In the heart of Berlin, the Berlin International Film Festival – also known as the “Berlinale” – is a showcase for the promotion of the art and industry of cinema. Its intention is to support a better co-operation and understanding between cultures from around the world by presenting innovative works of merit.  

The Festival Director is responsible for inviting films to take part in the International Competition. The Festival Director receives the advice of foreign and German consultants. Unless specifically instructed otherwise, all films offered for consideration for the Competition may be considered for participation in the Panorama. 

1. Only feature films intended for theatrical release may submitted.
2. Films in 35mm or 70mm format may participate. D-cinema screenings are possible upon agreement. (The Competition has no video section).
3. The films must have been produced within 12 months before the beginning of the festival.
4. Participation at another international festival precludes entry into the Berlinale's Competition.
5. The films may have been released commercially only in their country of origin. Presentation of a film on television or in the Internet also precludes participation in the Competition of the Berlinale.
6. German films must be world premieres. They may not have been shown commercially in cinemas or previously screened at a festival.

 

 

The festival director reserves the right to settle all cases not covered by the guidelines and to grant exceptions in special cases. World premieres are given priority in the selection process. 

All films are shown in their original language with subtitles. The festival must be provided with both one English and one German subtitled version of the film as a minimum requirement. German language films must include English subtitles.  

 

The version released in the country of origin is regarded as the original version of the film. In the case of films in several languages, the subtitling may only differ from these guidelines if agreed upon with the festival.  

The deadline for entries as well as sending the films must be strictly observed. Written registration as well as a copy of the submitted film must reach Berlin by the submission deadline. We recommend providing film prints of all submitted productions. In special cases video formats are accepted. Working copies or double-head projection can be arranged for, if agreed with the festival. 

For each film selected the Festival must receive detailed documentation immediately, including: a synopsis of the film, the original text of dialogues or commentary together with a list of the German subtitles, a biography and complete filmography of the director and of the leading actors, a selection of stills from the film, a recent photograph of the director, and a full list of artistic and technical credits.  

To award the Golden Bear and Silver Bears, the Festival Director appoints the members of the International Jury as well as its President. The International Jury is composed of at least seven foreign and German personalities. No person who has participated in the production or promotion of any film selected for the Competition may serve on the Jury.  

 

The Festival Director or his representative may attend jury deliberations but will take no part in the voting. Jury decisions will be taken on an absolute majority, or, failing that, by a relative majority reached by a third ballot. Jury members are sworn to secrecy. Jury discussions and ballots remain strictly confidential even after the Festival has ended.  

The Jury is obliged to award the following prizes to films participating in the International Competition:  

• the Golden Bear for the best film (for the producer)
• the Jury Grand Prix (Silver Bear)
• the award for the best director (Silver Bear)
• the award for the best actress (Silver Bear)
• the award for the best actor (Silver Bear)
• the award for the best script (Silver Bear)
• the award for an outstanding artistic contribution in the categories camera, editing, score, costumes or set design (Silver Bear)
• The Alfred Bauer Prize – in memory of the festival’s founder – for a feature film that breadens the horizons of the art of filmmaking.

 

Among feature films, only one Bear may be attributed exaequo. With the exception of the acting awards and the Alfred Bauer Prize, the Jury is not permitted to award several prizes to the same film.  

 

The Festival expects the prize-winners to attend the awards ceremony in person. Each film selected will receive a Certificate of Participation.  

The Festival expects the official Festival logo with either “Competition 2009” or ”Official Programme 2009“ to be displayed in all advertising and promotional material of all invited films. These should also be clearly visible for theatrical release as well as for Video/DVD distribution in Germany and abroad. Award-winning films will receive the appropriate logo with the name of the prize. To require the logo, please contact .  

 

For all further questions, the General Regulations of the Berlin International Film Festival will be applied. 

Download the Competition Regulations Form 2009, PDF (61 KB)