It’s not a Trick. It’s Animation! Highlights from Upcoming ITFS 2025 Programme
Skwigly
Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) will be taking place from 6–11 May 2025 and this year it promises a strong week, with films in competition, exciting outdoor screenings, an innovative GameZone, a magical programme for kids and families, as well as inspiring talks and panels.
The two main focuses this year are on: Stop Motion as an animation technique and the Animation Industry of Switzerland. We look at some of the highlights you can look forward to this month below.
You can find the entire programme on ITFS’s website calendar, or browse through their e-catalogue for more information.
Focus on Stop Motion
Memory Hotel
Heinrich Sabl worked for a quarter of a century on the elaborate stop-motion film, which celebrated its world premiere in Leipzig in 2024. He will be a guest at the ITFS 2025 with a Screening of the film in the AniMovie competition (Thu, 8 May, 8pm), as well as a Making of of the film (Thu, 8 May, 10:30am).
Memory Hotel (Source: ITFS)
Memory Hotel Synopsis: May 1945: Five-year-old Sophie flees the Russian frontline with her parents. Their destination is America. On the way to the harbour, they stop at a hotel. What they didn’t expect to find there: Nazi Scharf and Hitler Boy Beckmann. A fight erupts. Sophie loses her parents and her memory. Soon Soviets occupy the hotel, find Sophie and make her the cook of the house. Decades later, Sophie recalls her memories with the help of Beckmann – who is hiding in an air-raid shelter – and leaves the hotel. She still has the ticket to America in her luggage.
Animation Nightmare Night Special: STOPMOTION (Fri, 9 May, 10:30 pm)
In his feature film directorial debut, Brit Robert Morgan, who will also be a guest and jury member for the AniMovie competition in Stuttgart, relies entirely on self-generated special effects – and thematises the painstaking work involved. At the centre of his story is an animation artist who is trying to step out of the shadow of her renowned mother. The camera captures the claustrophobic atmosphere, supported by the soundscape and very vivid splatter interludes. The titular animation technique and the disturbing live-action drama form a fascinating symbiosis.
Stopmotion (Dir. Robert Morgan, Image: IFC)
SAUVAGES
Swiss animated filmmaker Claude Barras is represented at this year’s ITFS with various programmes: his feature film debut MA VIE DE COURGETTE (2016) will be screened at the Open Air, his latest stop-motion film SAVAGES can be seen in the cinema at this Screening (Wed, 7 May, 3 pm).
A SAVAGES Exhibition (Tue, 6 May to Sun, 11 May) will offer a fascinating insight into the world of the stop motion animation film. At the centre of the exhibition are six large, detailed sets and accompanying puppets created for the elaborate stop-motion animation. Each element reflects the vibrant atmosphere of the tropical forest and brings the characters and their emotional challenges to life. The exhibition not only highlights the technical artistry behind the production of the sets but also reveals the film’s profound themes: the fight against environmental destruction, the protection of endangered species, and the resistance of indigenous communities against economic exploitation. Come along to experience the magic of the film while reflecting on the pressing ecological challenges of our time.
Claude Barras’ Sauvages!
In this Master Class (Wed, 7 May, 6pm), Claude Barras will talk about the art of puppet animation, sustainable production processes, his research methods and social responsibility as a filmmaker. Barras’ films are characterized by the intricate, lovingly detailed puppets with big eyes and the profound content of his stories. Whether in the orphanage with Courgette or with the orangutan baby Oshi in the rainforest of Borneo – Claude Barras wants to raise awareness of socially relevant issues with his films, especially among young viewers. For the research for SAUVAGES, Claude Barras traveled to Borneo himself and sought advice from members of the indigenous Penan population. Sustainable materials were also used in the production of SAUVAGES.
adult swim presents: STOP MOTION SHOWCASE
Calling all stop motion lovers! Join the Adult Swim Special (Thu, 8 May, 10:30pm) as we pay homage to the genre in a lovingly curated session packed full of stop motion goodness. From cult classics to fan favourite series and previews of the channel’s most talked-about new and returning series and specials. Join us for an
exclusive screening of “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” from series creator Gonzalo Cordova and a sneak peek of “The Robot Chicken Self-Discovery Special” and much more.
Focus on Switzerland
Swiss animated film is not only very productive, but also very successful internationally. The output of the country is enormous. This year’s Swiss Focus at ITFS brings fresh discoveries alongside familiar faces to Stuttgart. Several short films programmes, four feature films, various Talks, Making ofs and Master Classes as well as a puppet exhibition will be highlighting the Swiss animation scene in the cinemas, at the Open Air and at the Festival Centre. The Animation Production Days (APD) will also focus on Switzerland’s animation industry. Four projects are part of this year’s edition.
In Persona: Maja Gehrig
Wed, 7 May, 3pm
Maja Gehrig is a renowned Swiss animation filmmaker. She teaches young animation talent at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts as an Artistic Professor in the field of Design Film Art. Her graduation film, UNE NUIT BLANCHE, won the Young Talent Award at Solothurn Film Festival and was just the beginning of a line of successful films, including AMOURETTE, QUEEN PO, and AVERAGE HAPPINESS, for which she also received the Swiss Film Award. Her artistic approach is characterized by experimentation and a close connection between image and sound, and it includes various styles, which she considers a defining aspect of her work. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, she has also been involved with the GSFA (Groupement Suisse du Film d’Animation) for many years.
Panel: Coproduction between Switzerland and EU countries
Wed, 7 May, 5:30pm
Coproducing with Switzerland in the Fields of Animation. What is it like to coproduce with Switzerland? What has Switzerland to offer to European Countries when it comes to coproduction? Join our panel to learn all about coproducing with Switzerland.
School Presentation: Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art
Fri, 9 May, 12:30pm
Animation Lucerne is the Animation programme of the Lucerne School of Design Film & Art. Founded in 2002, it is the only public animation degree programme in Switzerland, offering a high-level artistic and technical education that is recognized worldwide. With its holistic approach, the Bachelor’s programme covers all essential areas of animation, allowing students to explore their strengths and develop their artistic voice. The Master’s programme further refines these profiles and deepens artistic practice. This programme features a selection of the best films from the past 10 years.
Short film programmes
There will be two short film programmes that showcase some of the best Swiss animation out there: Future Minds – Talents to Watch (Wed, 7 may, 10:30pm) and Swiss Women Animation (Sat, 10 May, 5:30pm)
Other Highlights
AniMovie: THE SQUARE
Wed, 7 may, 8pm
THE SQUARE by South Korean director Bo-sol Kim celebrates its German premiere at ITFS 2025. The plot of the film, set in North Korea, interweaves personal stories with politically charged realities, thematising North Korea’s isolation and the impossibility of interpersonal closeness in a strictly monitored regime.
The Square (Source: ITFS)
adult swim presents: RICK AND MORTY Season 8 Preview
Fri, 9 May, 6pm
Adult Swim’s global smash hit RICK AND MORTY returns this year and what better way to celebrate than with an exclusive preview of episodes from season eight. Of course, it would not be RICK AND MORTY without a world-bending surprise or two, so keep an eye out for further announcements that will make this one of the hottest sessions in any of the multiverses.
FLOW
This year’s Oscar-winner for Best Animated Film will be featured in two ways at the ITFS: ITFMX Screening (Fr, 9 May, 8pm) and Making of (Thu, 8 May, 11:30am), where animator Thibaut Delahaye and producer Ron Dyens talk about the journey from a joint visit to the zoo to the Oscar-winning animated feature film.
Master Class: Will Becher
Fri, 9 May, 12:30pm
Will Becher, – supervising animator of WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL and jury member for the ITFS 2025 Student Competition – will provide a unique glimpse behind the curtain at the Aardman Studios during the production of their latest feature film. With a special focus on the creative processes behind Wallace & Gromit’s latest onscreen adventure, he will illustrate the hand-crafted techniques combined with cutting edge technology, which has made the film a global success.