Discourse on Diversity, Representation & Queer Film History: Initiatives and events around the Berlinale

The Berlinale is one of the world’s largest public film festivals and strives to be a place where everyone can feel comfortable and safe. With this responsibility in mind, the festival continuously works to create spaces that are respectful, accessible, and as free from discrimination as possible. Below you will find a selection of initiatives and events that highlight this commitment and further deepen the ongoing exchange.

List of events related to diversity, representation and queer film history at and around the Berlinale:

• Public events at the festival
• Festival events that are accessible for accredited Industry Guests and Press only
• Additionally, the festival supports the following external events

• TEDDY AWARD: Introduction to the queer Films of the Berlinale
  Thursday, 05.02.2026, 7–10pm / Volksbühne (Roter Salon)
• TEDDY 40: Queer Cinema, Activism, and Cultural Impact
  Friday, 13.02.2026, 7.30–9.00pm
• TEDDY Jury Reception
  Friday, 13.02.2026, 9.30–11pm
• WILD AT HEART: Rooms That Became Revolutions
  Saturday, 14.02.2026, 11–12 noon
• WILD AT HEART: The TEDDY as a Catalyst
  Saturday, 15.02.2026, 11–12.15 noon
• DIRECTORS EXCHANGE: Cinematic Inheritance: Pioneers and Emerging Voices
  Monday, 16.02.2026, 10–10.45am
• DIRECTORS EXCHANGE: Standing in the Way of Control
  Monday, 16.02.2026, 11–11.45am
• Berlinale Forum Expanded: Augmenting Histories: Indigenous Approaches to XR Media Art
  Monday, 16.02.2026, 3pm
• Berlinale Talents: Filming Under Siege
  Monday, 16.02.2026, 5–6.30pm
• WILD AT HEART: Community as Infrastructure in Queer Film Culture
  Tuesday, 17.02.2026, 11–12.15 noon
• Rebellion Revisited – Haile Gerima und Charles Burnett im Gespräch
  Tuesday, 17.02.2026, 2pm (Delphi)
• TEDDY TALENTS TALK: Confusion as Catalyst: Queering Cinema Beyond Boundaries
  Tuesday, 17.02.2026, 5–6.30pm
• WILD AT HEART: Subversive Reimagining of Cinematic Spaces
  Wednesday, 18.02.2026, 11– 12.15 noon
• Berlinale Retrospektive: Introducing the Queer Cinema Archive!
  Wednesday, 18.02.2026, 1–2.30pm / Deutsche Kinemathek
• TEDDY TALK: Queer Creations, part 4
  Wednesday, 18.02.2026, 3–4.30pm
• QUEER YOUR PROGRAM: Speedy Film Pitches
  Wednesday, 18.02.2026, 5–6pm
• QUEER INDUSTRY RECEPTION
  Wednesday, 18.02.2026, 6–8pm
• WILD AT HEART: Embedding Queer Cinema in Industry Structures
  Thursday, 19.02.2026, 11–12.15 noon
• THE 40. TEDDY AWARD CEREMONY
  Friday, 20.02.2026, 8.30–10.30pm

• EFM Industry Programme: Resiliant by Design : Women Shaping Tech-Driven Businesses
  Sunday, 15.02.2026, 10–11.00am, Documentation Center Event Hall
• EFM Industry Programme: The EURODOC Decolonial Archive Roadmap
  Tuesday, 17.02.2026, 1-2.00pm, Documentation Center Event Hall

• Power to Transform! Globar Forum for Women Film Organizations
  Friday, 13.02.2026, 2.30–4pm
• Kongress „Connect for Change - Dialoge auf Augenhöhe“
  Friday, 13.02.2026, 2–5pm & 6–8pm
• WIFT Berlinale Veranstaltung
  Saturday 14.02.2026, 10am
• AfroBerlin – The Generational Legacy Edition
  Saturday–Tuesday, 14.–17.02.2026, 9:00am–6pm
• Salzgeber & m-appeal Berlinale 2026 Party
  Sunday, 15.02.2026, 10pm
• AI Masterclass, Well-Being Best Practices & Cocktail reception at EWA Network's Annual Event. A networking event for filmmakers, producers & creatives at Berlinale
  Monday, 16.02.2026, 11am–6pm
• The BIPoC Alliance – ACCESS UNLOCKED
  Monday & Tuesday, 16.–17.02.2026