Programme Overview
A feast of Animation
All the programme highlights you can look forward to from 8 to 11 October 2026: competitions, supporting programme, interactive activities and more.
Competition Programme
At the heart of the festival lies the competition programme, in which outstanding animated films from all over the world compete against each other in five categories. Many of the filmmakers are present and available for Q&As after the screenings. The coveted, hand-cast golden bear trophies and prize money will be awarded.
German AnimationTake a look at the creative diversity of the local scene. The German Animation competition showcases short films by animators based in Germany.
The competition also serves as the Opening Ceremony and marks the festive start of FAB 2025, followed by a reception after the programme.
International AnimationThe International Animation competition showcases creative, diverse and surprising perspectives from international animation artists.
New TalentsThe New Talents competition features animated short films by students from international film schools, showcasing fresh perspectives and bold narrative styles.
Pink PandaThe imaginative films in the Pink Panda competition are accessible to a young audience. The Pink Panda competition offers high-quality, age-appropriate programmes for pre-school, primary school and young adult audiences.
Commissioned AnimationProfessional animation with a commercial background: The Commissioned Animation competition showcases creative animation in the context of advertising, image films, music videos, and more.
Film Programme
Alongside the Competition Programme, FAB 2026 presents a range of additional film programmes that broaden the perspective on animation in different ways. These include curated specials, thematic screenings, and programmes with distinctive artistic, narrative, or genre-based focuses.
Horror SpecialWhen control begins to slip, the body turns strange, and something may be lurking outside: the Horror Specials explore sci-fi horror, body horror, and folk horror across three programmes. The audience has its say, with the best film receiving the Audience Award. Curated by Max Breckwoldt and Pia Djukic.
FAB Open AirThe Open Air Special at Freiluftkino Insel presents seven international animated short films from the FAB 2026 Competition Programme. Curated by Pia Djukic.
FAFF presentsThe Factual Animation Film Festival (FAFF) is dedicated to documentary, fact-based animated film. As a pop-up festival, FAFF presents its own competition at FAB.
Feature SpecialOut of Competition, but not to be missed: The Feature Film Special presents exceptional animated feature films from around the world.
Supporting Programme
The supporting programme complements the competitions, offering a variety of formats for professionals, families, and those with an interest in animation. With the Berlin Animation Hub serving as a meeting place for workshops, meet-the-expert seminars, and industry dialogue; interactive exhibitions, such as FAB Dimensional; and family-friendly programmes, not to mention an annually changing focus topic, the programme offers ample opportunity for exchange, inspiration, and new perspectives on the world of animation.
Berlin Animation Hub
Since its launch three years ago, the Berlin Animation HUB has brought FAB’s networking and business programme together under one roof. Despite challenging financial conditions, it once again creates space for exchange, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Workshops, pitching sessions, talks, panels and networking formats connect industry professionals, newcomers, clients and contractors, while strengthening Berlin as an international hub for animation and co-production.
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Meet the Expert
Talks & Presentations
Horror Special
Nothing to worry about – probably. The FAB Horror Special presents three film programmes featuring current animated short films, plus additional events to spook and provoke thought.
For Kids, Families and Students
Pink Panda invites young animation fans to discover films, workshops and Q&As with filmmakers. On Festival Friday, our school programme features screenings and a rotoscoping workshop. At the weekend, most events are part of KinderKulturMonat and free for children aged 12 and under.
Stop-Motion Summit @ FAB 2026
Stop-Motion all day! The Stop-Motion Summit returns for its second edition, bringing the community together at the Berlin Animation HUB for practical insights, exchange and networking. At silent green Kulturquartier.
FAB invited
This year, too, FAB invited presents a diverse range of guest contributions: an Iranian feature film, a live performance, a concert, a pop-up festival and several interactive formats. It’s going to be colourful – expect the unexpected!
Première Page Exhibition
The beginning of a book is like a blank canvas – a departure into the unknown. Young French animation artists have used this moment as inspiration for visual experiments.
The exhibition presents eleven short films from the “Première Page” series, each inspired by the opening page of a literary work and transforming the written word into moving images. Personal statements offer further insight into the artists’ creative processes.
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Stop Motion Walk
At the Stop Motion Walk, a larger-than-life bear on a bicycle comes to life frame by frame in front of Berlin City Hall. Created by Dina Velikovskaya and Sana Schönle from TORP, the project invites passers-by to help animate the sequence.
The event celebrates handcrafted animation while also drawing attention to the difficulties the animation community faces in securing funding.Explore the events
Kuppelhalle
The Kuppelhalle at silent green returns as a special FAB venue for the third year running. On Saturday, we present 360° animation, a live performance with music and projections, and the body-horror programme ‘It’s Probably Nothing’. On Sunday, there will be another chance to catch the 360° programme, before we glam up the Kuppelhalle for the FAB awards ceremony in the evening.
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FAB Dimensional
Die Ausstellung FAB Dimensional zeigt Animationskunst, die nicht auf der klassischen Kinoleinwand gezeigt werden kann – interaktiv, installativ und raumgreifend. Bereits zum sechsten Mal trifft hier Animation auf skulpturale Ansätze, Games, Installationen… und lädt zum Staunen, Entdecken und Mitmachen ein.
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