: on Friday, 30 April 2027, they will present their concepts in a public pitch followed by a Q&A session at the festival, in front of the jury and an interested audience. The winning project will be honoured on 1 May 2027 at the ITFS awards ceremony. Full terms and conditions of entry and the link to submit entries can be found on the ITFS website: https://itfs.de/en/professionals_talents/submit/.
Trickstar Business Award 2026: How 3D Animation is opening up new Markets
The Trickstar Business Award 2026 went to the Atomedge project from Cape Town (South Africa). The team led by Managing Director Guy van der Walt develops hyper-realistic 3D anatomical models of the human body, which are used in VR and AR games, illustration and film production, amongst other things, but above all in medical research and anatomical training. The jury was impressed not only by the precision of the models, but also by the B2B focus, a well-thought-out market strategy featuring apps and accompanying media for the consumer market, and the thorough market analysis.
“Being awarded the prestigious title of Best Innovative and Groundbreaking Business Model is a tremendous recognition of our unique approach to solving the industry problem of where to source trustworthy medical 3D content. The award gave us a platform to showcase the groundbreaking work we’re doing, and ultimately serves as a testament to the value our team adds through its meticulous and measured approach in an age of AI shortcuts”, says Atomedge founder Guy van der Walt.
With the Trickstar Business Award, the ITFS is strengthening the entrepreneurial outlook of an industry whose innovative power extends far beyond cinema and film. Together with the Animation Production Days, the festival creates a space for new business models, international networking and the exchange of ideas on the economic prospects of animation.
In addition to the Trickstar Business Award, further competitions are open for entries: International animated short films can be submitted for ITFS 2027 until 15 November 2026, whilst feature-length films can be submitted until 15 January 2027. Game developers based in Germany are also invited to submit their latest game for the Animated Games Award Germany by 7 February 2027. Further information: https://itfs.de/en/professionals_talents/submit/.
Contact:
Lena Demmer
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Phone: +49 (0) 170 232 46 67
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