Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival) 2025

Berlin is famous for being a cosmopolitan, bohemian capital with a strong international appeal. This becomes especially apparent during the Berlinale, one of the most influential events in the world film industry.

Festival Highlights

Over 20,000 film professionals and critics and numerous film fans from more than 120 countries get accreditation to visit the Berlin International Film Festival every year. Berlinale sells over 300,000 tickets; the numbers speak for themselves, proving that the festival draws one of the biggest audiences in the world.

Program

Each year, the Berlinale showcases around 200 films spanning all genres, lengths, and formats across its diverse sections and special presentations. From feature films to documentaries and experimental works, the program invites audiences to explore contrasting perspectives, challenge their views, and rediscover the art of storytelling through a blend of classic narratives and innovative aesthetics. The 75th Berlin International Film Festival will open on February 13, 2025, with the world premiere of Tom Tykwer’s latest feature film, Das Licht (The Light).

Entertainment

The festival offers much more than just film screenings. For the two weeks, workshops, engaging panel discussions, and joint projects create a space for collaboration among all the participants. The exclusive Berlinale parties become informal meetings for people, art, glamour, and business.

History

The Berlin International Film Festival has a rich and eventful history. Established in 1951 during the early days of the Cold War, it was conceived as a “showcase of the free world” for the Berlin public. Influenced by the post-war era and the division of the city, the Berlinale evolved into a hub for intercultural dialogue and a stage for films critically examining social issues. Today, it remains renowned as the most politically engaged of all major film festivals.