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On October 1–2, 2026, Forward returns to Vienna’s Gartenbaukino for two days of ideas, exchange, and creative energy. More than 1,500 creatives are expected, with 25+ talks exploring different approaches to making, thinking, and working creatively.
Since 2015, Forward Festival has brought together international voices from graphic design, art, photography, advertising, technology, and beyond. What started in Vienna has grown into an international platform for creative exchange, connecting established names and emerging talents through talks, workshops, exhibitions, and events.
Among this year’s speakers is Mirko Borsche, founder of Bureau Borsche and one of Germany’s leading graphic designers. His work spans culture, fashion, music, and sport, with a distinctive approach to typography and visual identity. Annie Atkins, known for creating the graphic details behind films by Wes Anderson, brings her expertise in visual storytelling and world-building, while Dutch artist and designer Erik Kessels challenges conventions through his playful approach to photography, advertising, and visual culture.
The lineup continues with Austrian artist and photographer Thomas Albdorf, Dutch designer Luna Maurer, New York-based designer and art director Gabriela Namie, and Spanish illustration duo Cachetejack. Together, their practices span contemporary photography, digital culture, visual identity, illustration, and experimental design.
Also joining the festival are British illustrator and artist Jim Stoten, Paris-based graphic designer So-Me, creative studio The Mill, as well as JOYH, FAKTOR, Supersense, and HFA–Studio. Their work adds further perspectives from illustration, music, fashion, motion, technology, materials, and visual storytelling.
Beyond the talks, Forward Vienna brings its community together through workshops, exhibitions, studio tours, parties, and other experiences—creating space to discover new ideas, meet the people behind the work, and explore where creativity is heading next.
Forward Festival Vienna 2026
When?
October 01–02, 2026
Where?
Gartenbaukino, Vienna
Tickets and further information are available via the official website.
