Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-09-01
Submission start time
2025-11-03
Submission end time
2026-01-20
Finalist notification start time
2026-01-20
Finalist notification end time
2026-02-12
Award ceremony start time
2026-02-22
Award ceremony end time
Introduction to the film festival
The Berlin International Film Festival (hereafter referred to as “Berlinale”) is organised by the Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin GmbH. The Berlinale is a major public cultural event and, with over 330,000 tickets sold and the participation of around 20,000 professional visitors from more than 100 countries, including more than 3,500 journalists, it is one of the international film industry’s most important events. The Berlinale programme consists of around 400 films and comprises the Official Programme (Competition, Encounters, Berlinale Shorts, Panorama), the Generation and Perspektive Deutsches Kino sections, as well as the Forum, which is organised independently by the Arsenal - Institute for Film and Video Art. Films can be submitted to one or more of the sections mentioned above. The person responsible for the accuracy of the information given in the online film submission form (hereinafter called “the submitter”) selects the appropriate section(s) during the film submission process. The Berlinale is a FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations) accredited festival and is subject to its guidelines.
Awards
Golden Bear, Silver Bears, GWFF Best First Feature Award, Berlinale Documentary Award, Teddy Awards、Award for Best Film, Award for Best Director, Special Jury Award, GWFF Best First Feature Award, Berlinale Documentary Award, Teddy Awards、GWFF Best First Feature Award, Berlinale Documentary Award, Teddy Awards, Panorama Audience Awards、GWFF Best First Feature Award, Berlinale Documentary Award, Teddy Awards, Caligari Film Prize、Crystal Bears, Awards of the Generation International Juries, GWFF Best First Feature Award, Berlinale Documentary Award, Teddy Awards、Golden Bear, Silver Bear,Berlin EFA Nominee, Teddy Award、Compass-Perspektive-Award, Kompagnon-Fellowship, GWFF Best First Feature Award, Berlinale Documentary Award, Teddy Awards, Heiner Carow Prize
Rules
Only films that have been formally submitted can be considered for selection.
Film registrations are accepted exclusively online.
Submission deadlines (the following deadlines must be met without exception):
Films which have been submitted and viewed for previous editions of the Berlinale may not be registered again.
Only films completed within the 12 months prior to the start of the festival may be registered.
World premieres are preferred in all sections. However, except for German films, a theatrical release as well as a festival participation in in the main country of origin will be accepted. European premieres are considered only by the sections Panorama, Generation, and Forum. German premieres are not eligible. Kindly note the respective premiere status minimum requirement of each section. Further information on the definition of the various premiere statuses can be found in the FAQ.
While feature-length films need a minimum running time of 60 min, Berlinale Shorts accepts films up to 30 min, short films for Generation will be accepted up to 20 min.
Series are programmed by process of invitation to submit.
The Festival Director reserves the right to rule on any cases not provided for in these guidelines individually.
Every submitter will receive a written notification about the result of the selection screening. Due to the large number of submissions received, we are unable to provide individual feedback on selection decisions.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Beijing Public Network Security No. 11011202000526
