Berlin - a cosmopolitan, exciting capital, a city of culture with international appeal. In the middle of it all: the Berlinale – not only the city’s largest cultural event, but also one of the most important dates on the international film industry’s calendar. More than 19,000 film professionals from 128 countries, including about 4,000 journalists, are accredited for the Berlin International Film Festival every year. The Berlinale is truly a mega event. At the same time, it is a festival of encounters and discussions. With almost 300,000 tickets sold, the Berlinale is not only a film industry meeting. It also enjoys one of the largest film festival audiences in the world. For two weeks, art, glamour, parties and business meet at the Berlinale.
A Wide World of Film
About 400 films are shown every year as part of the Berlinale's public programme, the vast majority of which are world or European premieres. Films of every genre, length and format can be submitted for consideration. The Berlinale is divided into different sections, each with its own unique profile: big international movies in the Competition, independent and art-house productions in Panorama, movies specially for a young audience in the Generation section, the most exciting German cinema productions in Perspektive Deutsches Kino, an in-depth look at films from “distant” countries and experimental forms in the Forum, as well as an investigation of diverse cinematic possibilities in the Berlinale Shorts. The programme is rounded off by a thematic Retrospective and a Homage, which focuses on the lifework of a great cinema personality. Both of these sections, which are curated by the Berlin Film Museum, aim to place contemporary cinema within a historical context.
The European Film Market (EFM), the film trade fair integrated into the Berlinale has developed into one of the most important events for the international film business. The Berlinale and EFM, the festival and the market, together form a unique network of formal and informal connections. Since 2006, the main venue of the EFM has been the Martin-Gropius-Bau, a prestigious location with charm and character in the immediate vicinity of the festival centre at Potsdamer Platz.
Showing, enabling, initiating...
The Berlin International Film Festival sees itself as a showcase for what is happening in cinema, but also as an actor and propagator on the international film circuit. Whether through film series, workshops, panels and thematic collaborations with other cultural players - the Berlinale offers countless forms of co-operation and creative interaction.
One of the many fruits of the festival’s cooperative orientation is the Berlinale Talent Campus, which takes place during the festival and is made possible by a broad network of creative partners. The Campus invites about 350 young film talents from around the world to meet with experienced film professionals and personalities for a week of workshops and discussions. This “talent forge” is primarily about the transfer of know-how, teamwork and the exchange of ideas. The Campus is an investment in the future of the festival, but even more so in the future of cinema.
In terms of thematic focal points and forms of presentation, the Berlinale situates itself at the meeting point of the available and the possible. This fundamental openness for new ideas and solutions, for unconventional formats and surprising lateral connections also finds expression in ongoing initiatives that are permanently embedded in the festival. Such as the Berlinale Co-Production Market, which, associated to the European Film Market, provides fruitful territory for international co-productions; or the World Cinema Fund (WCF), a joint initiative with the German Federal Cultural Foundation. The idea and aim of this support mechanism is the realisation of film projects in structurally disadvantaged countries and strengthening their position in the international film industry. The Fund’s activities continue throughout the year and therefore stretch far beyond the festival itself.
The Berlin Spirit
Artists from around the world are attracted to Berlin and many consider Berlin the unofficial capital of German film. It is home to a rich cinema scene and a diverse, discerning public. Last but not least, Berlin has captured the imagination of countless filmmakers. Over and over again, the city has served as the backdrop for great silver screen productions, often becoming itself the secret protagonist of the movie. Think “film” and “Berlin” is bound to spring to mind. For two weeks every year Berlin is totally enraptured by the Berlinale.
In support of the convicted Iranian director Jafar Panahi, the Berlin International Film Festival is launching a number of initiatives at the upcoming Berlinale. In 2011 the Festival will show several films by Jafar Panahi in a number of its sections and so draw attention to the extraordinary oeuvre for which this artist has been sentenced by the Iranian regime. For February 17, 2011 the Berlinale Talent Campus and the World Cinema Fund are organizing a panel discussion with Iranian filmmakers and artists on censorship, and the restriction of freedom of opinion and expression in Iran.
Jafar Panahi at the Berlinale 2006
Shortly after the Berlinale invited Jafar Panahi to be on this year’s International Jury, he was sentenced to six years in prison and banned from filmmaking for the next 20 years. Ever since, people have been protesting worldwide against this verdict as it violates the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the arts. In his films, Jafar Panahi critically explores the social situation in his homeland. His conviction violates the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the arts.
The Berlin International Film Festival very strongly condemns the harsh sentences imposed on Jafar Panahi and his colleague director Mohammad Rasoulof. The Berlinale is holding a place open in the Jury for Jafar Panahi to signalize its support for his struggle for freedom. Festival Director Dieter Kosslick states: “We invited Jafar Panahi to be on the International Jury in 2011. But then in December 2010 he was sentenced to six years imprisonment and banned from filmmaking for the next 20 years. We are going to use every opportunity to protest against this drastic verdict.”
On February 17, the
Berlinale Talent Campus and the
World Cinema Fund are organizing a panel discussion entitled
“Censored Cinema” with Iranian filmmakers and artists on censorship, and the restriction of freedom of opinion and expression in Iran. The filmmakers Rafi Pitts (
The Hunter, Berlinale Competition 2010), Ali Samadi-Ahadi (
The Green Wave, 2010) and Sepideh Farsi (
Tehran Without Permission, 2009) as well as author and activist Mehrangiz Kar will take part in the discussion. The event will be held in the Hebbel am Ufer / HAU1 at 2:00 pm.
To draw attention to the fact that International Jury member Jafar Panahi will not be able to attend the Berlinale, the Festival will show one film by this renowned director in each of several sections.
Offside by Jafar Panahi
On February 11, 2011, the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, the prize-winning Berlinale film
Offside (2005, Silver Bear 2006) will be shown in the Berlinale Palast at 4:30 pm. Many illustrious guests are expected who want to express their solidarity by attending the screening. Festival Director Kosslick will introduce the film.
Each of the following screenings in the Jafar Panahi film series will be introduced and presented by Iranian directors or actors:
Forum
Talaye sorkh (Crimson Gold), 2003 on February 12 in Cinestar 8 at 11:00 am
Introduction & Presentation by Rafi Pitts
Berlinale Shorts
Untying the Knot, 2007 on February 12 in CinemaxX 5 at 4:00 pm
Introduction & Presentation by Ayat Najafi
(Repetition of Untying the Knot on February 16 in CinemaxX 3 at 10:00 pm, on February 17 in Colosseum 1 at 5:45 pm, on February 18 in CinemaxX 5 at 4:00 pm)
Generation
Badkonak-e Sefid (The White Balloon), 1995 on February 14 in House of World Cultures (HKW) at 4:30 pm
Introduction & Presentation by Jasmin Tabatabai (actress)
Panorama
Dayereh (The Circle), 2000 on February 17 in Cinestar 3 at 5:45 pm
Introduction & Presentation by Ali Samadi Ahadi
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