ITFS (the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film), one of the most important international animation film festivals, will be held from 6th to 11th May this year.
For your preparation to make the most out of ITFS 2025, we provide a summary on what to expect at the upcoming festival. We present this information as an interview with Andrea Bauer (Head of Programme of the festival) and Annegret Richter (Artistic Director of the festival).
Interview with Andrea Bauer and Annegret Richter
Hideki Nagaishi (HN): For people who are thinking of participating in ITFS 2025, especially those new to the festival, could you please explain the role or meaning and characteristics of ITFS in the global animation industry, in brief?
Andrea Bauer: The Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) is one of the most significant festivals for animated films worldwide and the largest in Germany. It serves as a central hub for filmmakers, industry professionals, and animation enthusiasts to explore and discuss global trends and innovations. As a showcase for German animation, ITFS presents its creativity, diversity, and artistic excellence to a broad international audience.
The festival offers a diverse film programme with various competition sections highlighting contemporary works from around the world. Premieres are a key aspect, such as The Square by Bo-sol Kim, a South Korean feature exploring love amidst political turmoil in North Korea, and Hola Frida!, a poetic portrayal of Frida Kahlo’s childhood. Both films will be presented by their directors.
Networking and creative exchange are at the heart of ITFS, with around 60% of competition films accompanied by their creators—particularly high in the International Competition and Student Competition. Esteemed guests include Florence Miailhe, Osbert Parker, Sean Pecknold, Martin Smatana, and Izabela Plucińska.
ITFS is renowned for its prestigious awards, offering over €50,000 in prize money, including Oscar-qualification for the International Competition winner. Supporting emerging talent is a priority, reflected in the Student Competition with two major awards: the Award for the best student film (€4,000) and the Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award (€10,000) for the best graduation film.
Annegret Richter: ITFS is a central meeting point for the animation industry, fostering collaboration through its integration with Animation Production Days (APD) and FMX – Film & Media Exchange, which together form the Stuttgart Animated Week. This unique combination of festival, conference, and co-production market attracts professionals worldwide, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and advancing the global animation landscape. In addition, ITFS also serves a premier platform for showcasing German Animation, promoting the country’s creative talent and storytelling in animated films. ITFS is the place to be for industry people, besides Annecy.
New this year: We are introducing a Professional Afternoon (Thursday, 9th May, 2 PM) at the Festival Centre. Among others there are networking events, projects competing for the Trickstar Business Award, ability to pitch to industry professionals, and ending the day with the AniX Awards ceremony at 7 PM where we announce the winners of the screenplay awards and the €7,500 Trickstar Business Award, funded by the Stuttgart Region Association.
HN: ITFS is held with a diverse set of programmes each year. What were the highlights of ITFS 2025 from your viewpoint?
Andrea Bauer: ITFS 2025 offers a rich programme highlighting innovative animation from around the world, with a special focus on Switzerland. The spotlight includes a masterclass by puppet animation expert Claude Barras featuring his film Savages and an exhibition of its puppets and sets. Filmmaker Maja Gehrig presents an In Persona programme showcasing her stylistically diverse short films, reflecting her passion for animation.
Swiss animation’s broad spectrum is further displayed through curated short and feature film programmes, as well as studio presentations. Additionally, Michael Frei and Simon De Diesbach will share their creative journeys from animated film to video games and immersive projects.
The GameZone is expanding to a new location, featuring nominees for the Animated Games Award Germany, interactive projects from regional academies, and the results of an international Game Jam held just before the festival. This year’s GameZone promises a unique blend of art, animation, and gaming in an engaging environment.
Annegret Richter: Our festival program offers a wide range of highlights. If I have to decide, our AniMovie Competition features outstanding feature films such as Memory Hotel, a German stop motion film, Pelikan Blue, A Boat in the Garden, Olivia & the Clouds from Dominican Republic and The Square, as well as the wonder family film Hola Frida!. The last two films will also premiere in Stuttgart.
Additionally, there will be masterclasses with renowned animators such as the German artists Raimund Krumme, Sean Pecknold, and Will Becher from Aardman Studios. A special highlight is our preview of Rick and Morty season 8 and our Animation Nightmare Night Special, featuring Robert Morgan’s films e.g. Stopmotion. This diverse lineup of films and events makes the festival an unforgettable experience for animation enthusiasts.
This is also reflected in the current competition programmes of Tricks for Kids and the International Competition. And we are very happy that Olga Bobrowska from the StopTrik Festival (Łódź and Maribor) is putting together two programmes for the ‘Focus on Stop Motion’ with a Best-of and historical puppet animation films.
Our Border(less) Films for Democracy and Freedom program is deeply rooted in the historical significance of 8th May, marking 80 years since the end of World War II in Germany, and 9th May, commemorating the Schuman Declaration—the foundation of the European Union. These anniversaries underline our commitment to exploring themes of borders, freedom, democracy, and peace, especially in today’s uncertain times.
HN: What were your impressions of the submitted films to ITFS 2025? Did you find any trends in the films gathered for ITFS 2025?
Andrea Bauer: The quality of submissions to ITFS 2025 was outstanding, with a remarkable diversity of storytelling approaches—ranging from personal, introspective narratives to bold, politically charged stories. Handcrafted techniques like stop-motion and hand-drawn animation were notably present, offering a rich contrast to purely digital works.
We were impressed by the strong presence of high-quality films for both adult audiences and families, demonstrating animation’s power to transcend traditional boundaries.
Particularly impressive competition entries include Memory Hotel by Heinrich Sabl, featuring atmospheric sets and uniquely designed puppets, Olivia & the Clouds from the Dominican Republic with its magical visual diversity, A Boat in the Garden by French director Jean-François Laguionie, and Pelikan Blue from Hungary, an animated documentary balancing entertainment and artistic depth.
Additionally, two special films will be shown out of competition: the anime A Few Moments of Cheers and the punk rock opera (S)KiDS —both ideal for young adults but appealing to broader audiences.
Annegret Richter: We weren’t wrong to focus on stop motion, as this year’s submissions also included many stop motion films. We like to see this as a countermovement to the highly digitized and AI films. In means of topics, this year’s submission for International Competition featured many films that centered on themes of waiting and slowness, demanding patience and reflection from viewers. Several films used minimalistic storytelling techniques to highlight subtle emotions and moments, creating a meditative viewing experience. Among the most striking elements were plastic bags, which appeared as silent protagonists in some of the films. These objects added layers of meaning to the narratives, reflecting themes of environmental awareness and human detachment.
[additional info: With a total of 2,500 submissions, the festival 2025 received almost 250 more submissions than the previous year, 700 of which were for the International Competition alone, 30 of which were selected.]
HN: Would you like to provide a message to animation students and professionals who plan to attend ITFS 2025?
Andrea Bauer: For animation students and professionals attending ITFS 2025, I encourage you to explore the special programmes designed for accredited visitors. Highlights include Making of Flow with animator Thibaut Delahaye, and an exclusive Making of Stitch Head presentation by Steve Hudson, Oliver Finkelde, and David Nasser, offering insights into this acclaimed graphic novel adaptation set for theatrical release in November.
Another must-see is The Light of Aisha, a Spanish-German co-production directed by Shadi Adib, showcasing how ITFS helped bring her project to life. The Work in Progess section will present six new animated short films and series projects in development, offering opportunities for networking, collaboration, and financing.
Additionally, masterclasses and studio presentations will provide valuable insights into current trends, suitable for both students and experienced professionals. Don’t miss the school presentations, showcasing the best works from emerging talents worldwide.
Annegret Richter: For deeper industry integration, the new Professional Afternoon at ITFS, also aimed at APD participants, prioritises the connection between creatives and producers. Evening events like the AniX Awards with the Trickstar Business Award and two screenplay awards celebrate innovation while fostering recognition among peers. With access to exclusive premieres, VR experiences, and masterclasses rarely available outside the festival circuit, Stuttgart’s unique ecosystem—combining ITFS screenings, APDs’ deal-making, and FMX’s tech insights—creates unparalleled opportunities to connect with international leaders from studios, academia, and streaming platforms. With high-value awards and a concentration of filmic diversity, the festival is a career catalyst for emerging and established animators alike.
