Forward Festival Vienna returns to Gartenbaukino on October 1–2, 2026, bringing together more than 25 international voices from across design, art, advertising, technology and the wider creative industries. Under this year’s theme, “Turn Ideas into Action,” the two-day festival shifts the focus from inspiration alone to the process of making ideas real, through experimentation, collaboration and creative practice.
The 2026 programme features creatives including Mirko Borsche, Annie Atkins, Erik Kessels, CacheteJack and Luna Maurer, alongside talks, workshops, exhibitions, side events, an expo area and networking opportunities. Through keynotes, conversations and interactive formats, Forward offers a behind-the-scenes look at how leading creatives develop their work, make decisions and navigate the challenges behind bringing ambitious projects to life.