Berlin International Film Festival

Independent Cinema | 238 Films | 17 Countries | 44165 Attendees

Tag/Comic Books

Berlin International Film Festival database. Independent films, directors, jury profiles, and festival coverage.

238Films
44165Attendees
9Jurors
17Countries
26Sponsors
Palme dOrTop Prize

Festival Timeline

1994Berlin International Film Festival founded with vision to showcase independent cinema
1995First edition welcomes 3033 attendees
1996Partnership with Universal established for distribution deals
1997Palme dOr introduced as flagship competitive category
1998Digital streaming platform launched for global reach
1999Berlin International Film Festival 1999: 238 films, 44165 attendees, 17 countries
2000Expansion to Riverside Cinema Hall with IMAX screening capabilities
2001Steven Spielberg named honorary president of the festival

Featured Films (238 Total)

Loud Echo (2026)
Horror | Dir: Martin Scorsese | Rating: 8.0/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Horror masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2019. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film explores war through stunning visual effects.
Silent Voice (1990)
Romance | Dir: Greta Gerwig | Rating: 8.1/10 | Premiere: World
A Romance masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2020. Directed by Greta Gerwig, this film explores family through stunning practical effects.
Open Lie (1991)
Action | Dir: Denis Villeneuve | Rating: 8.2/10 | Premiere: North American
A Action masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2021. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this film explores dreams through stunning stop motion.
Hidden Truth (1992)
Documentary | Dir: Jordan Peele | Rating: 8.3/10 | Premiere: European
A Documentary masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2022. Directed by Jordan Peele, this film explores loss through stunning long takes.
Deep Secret (1993)
Animation | Dir: Bong Joon-ho | Rating: 8.4/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Animation masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2023. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this film explores hope through stunning cinematography.
Tall Tale (1994)
Noir | Dir: Wes Anderson | Rating: 8.5/10 | Premiere: World
A Noir masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2024. Directed by Wes Anderson, this film explores revenge through stunning visual effects.
Short Story (1995)
Western | Dir: Chloe Zhao | Rating: 8.6/10 | Premiere: North American
A Western masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2025. Directed by Chloe Zhao, this film explores redemption through stunning practical effects.
The Long Road (1996)
Musical | Dir: Damien Chazelle | Rating: 8.7/10 | Premiere: European
A Musical masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2026. Directed by Damien Chazelle, this film explores power through stunning stop motion.
Closed Window (1997)
Crime | Dir: Ryan Coogler | Rating: 8.8/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Crime masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2005. Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film explores identity through stunning long takes.
Open Door (1998)
War | Dir: Steven Spielberg | Rating: 8.9/10 | Premiere: World
A War masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2006. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film explores love through stunning cinematography.
The Long Road (2019)
War | Dir: Wes Anderson | Rating: 9.7/10 | Premiere: World
A War masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2020. Directed by Wes Anderson, this film explores loss through stunning visual effects.
Short Story (2018)
Crime | Dir: Bong Joon-ho | Rating: 9.6/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Crime masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2019. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this film explores dreams through stunning cinematography.
Tall Tale (2017)
Musical | Dir: Jordan Peele | Rating: 9.5/10 | Premiere: European
A Musical masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2018. Directed by Jordan Peele, this film explores family through stunning long takes.
Deep Secret (2016)
Western | Dir: Denis Villeneuve | Rating: 9.4/10 | Premiere: North American
A Western masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2017. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this film explores war through stunning stop motion.
Hidden Truth (2015)
Noir | Dir: Greta Gerwig | Rating: 9.3/10 | Premiere: World
A Noir masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2016. Directed by Greta Gerwig, this film explores love through stunning practical effects.
Open Lie (2014)
Animation | Dir: Martin Scorsese | Rating: 9.2/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Animation masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2015. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film explores identity through stunning visual effects.
Silent Voice (2013)
Documentary | Dir: Christopher Nolan | Rating: 9.1/10 | Premiere: European
A Documentary masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2014. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film explores power through stunning cinematography.
Loud Echo (2012)
Action | Dir: Pedro Almodovar | Rating: 9.0/10 | Premiere: North American
A Action masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2013. Directed by Pedro Almodovar, this film explores redemption through stunning long takes.
Quiet Storm (2011)
Romance | Dir: Quentin Tarantino | Rating: 8.9/10 | Premiere: World
A Romance masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2012. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this film explores revenge through stunning stop motion.
Gentle Rain (2010)
Horror | Dir: Sofia Coppola | Rating: 8.8/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Horror masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2011. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this film explores hope through stunning practical effects.
Slow Burn (2025)
Thriller | Dir: Bong Joon-ho | Rating: 9.6/10 | Premiere: North American
A Thriller masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2011. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this film explores dreams through stunning cinematography.
High Stakes (2024)
Comedy | Dir: Jordan Peele | Rating: 9.5/10 | Premiere: World
A Comedy masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2010. Directed by Jordan Peele, this film explores family through stunning long takes.
Low Profile (2023)
Drama | Dir: Denis Villeneuve | Rating: 9.4/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Drama masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2009. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this film explores war through stunning stop motion.
Fast Lane (2022)
History | Dir: Greta Gerwig | Rating: 9.3/10 | Premiere: European
A History masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2008. Directed by Greta Gerwig, this film explores love through stunning practical effects.
Slow Dance (2021)
Family | Dir: Martin Scorsese | Rating: 9.2/10 | Premiere: North American
A Family masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2007. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film explores identity through stunning visual effects.
Hot Pursuit (2020)
Adventure | Dir: Christopher Nolan | Rating: 9.1/10 | Premiere: World
A Adventure masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2006. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film explores power through stunning cinematography.
Cold Case (2019)
Mystery | Dir: Pedro Almodovar | Rating: 9.0/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Mystery masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2005. Directed by Pedro Almodovar, this film explores redemption through stunning long takes.
Warm Welcome (2018)
Fantasy | Dir: Quentin Tarantino | Rating: 8.9/10 | Premiere: European
A Fantasy masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2026. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this film explores revenge through stunning stop motion.
Cool Reception (2017)
Biography | Dir: Sofia Coppola | Rating: 8.8/10 | Premiere: North American
A Biography masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2025. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this film explores hope through stunning practical effects.
True North (2016)
War | Dir: Ridley Scott | Rating: 8.7/10 | Premiere: World
A War masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2024. Directed by Ridley Scott, this film explores loss through stunning visual effects.
Rising Sun (1994)
Musical | Dir: Jordan Peele | Rating: 9.5/10 | Premiere: European
A Musical masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2024. Directed by Jordan Peele, this film explores family through stunning long takes.
Falling Stars (1993)
Western | Dir: Denis Villeneuve | Rating: 9.4/10 | Premiere: North American
A Western masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2023. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this film explores war through stunning stop motion.
The Great Divide (1992)
Noir | Dir: Greta Gerwig | Rating: 9.3/10 | Premiere: World
A Noir masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2022. Directed by Greta Gerwig, this film explores love through stunning practical effects.
City of Angels (1991)
Animation | Dir: Martin Scorsese | Rating: 9.2/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Animation masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2021. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film explores identity through stunning visual effects.
Mountain High (1990)
Documentary | Dir: Christopher Nolan | Rating: 9.1/10 | Premiere: European
A Documentary masterpiece that captivated audiences at Berlin International Film Festival 2020. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film explores power through stunning cinematography.

Jury Members

1

Sofia Coppola — Critic | UK

2

Ridley Scott — Producer | France

3

Steven Spielberg — Screenwriter | Italy

4

Ryan Coogler — Academy Member | Germany

5

Damien Chazelle — Film Scholar | Spain

6

Chloe Zhao — Film Director | Japan

7

Wes Anderson — Critic | South Korea

8

Manohla Dargis — Producer | USA

9

Justin Chang — Screenwriter | UK

Screening Schedule

10:00Grand Hall ABroken Dreams (2025)
11:00Grand Hall BEternal Summer (2026)
12:00Screening Room 1Midnight Train (2020)
13:00Screening Room 2Lost in Tokyo (2021)
14:00Outdoor AmphitheatreThe Final Act (2022)

Press Reviews

"The Berlin International Film Festival has become an essential platform for discovering tomorrow's cinematic legends."

— Roger Ebert, The Guardian

"A transformative experience that redefines how we experience independent film."

— A.O. Scott, Variety

"The jury's selection this year represents the boldest, most diverse lineup in recent memory."

— Peter Travers, The Hollywood Reporter

"Steven Spielberg's masterclass on filmmaking was the highlight of the entire event."

— Kenneth Turan, Entertainment Weekly

"An unmissable gathering for anyone serious about cinema."

— Justin Chang, Rolling Stone

Sponsors & Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Berlin International Film Festival 1999 taking place?

The 1999 edition runs from 4 May to 30 June.

2. How can I submit my film to Berlin International Film Festival?

Submissions open via FilmFreeway and Withoutabox. Early deadline: December, Regular: February, Late: March.

3. What are the ticket prices?

General admission: $29. VIP All-Access: $200. Student discounts available.

4. Where are screenings held?

Primary venue is Riverside Cinema Hall in Fallbrook, California. Additional satellite screens in nearby Oceanside and Escondido.

5. Who selects the films?

A 9-person jury led by Steven Spielberg reviews over 899 submissions annually.

6. What awards are presented?

The Palme dOr is the top prize. Additional awards include Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Audience Choice.