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By Miranda Murray
BERLIN (Reuters) – The Berlin Film Festival, born out of post-war Germany’s desire to engage with the world, opens its 75th edition on Thursday.
Below are some facts about the festival and the 2025 contenders:
WHEN IS THE FESTIVAL?
The festival opens on February 13 with the premiere of “The Light”, by the Berlin-based “Run Lola Run” director Tom Tykwer, and ends on February 23. The closing ceremony, where the Golden Bear top prize is handed out, takes place on February 22. WHERE IS IT HELD?
The festival takes place in the heart of the German capital, near Potsdamer Platz. The nearby Theater am Potsdamer Platz is transformed into the red-hued Berlinale Palast during the festival. It also brings a selection of films to arthouse cinemas across the city to reach more audiences. HISTORY OF THE BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL
The festival was founded in 1951 in the early years of the Cold War to showcase films that address urgent social and political issues in the world. In part due to its origins in a city divided, it is considered the most political of the top international festivals.
GUEST LISTSeveral A-list celebrities are set to brighten up the city, including Timothee Chalamet for the German premiere of the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” as well as Robert Pattinson alongside director Bong Joon Ho to present their new dystopian sci-fi “Mickey 17.”
Actor Tilda Swinton will be in town to accept the honorary Golden Bear award, with a congratulatory speech promised from Oscar-nominated German director Edward Berger of “Conclave”.
Toni Collette, Marion Cotillard, Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater, Gaspar Noe, Margaret Qualley, Andrew Scott, Chloe Sevigny, Tom Tykwer and Ben Whishaw are also expected to grace the red carpets.
WHAT MOVIES HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE FESTIVAL?
There are several categories, including Special, which often showcases celebrity-heavy films that premiered elsewhere, and the new Perspectives, focused on new film makers.
The Competition category for the Golden Bear consists of 19 contenders this year, which include:
“Ari” by Leonor Serraille”Blue Moon” by Richard Linklater
“The Safe House” by Lionel Baier
“Dreams” by Michel Franco”Dreams (Sex Love)” by Dag Johan Haugerud”What Does that Nature Say to You” by Hong Sangsoo
“Hot Milk” by Rebecca Lenkiewicz”If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” by Mary Bronstein”Kontinental ’25” by Radu Jude”The Message” by Ivan Fund”Mother’s Baby” by Johanna Moder”Reflection in a Dead Diamond” by Helene Cattet and Bruno Forzani”Living the Land” by Huo Meng”Timestamp” by Kateryna Gornostai”The Ice Tower” by Lucile Hadzihalilovic”The Blue Trail” by Gabriel Mascaro
“What Marielle Knows” by Frederic Hambalek”Girls on Wire” by Vivian Qu
“Yunan” by Ameer Fakher Eldin
ARE ANY BIG FILMS BEING SHOWN OUT OF COMPETITION?
Like other festivals, Berlin reserves a number of spots for interesting movies that are shown out of competition. This year, besides “A Complete Unknown” and “Mickey 17,” there is the Benedict Cumberbatch-headed “The Thing with Feathers” about a man coping with his wife’s death, “Lurker” with up-and-coming actor Archie Madekwe, and prisoner-of-war drama series “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” with Jacob Elordi.
(Reporting by Miranda Murray; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
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