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Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) 2026 Edition Now Open for Submissions
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ITFS is one of the premier animation festivals in Europe
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International animators and studios invited to submit their work
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Grand Prix, honours the best in international competition
It’s a case of ‘Lights, Camera, Animation!’ folks, as the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) is back, and it’s waving its submission door wide open like a bear trying to catch salmon at the top of a waterfall! If you’ve got a knack for 3D wizardry or the inked arts, this is your moment to shine, and yes, finger-puppet animation counts too.
ITFS, the grand ‘Cannes’ of animation festivals, is inviting animators worldwide to take part in their 2026 edition. It’s a bit like Willy Wonka’s golden ticket invitation, but instead of chocolate, it offers an astounding sweep into the world of animation.
The main highlight? The Grand Prix! This is the crown jewel at the festival – a coveted award that honours the best of the best in animation. So, if you’ve got an animated masterpiece under your bed and you are ready to taste animation glory, submit it now, it may just be your time.
Hot Take
Dust off those old animation ideas folks, the Stuttgart animated film festival is back, bigger, and let’s hope not too dependent on Germany’s famed beer to queue up those creative juices! Challenges may appear tougher than a stubborn mustard stain on a white shirt, but never fear: if you’ve been sleeping on a golden 3D animation film because you were too busy binge-watching old Disney films, now’s the time to take action. Who knows, your film could be the next big thing, fetching you animation glory and perhaps even a lifetime supply of popcorn (if only movie popcorn weren’t so abnormally expensive, am I right?). So get those creative gears grinding, and remember, the Stuttgart festival awaits your masterpiece… let the animated games begin!
Join the Prestigious Stuttgart International Animation Festival 2026: Call for Submissions Now Open!
Calling all filmmakers and animation studios across the globe! Here’s your chance to showcase your work at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) 2026, one of Europe’s most significant animation festivals happening from May 5th – 10th, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany.
With total prize money exceeding €50,000, the Grand Prix at the International Competition even allows your winning film to qualify for the Academy Awards® longlist. It’s time to get started on your submissions across five exciting competition categories!
Categories, Competitions, & Submission Deadlines
Deadline for Short Film Competitions: November 15, 2025
- International Competition – Showcasing the best of animated shorts worldwide
- Student Competition – A platform for students and their excellent animated shorts
- Tricks for Kids – The best in animation for children in shorts and series format
- Trickstar Nature Award – Animation that inspires thoughts about nature and our environment
Deadline for Feature Film Competition AniMovie: January 15, 2026
- Highlighting the best in animated feature films (60 minutes or longer)
How to Submit
To submit your film, visit the online platform Shortfilmdepot. Detailed regulations and forms are available on the ITFS website. The project submissions portal will be open from November 2025 on the festival’s website.
For detailed information about the submission process at ITFS, please visit our website.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/call-for-entries-submit-your-films-now-for-itfs-2026/