Panorama Regulations

1. Eligibility

Eligible for Panorama are fiction feature films, documentaries, animation or experimental films, which

• are of at least 60 minutes running time.
• are available as world or international or European premieres. Submitted films must not have been presented publicly in Europe outside their country of origin, participated in any European film festival outside of their country of origin, or have been theatrically released outside their country of origin. World premieres are given priority (see General Information on Premiere Status). The film’s country of origin is determined by the registered office address of the production company. In case of international co-productions the main country of production will be considered as the country of origin.
• have not been presented publicly in Germany. Accordingly, German films may have been presented publicly outside of Europe but must not yet have been publicly exhibited anywhere in Europe including their country of origin, Germany.
• have neither been broadcast on television nor presented on the internet/VOD.
• were completed within the 12 months prior to the start of the festival.
• are intended for theatrical release.
• have never been submitted to the Berlinale for selection.

For all applications the General Guidelines for Film Submission and Participation apply. The Festival Director reserves the right to decide on any eventuality not foreseen in these guidelines.

2. Selection and Programming

The Festival Director and the head of Berlinale Panorama invite films to participate in Berlinale Panorama.  They are supported by an international group of programme advisors and experts.

3. Format, Language Version and Subtitles

All films invited to participate in Panorama must be made available in the formats DCP or QuickTime ProRes – 35mm or other formats only upon request.  

The films will be presented in their original version with English subtitles. The version (to be) released in the country of origin is regarded as the original version. The film’s producer is responsible for meeting the costs of subtitling and providing the subtitled version on time.

To improve the festival’s accessibility offers, an additional version with German subtitles and/or an HI/SDH version with open captions in German or English is desirable but not mandatory.