Karlotta Freier
●●International Conference on
Character Creativity
Berlin
7–10 May 2●26
In its 22nd edition, the world’s leading conference on contemporary character-driven creativity sets its focus on story: How can characters act as narrative devices that shape emotion, identity, and meaning – beyond affect, empathy, or cuteness?
● In and Out of Character ●
Over four bustling days, Pictoplasma investigates the art and impact of adventurous figurative representation across creative genres and cultures. The conference welcomes artists and producers to a transdisciplinary exchange of strategies and ideas, bridging illustration, animation, art, games, story-telling, branded worlds and social media personas. The stage is open to every practice that gives characters agency.
20+ featured lectures and artist talks explore the edges of contemporary creative practice
Vibrant discussion and networking spaces connect creative and commercial contributors
Daily workshops, jam sessions and demos await all to get hands-on with new mediums
Cutting-edge animation screenings dive deep into next-level world building
CONFERENCE
Artist Talks, Panels & Professional Exchange
The central Conference presents lectures, panels and talks by a hand-picked line-up of the world’s most adventurous artists, avant-garde filmmakers, upcoming talents, cutting-edge illustrators, innovative designers, and creative thinkers.
An accompanying Symposium track explores the genealogies of characterism, peeling back multiple layers of influences, trends and contexts, to expose implications in today’s visual vocabulary; and a dedicated Attendee Stage gives Picto-participants a podium, mic and opportunity to share their projects and character-driven creation.
Contributing Artists, Speakers and Presenters:
Amedeo Capelli
IT
Italian artist bridging the realms of art, craftsmanship, and mechanics, specialized in automata – mechanical sculptures animated by intricate, non-electronic mechanisms
⬤⬤
Caroline Attia
FR
French animation filmmaker, writer, and illustrator, combining a strong graphic sensibility and visual poetry with an attention to atmosphere and emotion
⬤⬤
Christoph Niemann
DE
Artist, author and animator, whose work has been shown in numerous museum retrospectives and frequently featured on the covers of The New Yorker and The New York Times Magazine
⬤⬤
Conor Kehelly
IE
Animator, illustrator & music producer from Ireland, creating playful, dark, textural scattershot portraits of a society in crisis
⬤⬤
Form Play
UK
Duo known for their hand-drawn character animation and playful storytelling, that have collaborated with brands such as Google, Sephora and IKEA to find humour in the everyday
⬤⬤
Frode Bolhuis
NL
Dutch artist working on The Daily Sculptures, a personal project rooted in ritual and spontaneity, to create a daily figure using materials such as polymer clay, textiles, wood, wire, and found objects
⬤⬤
Gemma Correll
UK/US
British illustrator and cartoonist imbuing her simple line drawings with narrative and humour, creating illustrations that catch the eye and tell a story
⬤⬤
Helga Stentzel
UK
Multidisciplinary artist sculpting intricate narratives from everyday elements that unveil messages hidden within the seemingly mundane tapestry of life
⬤⬤
Jack Sachs
UK
Visual artist bridging the gap between graphics and the real world by combining video, animation, photogrammetry, sculpture and more
⬤⬤
Jun Ioneda
BR
Brazilian multidisciplinary graphic artist blending science fiction, fantasy, queerness, and Japanese influences to create visuals ranging from whimsical to introspective
⬤⬤
Karlotta Freier
US
Award winning artist recognized for her distinctive approach to illustration and detailed, atmospheric style, working for clients such as Hermès, Dior, Coldplay or The Balvenie
⬤⬤
Marylou Faure
FR
French artist and illustrator known for her distinctive character design, bold use of colour, and striking graphic compositions
⬤⬤
Melissa Mathieson
US
Californian artist bringing her bright and bubbly world of quirky characters from the screen to large-scale, immersive and interactive installations
⬤⬤
Murat Palta
TR
Istanbul-based artist creating miniatures that resemble pages from an Ottoman-era manuscript, yet incorporate elements of contemporary pop culture to explore the relevance of mythology, philosophy, and historical events in today’s world
⬤⬤
Stephan Dybus
DE
German Visual Artist and Illustrator creating 3D miniature escapist worlds as coping mechanism with childhood trauma and existential dread
⬤⬤
Zohar Dvir
IL
Award-winning animation director blending two and three-dimensional elements with a healthy dose of surrealism, inspired by some of the bigger questions of philosophy and psychology
⬤⬤
and many more …
… to be announced soon!
⬤⬤
ANIMATION FEST
1●●+ Fresh Short Films Debuted in 7 Curated Screenings – Submit Now!
The official 2026 animation selection presents 100+ short films in seven screening programmes that feature the latest and freshest generation of characters in motion, be it narrative shorts, music visuals, experimental animation, and anything in between – with many of the creators present to discuss their work in Q&A sessions.
Deadline for animation submissions to be considered for the 2026 official selection was February 1.
INDUSTRY FORUM
Portfolio Reviews, Industry Sessions, Networking Hour
Pictoplasma 2026 enables new connections between creative talent and the industries shaping tomorrow’s visual culture — from branding and advertising to animation, streaming, games, emerging media, licensing and publishing.
Portfolio Reviews & Meetings
Concentrated one-on-one encounters between selected creatives and representatives from leading studios, agencies and production companies. In addition to the scheduled review sessions, a digital matchmaking tool enables attendees to connect and arrange meetings throughout the conference.
Industry Session
A focused block of peer presentations from across the commercial spectrum — sharing approaches, case studies and production insights from within the industry itself.
Industry Networking Hour
An industry-focused gathering with drinks, designed for conversations, reconnection and cross-disciplinary exchange in a relaxed setting.
Participating companies include:
CHARACTER LAB
Workshops, Art-Jams, Round Tables, Parties
In addition to hands-on workshops, art happenings and after hour jams, Pictoplasma provides a plethora of possibilities for attendees and featured artists to mix, mingle and meet – from spontaneous sticker swaps and speed dating sessions to intimate round table talks and all night parties.
OPEN HOUSE
Character Market, Exhibitions, Animation Screenings, Art Activities
On Sunday May 10, Pictoplasma welcomes all attendees (plus the Berlin public) to its legendary Sunday Open House & Character Market at silent green:
Attend (or sell at*) the bustling art market, packed with original works, quality prints, toys, zines, clothing and more – and meet their international makers; revisit the complete animation programme, offered in full for one last viewing: 100+ short films across 7 diverse screening programmes (parent discretion advised); admire gallery showcases of the event’s featured speakers and the global creative community, and get hands on with playful art-making spaces and workshops.
*Applications to sell at the Character Market open in March 2026.
BERLIN VENUE
silent green
Gerichtstr. 35
13347 Berlin
Pictoplasma Berlin 2026 takes place at the extensive premises of a former crematorium, the silent green, now a vibrant cultural venue that has already hosted several memorable Pictoplasma events. The location houses all activities at one lively venue, with conference talks, panels, animation screenings, workshops and exhibitions happening inside and out in the open air. Further satellite events await attendees at partnering galleries, clubs and cinemas throughout Berlin.
SCHEDULE*
MAY 6
—
18:00 – 23:00
May 7–9
—
10:30 – far too late
Animation Screenings
Conference Talks, Symposium & Panels, Attendee Stage
Industry Speed Dating, Workshops & Art Jams
Networking Events, Portfolio Reviews
After Hour Surprises, Psychedelic Midnight Mix, Parties
May 10
13:00 – 19:00
* subject to change
KUDOS
HOSTED BY
silent green
Gerichtstr. 35
13347 Berlin
FUNDED BY
SUPPORTED BY
