Anti-Discrimination
Code of Conduct

The Berlinale believes in the importance of a globally connected film and media community that advocates a diverse, inclusive, equal and fair film industry based on the values of artistic excellence, vibrant filmmaking, mutual respect, freedom of speech and progressiveness.

As a public institution, the Berlinale is obliged to comply with the German Grundgesetz (Basic Law) and the General Act on Equal Treatment. Based on this statutory framework, the Anti-Discrimination Code of Conduct sets out the rules of social interaction for all areas of the Berlin International Film Festival:

The Berlinale does not tolerate any form of favouritism, hurtful language, discrimination, abuse, marginalisation or insulting behaviour on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion, background, skin colour, religious belief, sexuality, gender identity, socioeconomic class, caste, disability or age. The Berlinale does not accept sexism, racism, colourism, homophobia, biphobia, interphobia and transphobia or hostility, antisemitism, Islamophobia, fascism, age discrimination, ableism and other and/or intersectional forms of discrimination.

In addition, the Berlinale does not tolerate any acts of violence, abuse or harassment of any verbal, physical, sexual or other nature towards its visitors, guests, partners and employees. In the event of a violation of the Code of Conduct, the Berlinale reserves the right to revoke and deny persons access to the festival with immediate effect.

Accessibility

The Berlinale’s inclusion services

Awareness Team

If you have experienced or observed discrimination in connection with the Berlinale, you can email at any time of the year to report the incident. In addition, an Awareness Team of trained anti-discrimination consultants will be available during and shortly after the festival to ensure compliance with the Berlinale’s code of conduct and anti-discrimination policy. When and how the Awareness Team for the next Berlinale can be contacted will be announced in the run-up to the upcoming festival.

The Awareness Team is there to listen, understand and advise people confidentially and, in the first instance, always anonymously. At the request of the person seeking advice, the Awareness Team will inform the Berlinale and will consult it about possible measures to be taken. The implementation of these measures is the responsibility of the Berlinale. The service is aimed at anyone who, during the Berlinale, witnesses, experiences or is affected by discrimination as laid out in the festival’s Code of Conduct. The Berlinale is very grateful for your active assistance and encourages all visitors, guests, partners and employees to report any incidents to the Awareness Team.

The Berlinale aims to create an environment in which respectful and equitable exchange for all festival participants can take place.

This service does not constitute a further psychological consultation. For further consulting services, the following contact persons and advice centres are available free of charge, anonymously and confidentially; they also operate outside the festival period:

The German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency

The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency is a point of contact for individuals affected by discrimination. The German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) regulates this protection.

Type of counselling: telephone and email
Telephone: +49 (0) 30 18555-1855
E-mail:
Consultation hours: Monday 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm, Wednesday and Friday from 9.00 am to 12.00 noon
Languages: German, English
Website: www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de

GLADT – independent, multilingual, queer

GLADT is an organisation of Black and POC lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans, inter and queer people in Berlin. It campaigns on various levels against racism, sexism and trans, inter and homophobia, ableism and other forms of discrimination. It focuses in particular on intersectionality, meaning the overlap and interactions of different forms of discrimination and the specific experiences that result from them.

Type of advice: by phone and by email. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face consultations are currently not possible. However, phone, video or chat counselling sessions can be arranged.
Address (barrier-free): GLADT e.V., Lützowstraße 28, 10785 Berlin
Telephone: +49 (0)30 58 76 84 93 00
Email:
Languages: Urdu, Punjabi, Turkish, Hebrew, Farsi, German, English. Interpreters for German sign language, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Georgian and Russian can also be called in as required.
Website: www.gladt.de/
Info in German sign language here: https://gladt.de/gsg/

The "Violence against Women" Telephone Hotline

The "Violence against Women" telephone hotline is a nationwide counselling service for women who have experienced or are currently experiencing violence. Counselling is also available to relatives, friends and professionals who are dealing with affected individuals.

Type of counselling: telephone and online (barrier-free)
Telephone: 08000 116 016
Consultation hours: daily, also at weekends, around the clock
Languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish, Kurmanji, Romanian, Polish, Russian, Albanian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Farsi, Arabic
Website: www.hilfetelefon.de

The Anti-Discrimination Network Berlin (ADNB) of the Turkish Union in Berlin-Brandenburg (TBB)

The ADNB is a counselling centre primarily for people living in Berlin who are experiencing racist and related discrimination (People of Colour, Black people, Muslims, Roma, Sinti, Jews, people with a migration background and/or refugee experience and others).

Type of advice: due to the COVID-19 pandemic, advice is currently being given chiefly by phone or email. On-site consultations (in Berlin) can only be offered to a limited extent and in urgent cases.
Address (barrier-free by appointment): ADNB des TBB, Oranienstraße 53, 10969 Berlin
Telephone: +49 (0) 30 61 30 53 28
Email:
Office hours: consultation by telephone without an appointment is available on Tuesdays from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm and Thursdays from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm on the following number: +49 (0)157 8510 6697 (NB: this number is only for consultations without an appointment).
Languages: German, English, Turkish, Romanian, Arabic, Spanish and עברית. If your language is not listed, the ADNB will find an interpreter.
Website: www.adnb.de

OFEK – Counselling and Intervention Centre in Cases of Anti-Semitic Violence and Discrimination

The growing number of cases of anti-Semitic violence and discrimination has resulted in an increasing need for counselling that specialises in anti-Semitism. The OFEK counselling centre advises individuals and their families and relatives as well as witnesses in cases of anti-Semitic violence in school, at work, in the community, in the personal environment and by public authorities. It also supports institutions – including municipalities, schools and associations – that are seeking professional advice following anti-Semitic incidents.

Type of advice: by telephone, by email and personal consultations (across Germany) by appointment.
Telephone Hotline: +49 (0)30 610 80 458, +49 (0)176 458 755 32
Consultation by telephone: Mondays 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00 am to 12.00 pm, Wednesdays and Fridays 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm
Email:
Languages: German, Hebrew, Russian and English.
Website: www.ofek-beratung.de