Congratulations, you’re invited to the biggest cinephile party—the Berlin Film Festival 2024!
The Berlinale is a universally acknowledged giant of the film festival world, hanging out with the likes of Venice and Cannes, but stealing the spotlight with its sheer size and the crowd it pulls.
In this piece, we’ve gathered everything you need to know to enjoy this cinematic event in Berlin, and feel like the main character.
A festival like no other: what is the Berlin Film Festival known for?
The Berlin Film Festival is renowned for its eclectic mix of films, including feature films, documentaries, and shorts—all spanning genres and geographies. It’s the spot where the pros and the up-and-comers get to show off their work to the whole world. Plus, the Berlinale has a reputation for diving deep into the big issues, giving the mic to stories and voices from all sorts of backgrounds. Really, it’s the place to be if you’re into movies that make you think and feel.
Image Credit: Getty Images, fhm. Image Location: Potzdamer Platz, Berlin, Germany
Where and when: Berlin Film Festival dates and venue
Where is the Berlin Film Festival held?
The Berlinale spreads its atmosphere throughout Berlin, with the pulsating heart of the festival located at Potsdamer Platz. However, the festival’s magic also sprinkles across various venues, like the Academy of Arts (Akademie der Künste am Hanseatenweg), Filmtheater Colosseum, and Delphi-Filmpalast am Zoo Kino, among others. At the Berlinale, they’ve even got this cool section called “Goes Kiez”, all about shouting out neighborhood movie theaters. Seriously, Berlin’s got so many arthouse theaters, it’s perfect for a bit of movie hopping!
Berlin Film Festival 2024 dates
The wait’s over, and the dates for the Berlin Film Festival 2024 are officially out. Get ready to light up Berlin’s chilly February with some movie magic from February 15 to 25, 2024. It’s the perfect antidote to the winter blues, turning the city into a buzzing hub of cinematic thrills.
Image Credit: Getty Images, KLH49
Berlin Film Festival FAQ
Is the Berlin Film Festival open to the public?
Yes, the Berlin Film Festival prides itself on its inclusivity. It’s not like those other snooty film fests where you feel like you gotta be part of some exclusive club to get in. The Berlinale rolls out the red carpet for all movie buffs, no matter where you’re from. You can simply buy tickets and dive into the movie madness with everyone else.
When do Berlinale tickets go on sale?
Tickets are up for grabs from Monday, February 12, 2024, at 10am. Get ready to book your spot!
How can I book tickets to the Berlin Film Festival?
You can book tickets online, available three days before the screening date, starting at 10 am. For special screenings like Berlinale Publikumstag, Verti Music Hall, and Kohlhiesel’s Daughters at Haus der Kulturen der Welt, tickets are available right from the sale's start on February 12, 2024.
Any tips for sold-out screenings at the Berlin Film Festival?
Keep an eye on the online ticket shop, especially an hour before the screening. Extra tickets might pop up for sold-out events!
Are there any age restrictions at the Berlin Film Festival?
Yep, 18 and over for most screenings, except for “Generation” screenings. If there’s an FSK age-rating, that’ll guide who can get in.
How do I get my tickets to Berlinale?
After booking, you’ll get your tickets via email as a PDF (print@home), QR code, or wallet tickets for smartphones. Remember, you need to create an Eventim account to buy tickets.
Can I buy tickets in person in Berlin?
Absolutely! Visit any Eventim system box office in Berlin. If you’re not online, call +49 30 259 20 970 between 1pm and 5pm from February 14 for help.
How much do Berlinale tickets cost?
Prices vary by event, ranging from €9 (just under $10) for Generation screenings to €28 (just over $30) for Berlinale “Classics”. There are discounts for students, people with disabilities, and more. Check the full price list on the official Berlin Film Festival website for details.
Any group deals?
For the Generation section, groups of six or more get special rates, starting at €5.50 (around $6) per ticket. Call the hotline on 0800 7240322 for bookings.
Can I bring a bag?
Big bags and backpacks are a no-go at Berlinale venues. For safety, expect bag checks at the entrance.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Bernd Schuettke. Image Location: Zoo Palast, Berlin, Germany
Can anyone attend film festivals?
So, here’s the lowdown on getting into the big three European film fests. Berlinale in Berlin is super chill and lets pretty much anyone grab a ticket and enjoy the show, making it a blast for film fans of all stripes. Cannes, on the other hand, is more exclusive, like a VIP club for film industry folks, so you’ll need to score accreditation to join that party. Venice Film Festival is the cool middle kid, offering tickets to the public and letting you soak in some cinematic magic against a gorgeous backdrop. Each fest has its own vibe, but they all celebrate the awesome world of movies in their unique ways.
What will be playing at the Berlin Film Festival?
Berlinale is like a giant movie buffet spread out across Berlin, and here’s your plate to load up:
- Competition: Movies here are gunning for the Golden Bear, which is like the festival’s best picture Oscar. It’s a mix of the hot new stuff everyone’s talking about and gems waiting to be discovered. Some titles in this section for 2024 include: Keyke mahboobe man (My Favorite Cake) by Maryam Moghaddam, Sterben (Dying) by Matthias Glasner, and Another End by Piero Messina.
- Panorama: Got a taste for the wild stuff? This section is where movies go off the beaten path. Think bold stories, new voices, and films that might just change your mind about something. Must-sees this year include Crossing by Levan Akin, Afterwar by Birgitte Stærmose, and No Other Land by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor.
- Forum: If you’re into movies that make you think, Forum’s got your back. It’s all about films that dare to be different, tackling big issues and experimenting with how stories are told. Critics especially highlight Pa-myo by Jang Jae-hyun, Reas by Lola Arias, and Il cassetto segreto (The Secret Drawer) by Costanza Quatriglio.
- Generation: Who said film festivals are only for adults? Generation brings films for and about the younger crowd, proving that age is just a number when it comes to great storytelling. Some of the section’s standouts are Last Swim by Sasha Nathwani, Sukoun by Dina Naser, and Uli by Mariana Gil Ríos.
- Berlinale Special: Want to see what the big names in cinema are up to? This section’s got special screenings of films by famous directors or with star-studded casts, reflecting on the history of cinema and adjacent art forms. This year’s gems include Das leere Grab (The Empty Grave) by Agnes Lisa Wegner and Cece Mlay, Hako Otoko (The Box Man) by Gakuryu Ishii, and exergue – on documenta 14 by Dimitris Athiridis.
- Berlinale Encounters: Movies from this section, as the festival curators themselves put it, seek to question the limits of genre and cinematic truths, and make the invisible visible. Don’t miss out on Tú me abrasas (You Burn Me) by Matías Piñeiro, Through the Graves the Wind is Blowing by Travis Wilkerson, and Mãos no fogo (Hands in the Fire) by Margarida Gil.
- Berlinale Shorts: Short films get their moment to shine here. It’s mind-blowing what filmmakers can do in just a few minutes, from making you laugh to pulling at your heartstrings. Featured titles to catch are Adieu tortue (Bye Bye Turtle) by Selin Öksüzoğlu, Shi ri fang gu (Sojourn to Shangri-La) by Lin Yihan, Ungewollte Verwandtschaft (Unwanted Kinship) by Pavel Mozhar, and That’s All From Me by Eva Könnemann.
- Retrospective & Homage: This is the festival’s way of showing love to the classics and the legends of cinema. Don’t miss out on your chance to see old favorites on the big screen and pay tribute to the stars and directors who made them. 2024’s selection starts in the early 1960s, with Tobby (1961), Zwei unter Millionen (Two Among Millions, 1961), and Die endlose Nacht (The Endless Night, 1963).
Trains to Berlin
There you have it—the Berlinale in a nutshell. No matter what kind of movie fan you are, there’s something here for you. So, book your train tickets to Berlin, dive in, and enjoy the show! Flying in and need to get to the city center quickly? Here's our guide to how to get from Brandenburg airport to Berlin by train. Trains in Germany also give you options to extend your visit beyond the capital: check out our guide to the best day trips from Berlin.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, FotoundFilmproduktion. Image Location: TV Tower, Berlin, Germany