ITFS 2026 Unveils Silhouette Animation Programme Celebrating Lotte Reiniger
Skwigly
The 33rd Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS), running 5–10 May 2026, will place silhouette animation centre stage with a major programme celebrating the pioneering work and enduring legacy of Lotte Reiniger.
Marking the 100th anniversary of The Adventures of Prince Achmed—widely recognised as the world’s oldest surviving feature-length animated film—the festival’s 2026 focus pays tribute to Reiniger’s style-defining technique and lasting influence on the artform.
Considered a trailblazer of silhouette animation, Reiniger’s life and work form the backbone of this year’s programme, which highlights both her cultural legacy and the continued relevance of her craft today.
Exhibitions Bridging Past and Present
Two major exhibitions will explore the evolution and global reach of silhouette animation.
Film Stories in Backlight (27 March – 16 May, City Library Stuttgart) presents a curated selection of films inspired by Reiniger’s distinctive visual language. Bringing together works from the DEFA Studio for Animated Films alongside contemporary international artists, the exhibition demonstrates how her interplay of light and shadow continues to enchant and inspire.
Running during the festival, Lotte Legacy – Shadow Play from Babelsberg to Southeast Asia (5–17 May, Festival Centre) showcases student films from Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF and Nanyang Technological University Singapore. Curated by Hannes Rall, the programme explores how emerging filmmakers reinterpret silhouette techniques through modern tools and cultural storytelling traditions, underlining the global resonance of Reiniger’s work.
Silhouettes in Lotte’s Footsteps screening – “SPIRIT- A Symphony of Chaos”
Short Film Programmes and Special Screenings
The Silhouettes in Lotte’s Footsteps programmes (6 May and 9 May) bring together student works and historic films to demonstrate the richness and adaptability of silhouette animation. From traditional paper-cut techniques to contemporary reinterpretations, the selection highlights a form that remains both technically fascinating and creatively expansive.
The programme also features landmark works influenced by Reiniger, including films from the DEFA Studio, alongside international titles such as Creatures and The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello, extending silhouette storytelling into darker, atmospheric territory.
Further highlights include an AniMovie Special screening of Princes et Princesses by Michel Ocelot, presented in the presence of the director, and the documentary Tanz der Schatten, which explores Reiniger’s life and artistic impact.
Masterclasses and Live Events
ITFS 2026 offers rare insight into the craft of silhouette animation through masterclasses with Jörg Herrmann and Michel Ocelot.
Herrmann’s session traces the full production process—from figure creation to frame-by-frame animation—demonstrating techniques that remain rooted in Reiniger’s original methods. Meanwhile, Ocelot provides a broader look at his artistic journey, influences, and the visual storytelling power of light, colour and paper cut-outs.
An open-air screening of short films by both artists will further complement the programme.
A Landmark Live Performance
A standout event of the festival will take place on 8 May, when The Adventures of Prince Achmed is presented with live accompaniment by members of the SWR Symphony Orchestra.
This special screening reimagines Reiniger’s 1926 masterpiece through a contemporary musical interpretation, creating a vivid dialogue between early animation and modern performance while honouring one of the medium’s true pioneers.
With its 2026 focus, ITFS not only celebrates a century of silhouette animation but reaffirms its place as a living, evolving artform—one that continues to inspire filmmakers across generations and borders.
More details can be found here: https://itfs.de/en/programme/calendar/