Vienna: Tricky Women – Tricky Realities Festival IMPORTANT: Sign Up for the Festival’s New Mailing List!
IMPORTANT: Sign Up for the Festival’s New Mailing List!
If you would like to continue receiving news, event announcements and updates about Tricky Women Tricky Realities in the future, please sign up for our new mailing list:
Stay Up To Date: Sign Up for the Festival’s New Mailing List!
What is changing?
As of 1 January 2027, the Tricky Women Tricky Realities festival will be organised by a new association, Tricky Matters – Verein zur Förderung von unabhängiger Animationskunst, Experimentalfilm und feministischer Kinokultur. This change also entails adjustments to the data protection framework governing the distribution of our communications.
What will happen to the existing newsletter?
In future, the existing newsletter mailing list – through which you are receiving this message – will be used to share information about events organised by Culture2Culture.
Culture2Culture is the feminist cultural association that has organised Tricky Women Tricky Realities for over 25 years. With the handover of the festival, Culture2Culture is evolving its format and will continue its work through independent projects focusing on animation and civil society initiatives.
> Find out more about Culture2Culture <<
For enquiries regarding Culture2Culture, please contact office@culture2culture.art, and for enquiries regarding Waltraud, please contact wg@culture2culture.art.
ITFS 2027: Call for Entries Reminder
Dear Animation Professionals,
A quick reminder that film submissions for the 34. Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) are open. Take this opportunity and submit your film today.
The ITFS ist one of the biggest and most important animation film festivals in europe. It will take place from 27 April to 2 May 2027 with focusses on artistic animated films and the promotion of young talents.
The winner of the Grand Prix in the International Competition will automatically qualify for the Academy Awards® longlist.
Across five competitions, prize money totalling 60,000€ will be awarded.
Submission Deadline: 15 November 2026:
Films completed after 1 October 2025 can be submitted via shortfilmdepot to the following competitions:
ITFS International Competition – animated short films from around the world
ITFS Student Competition – animated short films by students from international film and art schools
ITFS Tricks for Kids Competition – animated short films and series for children
ITFS Trickstar Nature Award – animated short films about nature and the environment
Submission Deadline: 15 January 2027:
ITFS AniMovie Competition – animated feature films
You can find further information in the regulations.
Submit now
Further information about the ITFS 2027 and all competitions can be found on our website, where they will be updated on an ongoing basis.
Laika: Introducing the Voices of Wildwood | In Theatres October 23
Wildwood is only in theatres October 23, get tickets at https://wildwoodmovie.com
From the recording booth to the screen, the voice cast of Wildwood helps the characters of the hand-crafted epic to life.
Hear from Director Travis Knight and actors Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Angela Bassett, and Charlie Day about the artistry behind their performances. #Wildwood
5.000 Euro Preisgeld: Das Internationale Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart sucht die besten animierten Games aus Deutschland
Foto (c) Max Kullmann
|
Pressemitteilung | Stuttgart, 19. Oktober 2026 |
Entwickler*innen mit Sitz in Deutschland können ab sofort ihre neuesten Computerspiele für den Animated Games Award Germany 2027 einreichen. Im Fokus stehen nicht nur das Gameplay, sondern auch Animation sowie künstlerische und pädagogische Komponenten. Der Wettbewerb wird ausgerichtet vom Internationalen Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart (ITFS) – für regionale und nationale Developer und Indie-Studios. Er bietet den Games eine Bühne, bringt sie mit neuen Spieler*innen in Kontakt und macht kreative Leistungen sichtbar. Zu gewinnen gibt es 5.000 Euro Preisgeld, Einreichungen sind bis zum 7. Februar 2027 möglich. Die nominierten Spiele werden in der GameZone des ITFS (27. April bis 2. Mai 2027) den Festivalbesucher*innen kostenlos fünf Tage lang zum Ausprobieren präsentiert.
Was macht ein Game visuell besonders? Wie werden Animation, Art Direction und Storytelling zum Teil des Spielerlebnisses? Der mit 5.000 Euro prämierte Animated Games Award Germany wird gestiftet von der MFG Baden-Württemberg und richtet sich an Entwickler*innen von Computerspielen mit Sitz in Deutschland. Eingereicht werden können Spiele für handelsübliche Endgeräte, die nach dem 1. Januar 2026 veröffentlicht wurden. Eine außergewöhnliche visuelle Gestaltung und Ästhetik mit einem besonderen Augenmerk auf Artwork, Bildsprache, Storytelling und Character Design sind entscheidend. Gesucht werden innovative Spiele, die kulturellen oder pädagogischen Mehrwert mit Spielspaß verbinden.
Nach Ende der Einreichfrist am 7. Februar 2027 sichtet eine unabhängige Auswahlkommission die eingereichten Spiele und wählt fünf nominierte Games für den Preis aus. Diese können anschließend während des ITFS in Stuttgart kostenlos in der GameZone gespielt werden. Die Gewinner*innen werden am 1. Mai 2027 im Rahmen der Preisverleihung des ITFS in Stuttgart bekanntgegeben. Jetzt einreichen: Teilnahmebedingungen und der Link zur Einreichung unter https://itfs.de/branche_talents/einreichen/.
Rückblick: Das war das Gewinnerspiel 2026
Der Animated Games Award Germany 2026 ging an das handgezeichnete Metroidvania CONSTANCE (Entwickler: Robert May, Produktion: Blue Backpack GmbH, Publisher: ByteRockers’ Games GmbH & Co. KG). Eine pinselschwingende Künstlerin erlebt darin nicht nur Abenteuer, sondern kämpft auch gegen ihre psychischen Probleme an. Das Spiel überzeugte die Jury mit seinen flüssigen Animationen, innovativen Spielmechaniken und einer abwechslungsreichen Welt, in der Pinsel und Farbe nicht nur die Ästhetik, sondern auch das Gameplay prägen.
Die GameZone: Spielen, entdecken, diskutieren
Games – egal ob für Handy, Gaming-PC oder Spielekonsole – sind ein zentraler Bestandteil der deutschen Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft und das ITFS widmet ihnen mit der GameZone jedes Jahr einen eigenen Erlebnisraum: Zwischen alten Gemälden und modernen Kunstwerken können Besucher*innen in der Staatsgalerie Stuttgart sowohl die nominierten Games des Animated Games Award Germany als auch Hochschulprojekte und Games aus Baden Württemberg kostenlos testen und in begleitenden Game Talks mit den Entwickler*innen tiefer in die Produktionen eintauchen. 2026 war die GameZone eines der Highlights des Festivals und zog rund 2.500 Gaming-Fans und Besucher*innen an.
The Rings of Power – Season 3 Official Trailer | Prime Video
Season 3 finds Sauron transformed into his legendary armored form as he enslaves his ring-servants, the Nazgnagôl, and sows destruction across Middle-earth through deception and might. Meanwhile, Gandalf emerges as the iconic wizard of lore and Galadriel continues her evolution into the wise and powerful elven Lady of Lothlórien. And, for the first time on screen, audiences will witness the foundational moment that shaped Middle-earth and became a cornerstone of popular culture: the forging of the One Ring – capping Sauron’s quest for ultimate power as he battles the resistance of Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Premiering November 11 on Prime.
About The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, this epic drama follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. About Prime Video: Want to watch it now? We’ve got it. This week’s newest movies, last night’s TV shows, classic favorites, and more are available to stream instantly, plus all your videos are stored in Your Video Library. Prime Video offers a variety of unique and captivating entertainment, including original series “The Boys,” “Invincible,” “Hazbin Hotel,” “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” and more.
The European Film Academy announces the European Film Awards Shortlist
Today, the shortlisted films for the 39th European Film Awards taking place on 16 January 2027 in Athens have been revealed by the European Film Academy. The awards are among the most prestigious in the industry to celebrate the finest achievements in European cinema.
A total of 68 outstanding feature films have been shortlisted for a possible nomination for the European Film Awards, with the winners voted for by members of the European Film Academy. 45 films are selected for the fiction shortlist, 15 for the documentary shortlist and eight for the animation shortlist. Representing 40 European countries, the films bring together established and emerging filmmakers, including directors working across borders. 25 films are directed or co-directed by women.
Together, they celebrate the excellence, diversity and creativity of European cinema, reflecting its many cultures, languages and perspectives while exploring some of today’s most pressing issues, from migration and cultural clashes to minority communities, gender and political freedom.
The shortlisted fiction and documentary films have been chosen by members of the European Film Academy Board and invited European experts, whereas the shortlisted animated feature films by a selection committee composed of members of the Academy Board and invited experts in co-operation with CARTOON, the European Association of Animation Film.
The European Film Awards Shortlist adheres to the Diversity & Inclusion Standards of the European Film Academy. For more information on the awarding procedure and eligibility criteria, please see Regulations for the 39th European Film Awards.
Please find the list of all shortlisted films with further information including synopsis, cast, credits, and statements of directors (if available).
Animation Shortlist Links:
The announcement of the European Film Awards Shortlist marks the first step in the awarding procedure. In the coming weeks, the 5,700 members of the European Film Academy will watch the shortlisted films and vote on the nominations, with the exception of the ‘European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI’, ‘European Short Film’, ‘European Young Audience Award’, ‘LUX Audience Award’ and Honorary Awards, which follow separate selection procedures.
Nominations for the categories ‘European Film’, ‘European Discovery — Prix FIPRESCI’, ‘European Documentary’, ‘European Animation Film’, ‘European Director’, ‘European Actress’, ‘European Actor’, ‘European Screenwriter’, ‘European Casting Director’, ‘European Cinematographer’, ‘European Composer (Original Score)’, ‘European Costume Designer’, ‘European Editor’, ‘European Make-Up & Hair Artist’, ‘European Production Designer’ and ‘European Sound’ will be announced on 14 November 2026 during the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
The European Film Awards will be held in the Greek capital of Athens in January 2027. This was announced by the European Film Academy and the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre – EKKOMED, acting as the coordinator of the Greek consortium comprised of the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Economy and Finance, City of Athens, Region of Attica, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, and the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation ERT.
For the first time traveling to Southeastern Europe, the ceremony of the 39th European Film Awards 2027 will take place in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), preceded by the traditional Welcome Night reception on the eve of the award ceremony at the Acropolis Museum.
Every year, the various activities of the European Film Academy culminate in the ceremony of the European Film Awards which are presented jointly with the European Film Academy Productions. In a total of 22 categories, the European Film Awards annually honour the greatest achievements in European cinema.
The ceremony takes place in Berlin every second year. In other years, the Awards travel: London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Malta, Riga, Wroclaw, Seville, Reykjavik, Lucerne and many more.
The 39th European Film Awards will take place in Athens/Greece on 16 January 2027.
A committee, including an Academy Board member and animation experts – one of them from CARTOON, the European Association of Animation Film – selects 8 animation films. The committee is partly changing every year and the names of the committee members are published after the nominations announcement in November.
Täglich einen Kurzen: “Fruit & Nut” by Rej Bourdages & Tony Maki
The untold story of the most famous duo of all time. “Fruit & Nut” is a Pixar artist short film directed by Pixar artists Rej Bourdages & Tony Maki in Pixar’s Lab. See more original short films on Pixar’s YouTube page!
https://www.instagram.com/rejbourdages/
Pod Save America: South Park DESTROYS Trump, MAGA, Billionaires and Data Centers in BRUTAL New Episode
NEW South Park RIPS Trump, MAGA, Billionaires and Data Centers SUBSCRIBE 👉 @podsaveamerica
South Park takes aim at Trump, MAGA, billionaires, and the data center boom. Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor react to the latest episode of “South America” aka South Park.
Dreamworks Animation: Cuddling King Truffle Wuffle – FORGOTTEN ISLAND Movie Clip (2026) | Entertainment Access
Watch the official clip from Forgotten Island! In theaters September 25, 2026.
While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families. Some of these figures will become friends, some foes. Joined by well-meaning-but-hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (Tony winning icon Lea Salonga), the most feared creature on the island. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.
© Universal Pictures
UKA-UKA Teaser | RIGA IFF 2026
Directed by: Henri Veermäe Produced by: Erik Heinsalu, GRAFIK EE, 2026
After the Estonian victory at the Eurovision, the national economy is doing well and the mushroom-pickers can also hope for an earlier yield. And now it is the summer when you are being looked after by the flies and your grandparents. Computer games seem boring. An accidentally overheard phone conversation inspires you to play some hide-and-seek. And what do you decide to do? You hide in the trunk of a car and arrive at the graveyard. The song “Everybody” by Tanel Padar and Dave Benton has a special place in the collective consciousness of the Baltic citizens, but for Veermäe it is a personal memory and the time when he became interested in film.
Reflecting about the summer of an eight-year old boy, the director simultaneously connects several individual signs of the time, culture and private life in the 2000s – Estonia’s economic growth, the cemetery culture and summers spent in the countryside. Although the childish experiment does not end as it supposed to, Veermäe in his animation debut, which was awarded the ARTE Short Film Prize at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, shows that he is a truly talented storyteller who can also combine puppet technique with 3D animation. The film was presented at RIGA IFF’s SHORT RIGA Test Screenings.
Dreamworks Animation: Forgotten Island | Behind The Music
Your best friendship is worth fighting for.
DreamWorks Animation, the studio that brought you unforgettable bonds between a boy and a dragon in How to Train Your Dragon, an ogre and a donkey in Shrek, and a robot and a gosling in The Wild Robot, now welcomes a dazzling and emotional story about two lifelong best friends who must come together before they drift apart in Forgotten Island.
The new original film is written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado and is produced by Academy Award® nominee Mark Swift, the filmmaking team behind Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Grammy and Academy Award® winning supernova H.E.R. and Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein, Alone/Together) star as high school graduates Jo and Raissa, who have been best friends since grade school but are now about to embark on separate life paths.
While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families. Some of these figures will become friends, some foes. Joined by well-meaning-but- hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (Tony winning icon Lea Salonga), the most feared creature on the island. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.
The film’s all-star voice cast also includes Emmy nominee Jenny Slate (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Dying for Sex), Manny Jacinto (The Good Place, Top Gun: Maverick), BAFTA nominee Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness, Ghostlight), global comedy superstar Jo Koy (Haunted Mansion, Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn) and Emmy winner Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show, M3GAN). DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island is distributed by Universal Pictures.
Ray Gunn | Official Trailer | Netflix
Academy Award winner Brad Bird, the visionary director of The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Iron Giant, brings you a whole new world to investigate… In Metropia, a gigantic city in an alternate future as seen from 1939, private eye Raymond Gunn (Sam Rockwell) is drawn into a case involving aliens, murder and a multimedia star named Venus Nova (Scarlett Johansson). Watch Ray Gunn – in select theaters December 4 and on Netflix December 18.
Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/ray-gunn-trailer
Cinesite: https://cinesite.com/ray-gunn/
https://skydance.com/animation/#-
Watch on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81756797
About Netflix: Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services offering TV series, films, games and live programming across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.
VAGABOND Trailer | RIGA IFF 2026
Directed by: Susa Monteiro Produced by: José Miguel Ribeiro, Praça Filmes PT, 2026
He cannot just take off his worn-out, Van Gogh-like boots. He is a loner meeting the everyday loungers, the exhausted bodies hiding in the coal dust, the strangers and the free-spirited. The landscapes change, the days go by, and he has forgotten his home. Is this an escape of his or just a journey with no destination? Will his lack of belonging come to an end, will he take off his boots in fear of being alone?
The short film, animation debut by Monteiro, Portuguese illustrator and comic artist, is full of powerful, timeless and poetic codes. As the hand-drawn frames change and their characters come to life in surprising images, we enter a lotus-land and a soul that is brighter than the flâneurism celebrated and romanticized by Bob Dylan. Her warm style gives life to both mythical elements and melancholy that calmly ignores the progress of the contemporary. The artist residing in Beja, Southern Portugal, has studied stage and costume design in Lisbon, but has recently been acknowledged internationally for her style of the mythical patina.
