Furthermore, the festival presents an exhibition of legendary illustrators such as Keiichi Tanaami, the 73-year-old icon of Japanese pop art and former art director of the Japanese Playboy, who is regarded as one of the main influences of artists like Takahashi Murakami. The Young Illustrators Award follows the most current trends in illustration, critiqued and selected by an international jury. During the first weekend of the festival, a conference will be held, at which experts, designers, and artists will thoroughly examine the artistic, political, and aesthetical field of illustration.

Often they undergo a complete metamorphosis into moving images (animation), major book art objects, or integrated as graphic sketches on textile, glass or wood. Next to the explicit reference to analogue and digital craft, the different artists also showcase the most importantly perceived trends in regards to content: as a criticism of consumerism and society, as an aesthetic statement, or as a visionary sketch of utopian scenarios.