Pictoplasma Berlin
World's leading festival for contemporary character design
About Pictoplasma
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What is Character Design?
Character design is the discipline of inventing characters: mascots, comic heroes, animated beings, video game characters, brand figures. Twenty years ago, Pictoplasma gave this often overlooked field its own stage and has since become the world's most important platform for it. Talks, film programs, symposia, and exhibitions alternate, with audiences comprising both professionals and enthusiasts.
Silent Green in Wedding
For years, the venue has been Silent Green Kulturquartier — a former crematorium in Berlin-Wedding (Mitte district), now one of the city's most exciting cultural centers. The underground concrete hall, the domed buildings, and the surrounding spaces offer an unusual, almost cinematic backdrop for the conference talks and exhibitions. Located directly at S+U Wedding station, a five-minute walk from the train station.
Program and Audience
The conference itself runs from Thursday to Saturday with over 20 international speakers — illustrators like Christoph Niemann (regularly on the cover of "The New Yorker"), animation filmmakers, designers from major studios. Parallel to this are curated film programs (Pictoplasma Animation Festival), workshops, portfolio reviews, and networking formats. Sunday is Visitors' Day: character market, workshops, film program — and free admission for everyone. Anyone who loves animated films, independent comics, or illustration will find something here — and can get to know the entire universe on Sunday without a festival pass.
Pictoplasma — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Pictoplasma, themed "In and Out of Character," will gather the international character design scene again from May 7 to 10, 2026, at Silent Green Berlin-Wedding. The program includes talks, a dedicated animation festival with curated film blocks, exhibitions, a symposium, and Industry Speed Dating. It culminates in the traditional Visitors' Day on Sunday, May 10, with an open character market and workshops, free of charge.
Programme Pictoplasma 2026
The 2026 program spans four days at various venues within Silent Green and is divided into several tracks:
Conference and Speakers
- Over 20 international speakers, including Christoph Niemann (German artist and author of numerous New Yorker covers), Conor Kehelly, Gemma Correll, Jack Sachs, and Karlotta Freier
- Conference Artist Talks, symposium, and panels revolving around the theme "In and Out of Character"
Animation Festival
- Curated international animation screenings throughout the four days
- Form Play and experimental animation formats
Industry and Networking
- Industry Speed Dating
- Portfolio Reviews
- Attendee Stage for participants
- Networking events and parties
Workshops and Art Jams
- Workshops and Art Jams throughout the festival
- Zine Zone as a platform for independent publications
Sunday Open House — May 10, 2026, 1 PM to 7 PM
- Character Market featuring original works, prints, toys, zines, and apparel by international creators
- Open workshops and film program
- Free admission
After Hours
- Psychedelic Midnight Mix and parties after the conference program
All details and the daily schedule are available at conference.pictoplasma.com/berlin/schedule.
Highlights Pictoplasma 2026
- 22nd edition — Theme "In and Out of Character"
- Christoph Niemann as keynote speaker
- Conor Kehelly, Gemma Correll, Jack Sachs, Karlotta Freier, and many more
- Visitors' Day Sunday, May 10, free admission
- Animation Fest with international film blocks
Prices Pictoplasma 2026
Conference Pass (all 4 days):
- Regular: from €370
- Reduced: from €250 (Students and Reduced)
- Visitors' Day Sunday: Free admission
Tickets available at conference.pictoplasma.com. Early bird rates usually close weeks before the festival starts.
Practical information — Pictoplasma
Getting There
Silent Green Kulturquartier, Gerichtstraße 35, 13347 Berlin (Mitte district, Wedding neighborhood). S+U Wedding (S41/S42/S46, U6) within 200 m; several bus lines (120, 247, 327) also within reach.
Tickets
Full Conference: from €370 (regular), from €250 (reduced). Visitors' Day on Sunday (Character Market + open workshops): Free admission.
Good to Know
Conference language predominantly English. Tickets sell out quickly — best to register months in advance. Sunday can be visited without a conference pass.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Pictoplasma al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Pictoplasma
silent green Kulturquartier
Gerichtstraße 35, 13347 Berlin