The Panorama within the Official Programme presents new works by well-known directors, as it showcases debut films and exciting new discoveries. The selection of films gives an overview of trends in art-house world cinema. It attempts to bridge the divide between artistic vision and commercial interests.

 

The Panorama takes full advantage of the opportunity to present to a critical and passionate urban audience films which might go unnoticed in a purely commercial or less open-minded environment. An intended effect of this is to embolden film buyers to be open to films with controversial subjects or unconventional aesthetic styles – a phenomenon which has become a trademark of the section.

Both in style and in content, the Panorama’s film selection is extremely diverse and open to all sides. Traditionally the so-called "Auteur" film is well represented. The programme presents both new developments in the societies of the world as well as different lifestyles. It also enables a special focus on particular topics or countries.

 

All films in the Panorama section are, outside of their countries of origin, either world premieres or European premieres. After screenings, members of the audience and press have the opportunity to discuss the films with the directors, producers and actors. This personal contact is crucial to the success of Panorama.

 

The Panorama Main Programme screens about 18 feature films. These are generally a selection of international productions which have the potential to reach out to a large art-house audience. Some of the audience's favourite films over the last few years included Sue by Amos Kollek, Solas von Benito Zambrano, Walk on Water by Eytan Fox, Crustacés et Coquillages by Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau, and Container by Lukas Moodyson.

 

Panorama Dokumente offers a special focus of 10 to 15 of the world's most interesting documentary films. These often deal with social topics or contemporary themes. Alongside background reports such as Inside Deep Throat and Tigerwomen grow wings, recent programmes were also marked by music documentaries and artist portraits.

The Panorama Special shows major independent productions, as well as films by important American studios. Around 16 titles are selected. In previous years such classics as Brassed Off, Fucking Amal, Owning Mahowny and Wolfsburg or more recently Breakfast on Pluto, Tough Enough and Komm näher | Happy as one have been good examples of how the Panorama Special can be a springboard to wider cinema distribution. The evening galas in this programme take place in Berlin's flagship cinema, the Zoo Palast.

 

Panorama has always dedicated a great deal of attention to short films and presented roughly 25 works annually. This territory is especially rich in aesthetic innovation and therefore ideal for discovering new talents early in their careers. Beginning with the Berlinale 2007, the commitment of Panorama’s short film programming spilled over into the new “Berlinale Short Film” section, which was created in co-operation with the Berlinale Competition.

 

A number of renowned prizes from the Independent Juries are awarded as part of Panorama. These include the "Teddy Award", the well-known gay and lesbian film prize, which started out in Panorama, but which can be awarded to film from any section. Also several independent juries award their prizes to Panorama films, including the FIPRESCI, Amnesty International and Label Europa Cinema awards. The Panorama Audience Award, in which more than 20,000 audience members participate, holds a special significance.

Panorama has its roots in the "Info-Schau", which during the 1970s was a complimentary section of the Competition programme. In 1980, Manfred Salzberger , an important figure in Berlin's independent cinema scene and co-initiator of the International Forum of New Cinema, was given the task of creating an original profile for this programme. In 1982, Salzgeber recruited Wieland Speck to his team and developed a section, whose focus was on social conflicts and which refused to shy away from hot topics. In 1986 he named it Panorama.

The section's commitment to gay and lesbian film was already clearly visible in the 80s with films like Rob Epstein's and Richard Schmiechen's The Times of Harvey Milk, Greta Schiller's Before Stonewall, Gus Van Sant's Mala Noche or Pedro Almodovar's The Law of Desire. Still today, this commitment is internationally regarded as one of the Panorama`s outstanding qualities. In 2006, the gay-lesbian Teddy award, which emerged from the Panorama and today considers all Berlinale sections , could celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Since 1992 the section has been directed by Wieland Speck. He carries on the work of his predecessor and successfully brings challenging independent films out of their niche market into the international spotlight.

 

A list of films that were screened in the Panorama in recent years.