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
Contact Anti-Discrimination & 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 from theAssociation for Anti-Discrimination and Educational Work BDB e.V and the Landesvereinigung Selbsthilfe Berlin e. V. will be available during and shortly after the festival to ensure compliance with the Berlinale’s code of conduct and anti-discrimination policy. The availability of the Awareness Team for the next Berlinale will be announced in advance of the 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: