Turning ideas into action. Building Creative Communities with Othmar Handl the Founder of Forward Festival.

How do you turn a passion project into a 10-year movement that connects thousands of creatives across the globe?

In this episode, we sit down with Othmar Handl, the founder of Forward Festival—Europe’s leading creative conference bridging design, communication, and inspiration. We get into the behind-the-scenes of what it really takes to build a community-led festival, how to monetise events without killing the magic, and why creativity is a competitive advantage every founder should care about, and how Forward Festival is keeping those who dare to stand out up to date on what's possible.

We discuss the challenges of running a festival during a global pandemic, staying ahead of industry trends, and the surprising power of vulnerability, consistency, and obsession in building something that matters.

Whether you’re building a brand, a business, or a movement—this one’s for you.

💡 What we cover:

• The untold story behind Forward Festival’s rise
• What makes a real creative community (and why that matters for business)
• How to generate revenue without selling out
• Post-COVID pivots and the future of physical events
• Staying in sync with trends without chasing hype
• Where the best creative talent hides—and how to attract them
• Turning creative chaos into sustainable structure

“If you're not aware of what’s creatively possible, you risk falling behind—and fast.”

🔗 Links & Mentions:

• Forward Festival
• @forwardfestivals
• Othmar Handl on LinkedIn

• Forward Festival is celebrating 10 years of creativity. Don’t just watch—be part of it.

In the hope that those stories 🔥 up your ass as much as they do to ours. This podcast is brought to you by SERIOUS.BUSINESS.

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