Berlinale Classics Regulations

Berlinale Classics celebrates the premieres of digitally-restored film classics and rediscoveries. Those films are screened in brilliant picture and sound quality. The programme is organised by the Deutsche Kinemathek.

For all applications the General Guidelines for Film Submission and Participation apply.

1. Eligibility

Eligible for the Berlinale Classics are high-quality restorations of feature films and documentaries of at least 60 minutes running time that:

• had their premiere before 2005 and were released internationally in cinemas.

The restored version

• May not have been screened outside its country of origin at festivals, in cinemas, on TV, on the internet, or streaming platforms, or released on DVD/Blu-ray. World premieres are given priority.
• was completed within the 12 months prior to the start of the festival. Re-submissions are not eligible.
• Has to be available in the formats DCP or 35mm. Other formats only upon request.

Films are invited by the section head in consultation with the festival’s artistic director.ided for in these guidelines.

2. Selection and Programming

Films are invited by the section head in consultation with the festival’s Artistic Director..  

3. Language Version and Subtitles

All selected films are screened in their original version. English subtitles are required for non-English language films; additional German subtitles are welcomed, but are not mandatory. The submitting entity is responsible for meeting the costs of subtitling and providing the subtitled version on time.

4. Film Entry

Please contact the Berlinale Classics team to submit a film and receive a registration link: .