The International Forum of New Cinema – or Forum – is the most daring section of the Berlinale programme. Avant-garde, experimental, essays, lengthy observations, political reportages and yet-to-be-discovered cinematographers: in the Forum everything new or unconventional comes together and finds an audience known for its enthusiasm and discerning cinematic eye.

 

The Forum places emphasis on young filmmakers and works that push the limits of the medium and perception itself. Appropriately, all formats are welcome. Documentaries and feature films are treated equally. The Forum programme reflects a desire for a radical, impartial exploration of the grey area between genres. The Forum also shows unusually long films that would have little chance of being screened elsewhere. More than a few unforgettable late nights belong to the history of the festival.

 

The Forum has always explored the boundaries between art and cinema. Forum expanded, launched in 2006, presents film, video and installation works on various themes in locations around Berlin and ventures to provide critical commentary on and broaden the horizons of the cinematographic.

The Forum programme has always had a significantly political profile. In the late Sixties, when political debate began to delve into more and more aspects of society, Ulrich and Erika Gregor founded the International Forum of New Cinema in co-operation with the “Friends of German Cinemateque e.V.” (renamed "Arsenal - Institute for Film and Video Art" in 2008). It aimed to promote film as a platform for cultural exchange and political discussion. First conceived as a counter-event to the Berlinale, the Forum joined the Berlinale as a parallel festival in 1970 – adding a new dimension to the entire festival.

 

The famous scandal that surrounded Michael Verhoeven’s Competition entry o.k. was the culmination of a latent internal disagreement, and was to finally put the Berlinale on a new track. The Forum has since become a permanent feature of the Berlinale programme and has contributed considerably to the festival’s unique character.

 

The Forum was run by Ulrich and Erika Gregor for more than 20 years, until Christoph Terhechte took over as director in 2001. He belongs to a generation whose cinematic education was largely shaped by the Forum. Under Terhechte’s leadership, the section continues to strive to meet high political and artistic standards.

 

From the beginning the Forum saw itself as a working meeting. It always stressed the importance of constructive debate over glamour and glory. The section organises accompanying discussions and workshops and publishes a comprehensive catalogue of background information and reviews.

 

No official prizes are awarded in the Forum. During the early years, the section deliberately distinguished itself from the competitive nature of the Competition. However, several independent juries award prizes within the framework of the Forum. The Caligari Prize as well as one of the three prizes awarded by the FIPRESCI Jury go to a film in the Forum. Since 2007 the Best First Feature Award encompasses Forum films as well..

The International Forum of New Cinema also has its own website:  www.arsenal-berlin.de/forum