Feb 22, 2023
Successful First Part of the 73rd Berlinale

After a celebratory start, the 2023 Berlinale is delighted to report a lively audience interest. Full cinemas, glamourous Red Carpets and numerous prominent guests mark the first part of the Berlinale. The latest highlight was yesterday’s awarding of the Honorary Golden Bear to US director Steven Spielberg. In front of a standing ovation of an audience of 1,600, he accepted the prestigious award after a laudatory speech given by U2 singer Bono at the Berlinale Palast. Already before entering the hall, there had been a standing ovation lasting several minutes.

“We’re very pleased to see that the cinemas are at full capacity, that audiences are once again able to experience cinema together and that the festival is once again a place for exciting experiences, inspiring encounters and vivacious exchange,” commented the festival directors Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian.

Until this morning (February 22), 267,000 tickets have already been sold. The new Berlinale venue Verti Music Hall has been very well-received by audiences.

Screening attendance by trade visitors and the press is also very high – sometimes at 100 per cent and 90 per cent on average.

On the Berlinale Publikumstag, Sunday February 26, 2023, there will be an encore for audiences: Numerous festival films from various sections will be repeated at the Berlinale venues. Tickets for the Berlinale Publikumstag have been available since February 13.

Press Office
February 22, 2023