With more than a decade of experience, 33 editions and an international community of over 50,000 attendees from 80 countries, Forward has become a leading European reference for the creative industry. This year, however, the festival takes a step further.

Its new motto says it all: “Turn ideas into action”.

Three cities, one creative narrative

The 2026 edition unfolds across three key cities: Frankfurt (11–12 June) — marking its debut within World Design Capital —; Berlin (27–28 August); and Vienna (1–2 October).

Rather than a simple tour, each city brings its own identity, becoming part of the attendee experience and connecting the festival with the local cultural pulse.

More than a festival: a complete experience

Forward goes beyond traditional conferences. Its programme includes high-level talks, hands-on workshops, artistic installations, exhibition areas, meaningful networking, side events and parties.

It is a fusion of experiences designed to transform inspiration into action.

Forward Festival 2026: an inside perspective

As media partners, we recently spoke with the Forward Festival team to better understand why this event represents a turning point for the creative industry.

Forward Festival has become a major European benchmark — what is the vision behind the 2026 season?

Over the years, both the world and the creative industry have evolved enormously — and the demands placed on creatives are higher than ever. At Forward Festival, we sit right at the heart of it all. We see the challenges and opportunities our community faces, observe how our speakers develop new ways of working, and witness how the creative process itself is shifting. It felt like a natural step for Forward to evolve as well.

For 2026 and beyond, our vision is to empower creatives to push further. Under the motto “Turn ideas into action”, Forward aims to be the place where the spark truly ignites — where the turning point happens and creatives leave fully determined to act on that idea that has been lingering in their minds.

We want to equip them with the tools to transform those ideas into real, successful projects.

“Forward is a place to exchange, connect, and learn from one another.”

At its core, Forward remains what it has always been: a meeting point for the creative community — a place to exchange, connect, and learn from one another.

What sets Forward apart from other global creative festivals today?

Three things define us. First, we curate a genuinely diverse programme that spans all areas of the industry, with a strong emphasis on the business side of creativity. Second, we work closely with our speakers to bring out their very best — ensuring that every talk aligns with “Turn ideas into action” while remaining engaging and enjoyable for the audience.

Finally, we strive to create a holistic experience that extends far beyond the stage — from side events and workshops to parties, everything is carefully designed to reflect and reinforce our core vision.

The 2026 lineup is incredibly diverse. How do you curate such a programme?

We look for a wide range of voices across the creative industry — designers, photographers, digital artists, and advertising legends — to offer as many perspectives as possible. We aim to bring true icons such as Erik Kessels, Stefan Sagmeister, and Malika Favre to the stage, making their insights accessible to a broad audience.

At the same time, we are deeply committed to spotlighting emerging talent. The process involves extensive research, constant discovery, and a genuine curiosity about who is creating meaningful and inspiring work today.

What are the key creative trends defining this year’s edition?

Everything revolves around turning ideas into action: creativity, the courage to think big, the resilience to fail, a strong business mindset to sustain a creative career, openness to change — and, of course, AI, and how to integrate it thoughtfully into the creative process.

How is AI reshaping both the speakers and the content of the festival?

AI is one of the most defining tools of our time. It raises legitimate concerns, but it also unlocks extraordinary possibilities for the creative world — and we want to embrace both perspectives. Our approach is critical yet optimistic. This means bringing AI artists and pioneers onto the stage, while also featuring voices like Sagmeister, who explores how AI can be integrated into an established body of work. That contrast is precisely what makes the conversation so compelling.

Forward connects multiple cities — what does each location bring to the experience?

In 2026, Forward will arrive in Frankfurt for the first time, followed by Berlin and Vienna. We choose our locations very deliberately. Vienna is our home base. Berlin remains one of the most culturally and creatively influential cities in the world. And Frankfurt takes centre stage this year as World Design Capital — making it the perfect moment for our debut there.

In every city, we aim to weave the local creative scene into the programme, organising side events in exciting venues so that guests can experience the city beyond the festival itself.

Beyond the talks, Forward has a strong experiential side. How important is the more playful aspect of the festival?

It is absolutely essential.

Talks are educational, empowering, and inspiring — but one of our key ambitions is to offer something more: a chance to step out of routine, breathe, and genuinely enjoy the moment.

We want people to connect in a relaxed environment, have meaningful conversations, and leave feeling truly recharged. Those two days should feel as rewarding as they are enriching.

The experiential side of Forward — including the market and creative installations — is becoming increasingly central to the festival. How is this dimension evolving, and what can audiences expect from it in 2026?

Creating experiences beyond the stage has become a fundamental pillar of the festival, and we are embracing it more than ever. In 2026, visitors can expect more interactive side events, outstanding performances, and, of course, some unforgettable parties. That is all we can reveal for now :)

If you had to highlight a few must-see moments — what shouldn’t we miss at Forward Festival 2026?

Our Frankfurt debut is a great place to start — featuring talks by Mike Meiré, Erik Kessels, Johanna Jaskowska, Base Design, Studio Dumbar/DEPT®, and many more. The entire city will be alive with creative energy during World Design Capital.

Then Berlin: the world premiere of Stefan Sagmeister’s brand-new talk, where he will openly share the most challenging experience of his career — what it cost him and what he ultimately learned from it. Also in Berlin, The Mill will premiere our 2026 Main Titles, which promise to be something truly special.

And finally Vienna — our home. It is always the emotional finale of the season, and we always go all out.

Beyond that, we are preparing some outstanding programme highlights across all three festivals that we are not quite ready to reveal yet. Stay tuned.

What is the long-term vision for Forward Festival over the next five years?

To continue celebrating creativity, empowering more creatives to turn their ideas into action, and expanding our community — perhaps even welcoming one or two new host cities along the way. Ultimately, our ambition is to contribute to making the world a better place through creativity. Dream big.

A festival redefining contemporary creativity

What Forward proposes in 2026 is not a passing trend, but a shift in mindset. Creativity moves beyond isolated inspiration to become a strategic, actionable tool, deeply connected to reality.

At a time when ideas are abundant but execution is scarce, Forward Festival positions itself as the turning point many professionals are looking for.

(*) Photos courtesy of Forward Festival.

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