Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival)

18 Feb 2024

Since it was established in 1951, Berlinale (okay, Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, to be exact) has been one of the most celebrated events on the movie calendar. Film festivals don’t come more prestigious than this. Initially a June tradition, the festival moved to February in 1978 and hasn’t looked back, reinforcing its position as one of the Big Five film festivals on the planet in the years since. The annual program is packed with premieres and special presentations, with more than 400 movies across a broad range of genres played yearly and some of the most important awards on the planet handed out. We’re talking Golden Bear, that level of importance.

The festival program is spread across nine sections, covering everything from mainstream to avant-garde via short films, LGBTQI+ films, youth cinema, and classic films. A major networking fair is held alongside the festival, where many of the world’s most important movie names and faces meet to discuss whatever people discuss when they are networking. Hotels and apartments fill up way ahead of time when Berlinale dates are announced, so don’t hesitate to make those bookings if you fancy rocking up to one of the world’s great film festivals. Dress up smart, and get ready for the red carpet.

Visit the official Berlinale website for the full programme of this year's festival and for ticket information.