Competition Regulations

In the heart of Germany’s capital city Berlin, the Berlin International Film Festival – also known as the ‘Berlinale’ – serves as a showcase for film art and the film industry. Its aim is to promote better co-operation and understanding between cultures by presenting films that are innovative and of high quality.

World premieres are given priority.
German films have to be world premieres.

Accepted formats: 35mm and DCP (The Competition does not present video formats)
Date of completion: Within the 12 months prior to the Festival

Eligible are feature films of at least 70 minutes running time which

• are intended for theatrical release.
• have not participated at any international film festival. A presentation at national festivals / national showcases in the country of origin will be tolerated.
• have not been released commercially other than in their country of origin.
• have neither been presented in television nor in the internet / VOD.
• German films must not have been screened publicly before the Festival.

The Festival Director has the right to settle any cases not covered by the regulations.

All films have to be registered onlinen at online film entry. The entry fee is € 125 and payment can be effected by credit card only (Visa, American Express, MasterCard) during the online submission process.

The Festival Director invites films to participate in the international Competition. The Director is advised by German and international professionals. Any film submitted for the Competition may be considered for the Panorama unless specifically instructed otherwise by the applicant.

The duly completed online entry form as well as the screening material for selection must reach the Festival by the deadline.

Formats accepted for selection are film prints, DVD and Blu-ray (region free / all regions). Please contact the programme organisation for DCP or other formats (additional charges may arise). If you apply for several sections and your submission format is DVD / Blu-ray, you are kindly requested to possibly send two screeners to our attention.

Films should be submitted for selection in their original language with English subtitles.

All films invited to participate in the Festival are screened in their original language with subtitles. The Festival must be provided with both a German subtitled and an English subtitled version of every film as a minimum requirement. Films in German must be subtitled in English. The film’s producer is responsible for meeting the cost of subtitling.
The version released in the country of origin is regarded as the original version. In the case of films in several languages, the language of the subtitled print screened at the Festival may only deviate from this directive with the Festival’s approval.

Members of an International Jury and its president are appointed by the Festival Director to award the Golden Bear and Silver Bears. The International Jury comprises at least seven German and foreign personalities. No person who has participated in the production or commercial exploitation of a film in Competition may serve on the Jury.

The Festival Director (or an authorised representative) attends the jury’s deliberations but does not participate in voting.

The jury’s decisions are based on an outright majority, or, failing that, by a relative majority reached in a third ballot. Jury members are sworn to secrecy. Jury deliberations and ballots are strictly confidential even after the Festival has ended.

The jury is obliged to award the following prizes to films participating in the Competition

• the Golden Bear for the Best Film (awarded to the film’s producer)
• the Jury Grand Prix (Silver Bear)
• the Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear) – in memory of the Festival Founder – for a feature film that opens new perspectives
• the Award for Best Director (Silver Bear)
• the Award for Best Actress (Silver Bear)
• the Award for Best Actor (Silver Bear)
• the Award for Best Script (Silver Bear)
• the Award for an Outstanding Artistic Contribution in the categories camera, editing, music score, costume or set design (Silver Bear)

Only one Bear may be awarded ex aequo. The jury may not award more than one prize to the same film, except in the case of the acting awards.

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

For any further questions the General Regulations of the Berlin International Film Festival apply.