The Wiesbaden International Festival of Animated Film has been held as part of "Filme im Schloss" since 1999. Alongside the International Festival of Animated Film in Stuttgart, it is the only festival in Germany that is entirely dedicated to animated film. Among the countless international festivals, it is the only one that includes the winners of the main prizes of the world's most important animated film competitions in its program. The festival covers all types of animated film and animation techniques. There is a special focus on short films. All entries are shown by invitation. A total of four prizes are awarded.

The audience decides by vote on the cash prizes for entries in the "Best of International Animation", "New Generations" and "Best of German Animation" programs. In addition, the Cultural Office of the State Capital of Wiesbaden will award its now traditional prize to a filmmaker, a studio or an educational institution.

The opening event of the festival traditionally takes place in the Caligari FilmBühne. All other program items are shown in the screening room of the German Film and Media Rating (FBW) in Schloss Biebrich. The festival is organized by the Freunde der Filme im Schloss in cooperation with the Cultural Office of the State Capital of Wiesbaden, the German Film and Media Rating (FBW) and Omnimago GmbH with the support of HessenFilm und Medien GmbH and the Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain.