Best of ITFS Stuttgart 2026

A curated program featuring the winning and highlight animated short films from the Stuttgart International Animated Film Festival (ITFS) 2026. A showcase of international creativity, storytelling, and groundbreaking animation techniques.

TIME | Max Mörtl, Robert Löbel | Germany 2025 | 6 min.
A dystopian and darkly whimsical animated short, unfolding in fragmented vignettes where characters collide - each caught in their own rhythm of time.

With Tapes and Toasts in the Car | Kiana Naghshineh | France, Germany 2025 | 14 min.
In the face of her body fading into stardust, Shari realizes what truly matters to her. Grand Prix and Audience Award winner ITFS 2026.

Cultivation, harvesting and dispersal of thorns | Jeanne Girard | France 2025 | 11 min.
Growing thorns requires several steps. Planting in soil, waiting for rain, and then harvesting. One day, a storm breaks out and wreaks havoc on a meticulously planned orchestration.

1981 | Andy London, Carolyn London | USA 2025 | 8 min.
It's 1981 in suburban Long Island. 14-year old Douglas gets a birthday surprise that will change life forever in this psychedelic coming-of-age story.

Gently | Jamaica Kindlová | Czech Republic 2026 | 9 min.
Charcoal animation reveals the fear of home through the eyes of a little boy who has to be constantly on alert and ready to escape. Special Mention Student Award.

Antonio | Daniela Zottola, Elisa Fanais | Italy 2025 | 7 min.
In a southern Italian village, a child takes part in an ancient agrarian rite in his very own way. Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award winner.

Sensual | Tanja Nuijten | Germany 2026 | 4 min.
An unusual, subjective, and deeply intimate perspective on physical closeness using animal metaphors brought to life by 900 hand-painted watercolors. Special Mention ITFS 2026.

Our Walls | Živa Divjak | Czech Republic 2025 | 8 min.
An animated documentary exploring family bonds through an intimate conversation between daughter and mother. Student Award winner.

Murmuration | Janneke Swinkels, Tim Frijsinger | Belgium, Netherlands 2025 | 12 min.
Piet, an elderly man in a nursing home, begins to transform into a bird and realizes it is time to join a new flock. Special Mention ITFS 2026.