Berlin’s Character-Driven Pictoplasma Conference Unveils Full 2026 Program

Berlin’s Pictoplasma Conference Berlin 2026 has announced the program for its upcoming edition, set to take place May 7–10 at Silent Green.

Now in its 22nd year, the event continues to focus on character-driven animation, illustration, design, and digital media. This year’s theme, In and Out of Character, frames the program around how characters operate across formats, from authored narratives to commercial and interactive contexts.

The main conference lineup features more than 20 presentations from an international mix of artists, illustrators, and designers. Featured speakers include Christoph Niemann, Amedeo Capelli, Gemma Correll, Marylou Faure, Jack Sachs, and Zohar Dvir, and many others, including several still unnamed speakers.

In addition to the main stage talks, the conference will host a symposium program addressing theoretical and cultural perspectives on character design, while the Attendee Stage provides a platform for participants to present independent projects and works in progress. Workshops and live sessions are also scheduled throughout the four days.

Animation screenings remain a core component of this year’s event, with curated programs of short films that headline character-based storytelling. These screenings highlight both emerging and established voices working in short-form animation. The full program of more than 80 titles is available here.

Industry-facing activities remain a significant part of this year’s fest. Portfolio reviews, networking sessions, and matchmaking formats are designed to connect artists with studios, agencies, and collaborators. As in previous years, the event positions itself as both a public-facing conference and a professional meeting point.

Since its launch in 2004, Pictoplasma has grown into a regular fixture on the international conference circuit for artists, particularly those whose work focuses on characters. Its scope has expanded, but the structure remains consistent, combining lectures, screenings, and interactive formats focused on visual storytelling through character.

The 2026 edition continues that model, bringing together a range of practices and perspectives under a single program.