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

If you’ve never heard of Pictoplasma, allow us to fix that immediately. Now in its 22nd edition, the Berlin-based conference is the global gathering point for artists, animators, illustrators, game makers and creative thinkers who work with characters – and it’s one of the most genuinely inspiring events on the creative calendar.

This year’s theme is In and Out of Character, and it asks the simple question: how can characters act as narrative devices that shape emotion, identity, and meaning?

Taking place May 7–10 at Berlin’s stunning silent green venue – a former crematorium transformed into a thriving cultural space – Pictoplasma 2026 promises four days of ideas, experimentation, and genuine human connection.

An extraordinary line-up of speakers

The speaker programme alone is worth the trip. Christoph Niemann, the German artist and author behind countless iconic New Yorker covers (and a firm favourite on our podcast), will be exploring the possibilities of visual storytelling. Gemma Correll, beloved for her deceptively simple line drawings packed with narrative and humour, is also on the bill, alongside Brooklyn-based illustrator Karlotta Freier, known for her intricately detailed and distinctly personal work.

Also speaking are award-winning animation director Zohar Dvir, who blends 2D and 3D with a wonderfully surreal sensibility; Amedeo Capelli, the Italian artist whose handcrafted analogue automata sit somewhere between art and mechanics; German illustrator Stephan Dybus, who creates tiny escapist worlds to cope with the awkwardness of existence; bold and cheeky French illustrator Marylou Faure; and Jun Ioneda, the Brazilian-Spanish graphic artist whose work weaves together sci-fi, fantasy, queerness and Japanese influences into something entirely its own.

That’s just a handful of the 20+ confirmed speakers – panels, symposium tracks, and an attendee stage round out the conference programme, giving everyone a chance to share and be heard.

Animation, workshops, and so much more

Pictoplasma has always been more than a talk-and-listen conference, and 2026 is no different. The Animation Fest brings over 100 short films across seven curated screenings — narrative shorts, music visuals, experimental work and hybrid formats — with many creators on hand for Q&A sessions. An Industry Forum offers portfolio reviews, pitch sessions and networking for anyone seeking direct access to studios, agencies and producers. And the Character Lab strand keeps things hands-on with workshops, art jams, round tables and after-hours parties.

On Sunday, the whole thing opens to the public with an Open House, featuring a bustling Character Market where attendees and local artists sell original work, toys, zines, and clothing, alongside a full replay of the animation programme.

We’ll be there

Creative Boom will be attending Pictoplasma Berlin once again, so expect coverage, conversations and plenty of inspiration coming your way from the conference. Watch this space.

Tickets and full programme details are available at conference.pictoplasma.com.