Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film 2025 Announces Call for Entries
The 32nd Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) is set to take place from 6 to 11 May 2025, continuing its legacy as a premier global event in the animation industry. The festival is now calling for entries, inviting filmmakers from around the world to submit their animated works starting 1 September 2024. This marks the official beginning of the journey towards what promises to be another remarkable edition of the festival.
The ITFS is recognized for its emphasis on artistic animated films and its dedication to nurturing young talent. In 2025, the festival will award over €45,000 in prizes across five main competition categories, offering significant opportunities for emerging and established filmmakers alike.
For the short film competitions, which include the International Competition, Student Competition, Tricks for Kids, and Trickstar Nature Award, the submission deadline is 15 November 2024. Filmmakers aiming to participate in the AniMovie competition, dedicated to feature-length animated films, have until 15 January 2025 to submit their works. All submissions will be managed through the online platform Shortfilmdepot, where filmmakers can also find detailed regulations and registration forms.
The festival plays a crucial role in the international animation community, serving as a meeting place for industry professionals, while also attracting a broad regional audience. Each year, ITFS transforms Stuttgart into a vibrant hub of animation, offering a wide range of events from public screenings in open-air cinemas to specialized industry conferences. The festival’s diverse programming ensures that there is something for everyone, from blockbuster screenings to indie film showcases, and even a dedicated GameZone for gaming enthusiasts.
As the 2025 edition approaches, the festival organizers are focused on curating a strong selection of contemporary animated films. The selection process begins in the winter, with pre-selection committees reviewing all entries. By March, the final lineup for the five competitions will be decided. In 2024, ITFS received 2,206 film submissions from 74 countries, with 129 short films and six feature-length films ultimately selected to compete.
The festival's impact extends beyond its official dates. Each autumn, the ITFS Animation Tour brings the best films from the festival to a global audience. The 2025 tour, starting in October, will feature three curated programs: Best of ITFS, Best of Tricks for Kids, and Trickstar Nature Award, all available for free rental to cinemas, cultural events, and other non-profit organizations until September 2026.
With its combination of festival events, industry conferences, and networking opportunities, ITFS remains a cornerstone of the animation world, drawing thousands of professionals to Stuttgart each year. The festival also runs concurrently with Animation Production Days (APD) and the FMX – Film and Media Exchange conference, making it an unparalleled event for those in the field.
Photos and additional insights from ITFS 2024, providing a glimpse into the festival's vibrant atmosphere, are available for viewing on Flickr. As the submission period for ITFS 2025 begins, filmmakers worldwide are encouraged to seize the opportunity to be part of this prestigious event.