Alongside the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, it is the only festival in Germany dedicated exclusively to animated film. Of the countless international animation film festivals, it is the only one that includes the main prizewinners of the world's most important festivals and animation film competitions in its program. All types of animated film and animation techniques are considered at the Wiesbaden festival. All contributions are shown by invitation.

At the festival opening in Biebrich Castle on Thursday, November 6, at 8 pm, a special event will be offered: "FRAME by FRAME // a look behind the scenes // short films by the Oscar-winning Lauenstein brothers, presented by Christoph Lauenstein". The twins Christoph and Wolfgang Lauenstein have been creating unusual hand-made animated films using the classic stop motion technique for 35 years. They won an Oscar in 1990 with their first short animated film "Balance". Head of Cultural Affairs Dr. Hendrik Schmehl will open the festival on behalf of the City of Wiesbaden.

This year, all programs will be screened in Biebrich Palace, East Wing. A total of over 80 short films will be shown. Under the motto "Best of International Animation 2023/2024", 44 films from 18 countries will be screened in three programs. Most of them are multiple award-winning German premieres or Rhine-Main premieres. The films in program one include the multi-award-winning "Luna Rossa" (Priit and Olga Pärn, Estonia).

The program on Saturday, November 8 at 8 p.m., includes five short films, the 2025 Oscar winner in the short animated film category and four 2025 Oscar nominees: "Magic Candies", Japan; the Oscar winner "In the Shadow of the Cypress" by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, Iran; "Beurk" (Yuck!), France; "Wander to Wonder", Netherlands/Belgium; "Beautiful Men", France/Belgium.

There is an audience award for programs one to three, which is determined by audience vote. The winner will receive 1,000 euros, donated by Katholisches Filmwerk GmbH, Frankfurt am Main. The winners will be announced at the festival's closing event on Sunday evening.

The festival had a competitive character for the first time on its tenth anniversary in 2008. To this day, the audience decides by vote on the cash prizes for entries in the "Best of International Animation", "Young Animation" (later "New Generations") and "Best of German Animation" programs. In addition, the Cultural Office of the State Capital of Wiesbaden awards its now traditional prize to a filmmaker, studio or educational institution.