StoryFusionBerlin x Goldener Spatz Berlinale MeetUp

Join us for Insights, Inspiration & Networking during Berlinale 2026 focusing on Storytelling in Games for Young Audiences | 16 February | Landesvertretung Thüringen

• Monday, 16 February 2026

• 14:00 – 16:00 (admission starting at 13:30)

• The Representation of the Free State of Thuringia

• Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße 6410117 Berlin

• Metro Station: Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße

• Registration required (see below)

  
  

This Berlinale special is an exclusive collaboration between the German Children’s Media Festival Goldener Spatz and StoryFusionBerlin – Berlin’s long-running meetup for storytellers and narrative innovation. For this event, we join our strengths to create an inspiring afternoon of insights, exchange and networking at the intersection of games, storytelling, film and children’s media.

Bridging the festival expertise of Goldener Spatz with Berlin’s international storytelling and games community, this Berlinale MeetUp explores how narrative games can spark curiosity, empathy, and agency – and how we can support outstanding interactive storytelling today, not only in entertainment, but also as a vital part of media literacy and children’s digital culture.

We’re excited to welcome Martin Thiele-Schwez from the Berlin-based serious games studio Playing History, who will share insights into his work on games for young audiences. In addition to being a Goldener Spatz nominee in the Interactive & Digital Storytelling Competition 2025 with THE FEED, Playing History won the Grimme Award 2025 and has just been awarded the Theodor Heuss Medal for its innovative serious games, which enable young people to explore history through narrative play.

Join us for the guest talk, Q&A and our get-together – and meet fellow creatives and industry stakeholders interested in shaping the future of interactive storytelling for young audiences.

Please note that photo, film and audio recordings will be made during the event. By registering, you agree that recordings of you may be used for event coverage and promotional purposes.

As capacity is limited, registration is required and open until 7 February here: https://goldenerspatz.de/festival/wettbewerb-interaktives-und-digitales-storytelling/berlinale-meetup/

Update, 30 January: We are excited about the amazing response and amount of registrations. We are now operating a waiting list. If you are no longer able to attend, please let us know by emailing presse@goldenerspatz.de, so we can offer your place to someone else.

About Goldener Spatz

The German Children’s Media Festival Goldener Spatz is Germany’s largest festival for audiovisual children’s media. Each year, it honours outstanding films, series, shows, games and digital storytelling experiences for young audiences. The 34th edition of the festival will take place 7–13 June 2026 in Gera and Erfurt.

The Interactive & Digital Storytelling Competition (which I'm leading since 2019) showcases the best story-driven digital experiences for children up to the age of twelve, highlighting the diversity of digital storytelling formats. The festival’s main award – the Goldener Spatz – is decided by its audience: a dedicated children’s jury of five young experts aged 11 to 13 from Germany and other German-speaking regions.

About StoryFusionBerlin

StoryFusionBerlin is Berlin’s (and my) long-running meetup and community for storytellers and narrative innovation. StoryFusionBerlin brings together people from across storytelling and media to share insights, explore new techniques, and discuss the intersection of storytelling and technology. 

Originally founded in 2011 as Transmedia Storytelling Berlin (TMSB), StoryFusion has evolved into an open, non-profit space for exchange, inspiration and networking, spanning transmedia, narrative design, and storytelling in any field. 

Each meetup features a guest talk, Q&A, and an informal get-together afterwards. Events are free and open to everyone, with limited capacity and registration required. Currently hosted by me, Christina Maria Schollerer, and Fritz Schumann.

Follow StoryFusionBerlin on LinkedIn for infos on the next MeetUp.