THIS WAS FORWARD FESTIVAL 2024

The 2024 season has come to an end and we are more than happy to share a little recap. With stops in four iconic European cities – Hamburg, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Vienna – this year’s festival unleashed a fire of creativity. Artists, designers, and creatives gathered to explore the future of design, art and creative culture, celebrating a range of transformative talks, workshops and side events. 


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As the 2024 Forward Festival moved across these four cities, one central theme became increasingly clear: the evolving role of creativity in a world undergoing rapid technological and social changes. From discussions on AI’s role in the creative process to the exploration of human-centered design, each stop on the festival&#8217;s journey delved deeper into how the creative community must adapt to a constantly shifting landscape. The festival didn’t just present the latest trends; it urged attendees to rethink creativity’s role in addressing some of the biggest challenges of our time – technological disruption, social responsibility, and the need for authenticity in an increasingly digital world.
The Return to Hamburg
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-35320" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240425_Nils-Leon-Brauer_Forward-Festival_10h_46m_L1002325-1000x667.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240425_Nils-Leon-Brauer_Forward-Festival_10h_46m_L1002325-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240425_Nils-Leon-Brauer_Forward-Festival_10h_46m_L1002325-2000x1335.jpeg 2000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240425_Nils-Leon-Brauer_Forward-Festival_10h_46m_L1002325-700x467.jpeg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240425_Nils-Leon-Brauer_Forward-Festival_10h_46m_L1002325-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240425_Nils-Leon-Brauer_Forward-Festival_10h_46m_L1002325-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240425_Nils-Leon-Brauer_Forward-Festival_10h_46m_L1002325-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /> 
The festival returned to Hamburg to kick off its 2024 season at Jupiter, a transformed shopping mall venue that hosted over 1,500 creatives. Hamburg set the tone for the year by diving headfirst into the intersection of AI and creativity. Speakers like Mieke Haase and Fan Shi tackled the controversial topic of AI&#8217;s growing influence in design, addressing both its potential and its challenges. While some worried that AI could threaten the authenticity of human creativity, others like Vinzent Britz offered a more optimistic view, positioning it as a tool to expand the creative process rather than replace it.
In addition to these forward-thinking discussions, talks from creative legends such as Jean-Remy von Matt and the colorful presentation by the Swedish agency SNASK reminded attendees of the power of boldness and bravery in design. The art of balancing technology with human emotion emerged as a crucial takeaway from Hamburg, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of these themes throughout the festival season.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-35321" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24HH_Nils_Leon_Brauer-1000x611.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="611" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24HH_Nils_Leon_Brauer-1000x611.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24HH_Nils_Leon_Brauer-700x428.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24HH_Nils_Leon_Brauer-768x469.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24HH_Nils_Leon_Brauer-1536x939.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24HH_Nils_Leon_Brauer.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /> 
Debut in Amsterdam
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-35322" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240523-19.51-FF24AMS-Extra-©-Alex-Heuvink-1000x667.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240523-19.51-FF24AMS-Extra-©-Alex-Heuvink-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240523-19.51-FF24AMS-Extra-©-Alex-Heuvink-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240523-19.51-FF24AMS-Extra-©-Alex-Heuvink-700x467.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240523-19.51-FF24AMS-Extra-©-Alex-Heuvink-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240523-19.51-FF24AMS-Extra-©-Alex-Heuvink-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240523-19.51-FF24AMS-Extra-©-Alex-Heuvink.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
Amsterdam made its debut at Forward Festival this year, gathering 1,500 creative professionals at the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. While the focus on new technologies continued, the Amsterdam stop also zoomed in on embracing uncertainty and adaptability in the creative process.
British filmmaker Anna Ginsburg’s talk exemplified this perfectly, as she showcased her range of work, from stop-motion to hand-drawn animation, emphasizing how embracing unpredictability often leads to the most powerful creative results. The theme was further explored by Jonas Hegi and Rory Cahill of Builders Club, who discussed how modern creatives must constantly adapt to an ever-changing world. This concept of learning to thrive in uncertainty resonated with Felix Pfäffli’s approach to &#8220;planning the unplannable,&#8221; adding a layer of excitement and spontaneity to the festival’s narrative.
Creativity as a dynamic force — one that thrives on adaptability — was the lasting message in Amsterdam. In a world where rapid technological change is the norm, the ability to shift and evolve became a celebrated trait of modern creatives.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-35323" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24AMS_NiklasSchnaubeltAlexHeuvink-1000x611.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="611" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24AMS_NiklasSchnaubeltAlexHeuvink-1000x611.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24AMS_NiklasSchnaubeltAlexHeuvink-700x428.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24AMS_NiklasSchnaubeltAlexHeuvink-768x469.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24AMS_NiklasSchnaubeltAlexHeuvink-1536x939.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24AMS_NiklasSchnaubeltAlexHeuvink.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /> 
Summer in Berlin 
<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-35326" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_Day1_Fabian_Brennecke_14h_44min_20sec-1000x714.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="714" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_Day1_Fabian_Brennecke_14h_44min_20sec-1000x714.jpeg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_Day1_Fabian_Brennecke_14h_44min_20sec-2000x1429.jpeg 2000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_Day1_Fabian_Brennecke_14h_44min_20sec-700x500.jpeg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_Day1_Fabian_Brennecke_14h_44min_20sec-768x549.jpeg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_Day1_Fabian_Brennecke_14h_44min_20sec-1536x1097.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_Day1_Fabian_Brennecke_14h_44min_20sec-2048x1463.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
Forward Festival took a bold leap by hosting its Berlin edition for the first time in summer, giving it an extra layer of vibrancy. The Haus der Kulturen der Welt welcomed over 40 international creatives to discuss the future of design, digital art, and beyond.
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Berlin’s chapter added a fresh angle to the festival’s overarching theme: creativity as a form of rebellion and reinvention. Amidst the rising influence of AI, Berlin&#8217;s speakers emphasized the importance of remaining hands-on and deeply connected to human emotion. Taiwanese artist Ariel Lu embodied this balance, blending cutting-edge technology with deeply personal storytelling. Meanwhile, Stefan Sagmeister&#8217;s talk on how &#8220;the world keeps getting better&#8221; offered an optimistic counterpoint to the often dystopian fears surrounding technological advances.
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Max Siedentopf’s humorous take on how &#8220;everyone is a designer these days&#8221; echoed the broader theme of democratization of creativity, where the boundaries between professional and amateur creators blur in a world where digital tools are widely accessible. Shane Griffin and Emily Wengert added depth to the conversation by exploring the blending of physical and digital worlds, making Berlin’s festival a hotbed for discussions on how designers can use technology not as a crutch, but as a tool for deeper exploration.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-35327" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_FabianBrenneckeNilsLeonBrauner-1000x611.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="611" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_FabianBrenneckeNilsLeonBrauner-1000x611.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_FabianBrenneckeNilsLeonBrauner-700x428.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_FabianBrenneckeNilsLeonBrauner-768x469.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_FabianBrenneckeNilsLeonBrauner-1536x939.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24BLN_FabianBrenneckeNilsLeonBrauner.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /> 
Grand Finale in Vienna
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-35328" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241003-19.24-FF24VIE-©-Alex-Heuvink-1000x667.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241003-19.24-FF24VIE-©-Alex-Heuvink-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241003-19.24-FF24VIE-©-Alex-Heuvink-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241003-19.24-FF24VIE-©-Alex-Heuvink-700x467.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241003-19.24-FF24VIE-©-Alex-Heuvink-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241003-19.24-FF24VIE-©-Alex-Heuvink-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241003-19.24-FF24VIE-©-Alex-Heuvink-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
The final stop of the Forward Festival 2024 in Vienna served as both a culmination and a celebration of the themes incorporated through the year. Held at multiple venues across the city, Vienna was not just a grand finale but a powerful reflection on the role of creativity as a transformative force in the world.
The final stop of the Forward Festival 2024 in Vienna served as both a culmination and a celebration of the themes woven through the year. Held at multiple venues across the city, Vienna was not just a grand finale but a powerful reflection on the role of creativity as a transformative force in the world.
Speakers like Erik Herrström emphasized the importance of human connection in an increasingly automated world, while Mr. Bingo shared how technology can actually empower artists to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build direct relationships with their audience. In many ways, Vienna served as the closing chapter on the debate between technology and human emotion, showing that they are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary forces in the creative process.
Afro-Belgian artist Loulou João offered one of the most emotionally charged moments of the festival, discussing the power of creating visual spaces that reflect personal identity. Her work highlighted how, in the face of a lack of representation, artists can use their platforms to create their own narratives and challenge stereotypes.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-35329" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24_VIE_AlexHeuvink-1000x611.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="611" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24_VIE_AlexHeuvink-1000x611.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24_VIE_AlexHeuvink-700x428.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24_VIE_AlexHeuvink-768x469.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24_VIE_AlexHeuvink-1536x939.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF24_VIE_AlexHeuvink.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /> 
Creativity as a Force for Adaptation, Authenticity &amp; Change
Across all four cities, the 2024 Forward Festival challenged the creative community to rethink its role in a fast-evolving world. Whether it was exploring the potential of AI in Hamburg, embracing uncertainty in Amsterdam, rebelling against the status quo in Berlin, or finding authenticity in technology in Vienna, the festival was united by the theme of creativity as a force for adaptation and change.
The 2024 season wasn’t just about showcasing the latest trends – it was about encouraging creatives to question the very foundations of their work and the industry they inhabit. With AI, technology, and human emotion forming the backdrop of these discussions, Forward Festival 2024 left attendees with one message: In a world that’s constantly changing, creativity must evolve, challenge, and ultimately drive that change forward. 
As we look ahead to the next season, one thing is certain: Forward Festival will continue to be a beacon for those seeking not just inspiration, but meaningful dialogue on how creativity can shape a better, more thoughtful world.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-35319" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240425_Nils-Leon-Brauer_Forward-Festival_20h_18m_L1180335-1000x667.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /> 
Credits: 
Hamburg Photos: 
© Nils Leon Brauer
Amsterdam Photos: 
© Alex Heuvink 
© Niklas Schnaubelt
Berlin Photos: 
© Fabian Brennecke 
© Nils Leon Brauner
Vienna Photos: 
© Alex Heuvink
Last Photo: 
© Nils Leon Brauer