Insights
ITFS for Professionals
Pure inspiration: our insights cover events aimed at industry representatives, young professionals and students, as well as anyone else who is interested.
Animation in all its facets: Our Insights offer a glimpse behind the scenes of current productions and renowned studios, including talks, presentations, workshops, panels and exhibitions. International experts share their know-how, and networking events create synergies that shape the future of the animation industry.
Five reasons to get an accreditation
Tickets1. Networking
Meet filmmakers from around the world and get to know studios and agencies. Award ceremonies, parties, the Professional Afternoon or the Festival Centre are the perfect places.
2. Inspiration
Gain insight into international animation projects, innovative techniques and current developments. Either at the cinema or during Master Classes, Making ofs, and Talks.
3. Visibility
Present your work to an international audience. Network within the industry and raise awareness for your work.
4. Development
For your career and your project: Take part in pitching formats and project presentations (e.g. at the Animation Production Days) for financing or further development.
5. Fun
Get to know and love Stuttgart and its people. Play in the GameZone. Watch endless films, celebrate with the award winners and enjoy an unforgettable open-air cinema experience.
Highlights at ITFS 2026
Focus on Silhouette Film
With this years’ focus, we pay tribute to the pioneer of animated film Lotte Reiniger and her style-defining animation technique. The occasion is this year’s anniversary: 100 years ago, on 2 May 1926, her film THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED premiered in Berlin – to this day, it is considered the world’s oldest existing feature-length animated film.
Learn about this fascinating animation technique, important contemporary representatives and current developments at ITFS 2026:
- Master Class Michel Ocelot (France)
- Master Class Jörg Hermann (Germany)
- Exhibition by students from Berlin and Nanyang at the Festival Centre
- AniMovie Special: Documentary LOTTE REINIGER – TANZ DER SCHATTEN (Lotte Reinger – Dance of Shadows) by Susanne Marschall
- Many more short and feature film programmes, talks and workshops
Highlights at ITFS 2026
Animation around the Globe
A small but strong animation scene has grown in the Netherlands in recent years. In addition to short film programmes and studio presentations, we are particularly looking forward to an In Persona with Hisko Hulsing, in which he presents and reflects on formative stages of his career.
Spotlight on Kenya: The flourishing creative scene in this East African country is producing exciting works, which we will get to know in making ofs, work-in-progress formats and short film programmes. Voline Oguto, a Kenyan director, is also represented on one of our film juries.
And Germany? As usual, we will be showing the most innovative and best that regional and national studios, universities and filmmakers currently have to offer in several German Animation programmes.
ITFS 2026
Even more Highlights
Weird and intense – animation for adults can do anything, is allowed to do anything and explores boundaries. In this context, we are looking forward to seeing Mark Taynton, Thomas Schneider-Trumpp and Vera Neubauer, among others.
Phil Mulloy‘s films are also provocative and take an unvarnished look at humanity. We honour the legendary British master of socially critical animation in a tribute programme.
Thursday at the Festival Centre is all about networking and inspiration: after pitches and presentations by the nominees in the afternoon, the Trickstar Business Award and the German Animation Screenplay Awards will be presented at the AniX Awards in the evening, followed by a get-together.
