Pictoplasma Berlin 2026 is celebrating the artwork of character-driven storytelling – and we’ll be there

In case you’ve by no means heard of Pictoplasma, permit us to repair that instantly. Now in its twenty second version, the Berlin-based convention is the worldwide gathering level for artists, animators, illustrators, sport makers and inventive thinkers who work with characters – and it is one of the genuinely inspiring occasions on the artistic calendar.

This yr’s theme is In and Out of Character, and it asks the straightforward query: how can characters act as narrative units that form emotion, identification, and that means?

Happening Could 7–10 at Berlin’s beautiful silent inexperienced venue – a former crematorium reworked right into a thriving cultural area – Pictoplasma 2026 guarantees 4 days of concepts, experimentation, and real human connection.

A rare line-up of audio system

The speaker programme alone is well worth the journey. Christoph Niemann, the German artist and writer behind numerous iconic New Yorker covers (and a agency favorite on our podcast), might be exploring the probabilities of visible storytelling. Gemma Correll, beloved for her deceptively easy line drawings filled with narrative and humour, can also be on the invoice, alongside Brooklyn-based illustrator Karlotta Freier, identified for her intricately detailed and distinctly private work.

Additionally talking are award-winning animation director Zohar Dvir, who blends 2D and 3D with a splendidly surreal sensibility; Amedeo Capelli, the Italian artist whose handcrafted analogue automata sit someplace between artwork and mechanics; German illustrator Stephan Dybus, who creates tiny escapist worlds to deal with the awkwardness of existence; daring and cheeky French illustrator Marylou Faure; and Jun Ioneda, the Brazilian-Spanish graphic artist whose work weaves collectively sci-fi, fantasy, queerness and Japanese influences into one thing completely its personal.

That is only a handful of the 20+ confirmed audio system – panels, symposium tracks, and an attendee stage spherical out the convention programme, giving everybody an opportunity to share and be heard.

Animation, workshops, and a lot extra

Pictoplasma has at all times been greater than a talk-and-listen convention, and 2026 is not any completely different. The Animation Fest brings over 100 brief movies throughout seven curated screenings — narrative shorts, music visuals, experimental work and hybrid codecs — with many creators available for Q&A periods. An Trade Discussion board presents portfolio opinions, pitch periods and networking for anybody searching for direct entry to studios, businesses and producers. And the Character Lab strand retains issues hands-on with workshops, artwork jams, spherical tables and after-hours events.

On Sunday, the entire thing opens to the general public with an Open Home, that includes a bustling Character Market the place attendees and native artists promote authentic work, toys, zines, and clothes, alongside a full replay of the animation programme.

We’ll be there

Inventive Growth might be attending Pictoplasma Berlin as soon as once more, so anticipate protection, conversations and loads of inspiration coming your means from the convention. Watch this area.

Tickets and full programme particulars can be found at convention.pictoplasma.com.