Series of Texts: Historic Berlinale Debuts

The new Perspectives section is launching in 2025 and is dedicated to discovering and supporting exceptional feature film debutants from around the world. In its 75-year history, the Berlinale has presented a large number of unforgettable first films which have often sparked impressive, decades-spanning careers. The texts on Berlinale Debuts offer a selection of the most striking examples.

© Studiocanal GmbH © Studiocanal GmbH

10th Berlin International Film Festival 1960

À bout de souffle by Jean-Luc Godard

© Werner-Herzog-Film / Deutsche Kinemathek © Werner-Herzog-Film / Deutsche Kinemathek

18th Berlin International Film Festival 1968

Signs of Life by Werner Herzog

© mk2 © mk2

36th Berlin International Film Festival 1986

Mala Noche by Gus Van Sant

© Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin © Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin

38th Berlin International Film Festival 1988

Hong gaoliang by Zhang Yimou

© 2002 JVS GmbH &Co. OHG © 2002 JVS GmbH &Co. OHG

53th International Berlin Film Festival

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind by George Clooney

56th International Berlin Film Festival

Grbavica by Jasmila Žbanić

© kineo Film / Weydemann Bros. / Yunus Roy Imer © kineo Film / Weydemann Bros. / Yunus Roy Imer

69th International Berlin Film Festival

Systemsprenger by Nora Fingscheidt