Competition
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A selection of Competition films from previous years
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Dahomey by Mati Diop
FRA, SEN, BEN 2024, Competition
© Les Films du Bal - Fanta Sy
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Anja Plaschg
Des Teufels Bad | The Devil’s Bath by Veronika Franz & Severin Fiala
AUT, DEU 2024, Competition
© Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion / Heimatfilm
![](/media/filmstills/2024/wettbewerb-2024/202414848_1_RWD_1380.jpg)
Veronica Lucchesi, Galatéa Bellugi, Maria Vittoria Dallasta
Gloria! by Margherita Vicario
ITA, CHE 2024, Competition
© tempesta srl
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Black Tea by Abderrahmane Sissako
FRA, MRT, LUX, TWN, CIV 2024, Competition
© Olivier Marceny / Cinéfrance Studios / Archipel 35 / Dune Vision
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Simon Baker, Natasha Wanganeen
Limbo by Ivan Sen
AUS 2023, Competition
© Bunya Productions
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Greta Lee, Teo Yoo
Past Lives by Celine Song
USA 2022, Competition
© Jon Pack
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Antonia Olivares, Daniel García
Robe of Gems by Natalia López Gallardo
MEX, ARG, USA 2022, Competition
© Visit Films
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Elizabeth Banks
Call Jane by Phyllis Nagy
USA 2022, Competition
© Wilson Webb
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Joel Rovira, Ainet Jounou, Isaac Rovira
Alcarràs by Carla Simón
ESP, ITA 2022, Competition
© LluisTudela
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Everything Will Be Ok by Rithy Panh
FRA, KHM 2021, Competition
© CDP, Anupheap Production
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Herr Bachmann und seine Klasse | Mr Bachmann and His Class by Maria Speth
DEU 2021, Competition
© Madonnen Film
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János Fliegauf
Rengeteg – mindenhol látlak | Forest – I See You Everywhere by Bence Fliegauf
HUN 2020, Competition
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Paul Dunca / Paula Dunker, Nicoleta Lefter, Nicodim Ungureanu, Ana Ciontea, Petra Nesvačilová
Babardeală cu bucluc sau porno balamuc | Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn by Radu Jude
ROU, LUX, HRV, CZE 2021, Competition
© Silviu Ghetie / Micro Film 2021
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Fusako Urabe, Aoba Kawai
Guzen to sozo | Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
JPN 2021, Competition
© 2021 Neopa/Fictive
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Nahuel Pérez Biscayart
El prófugo | The Intruder by Natalia Meta
ARG, MEX 2020, Competition
© Rei Cine SRL, Picnic Producciones SRL
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Baran Rasoulof
Sheytan vojud nadarad | There Is No Evil | Es gibt kein Böses by Mohammad Rasoulof
DEU, CZE, IRN 2020, Competition
© Cosmopol Film
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Elio Germano
Volevo nascondermi | Hidden Away by Giorgio Diritti
ITA 2019, Competition
© Chico De Luigi
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Sidney Flanigan
Never Rarely Sometimes Always by Eliza Hittman
USA 2020, Competition
© 2019 Courtesy of Focus Features
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Paula Beer
Undine by Christian Petzold
DEU, FRA 2020, Competition
© Christian Schulz/Schramm Film
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Helena Zengel
Systemsprenger | System Crasher by Nora Fingscheidt
DEU 2019, Competition
© kineo Film / Weydemann Bros. / Yunus Roy Imer
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Ana Brun, Margarita Irún
Las herederas | The Heiresses by Marcelo Martinessi
PRY/URY/DEU/BRA/NOR/FRA 2018, Competition
© lababosacine
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Isle of Dogs | Isle of Dogs – Ataris Reise by Wes Anderson
GBR/DEU 2018, Competition
© 2017 Twentieth Century Fox
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Daniela Vega
Una mujer fantástica | A Fantastic Woman by Sebastián Lelio
CHL/USA/DEU/ESP 2017, Competition
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Véro Tshanda Beya
Félicité by Alain Gomis
FRA/SEN/BEL/DEU/LBN 2017, Competition
© Celine Bozon
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Samuele Pucillo
Fuocoammare | Fire at Sea by Gianfranco Rosi
ITA/FRA 2015, Competition
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Laia Costa
Victoria by Sebastian Schipper
DEU 2015, Competition
© Senator Film Verleih
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Fan Liao
Bai Ri Yan Huo | Black Coal, Thin Ice by Yinan Diao
CHN 2014, Competition
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Erika Bók
A torinói ló | The Turin Horse by Béla Tarr
HUN/FRA 2010, Competition
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Magaly Solier
La teta asustada | The Milk Of Sorrow by Claudia Llosa
ESP/PER 2009, Competition
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Paul Dano, Daniel Day-Lewis
There Will Be Blood by Paul Thomas Anderson
USA 2007, Competition
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Offside by Jafar Panahi
IRN 2005, Competition
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Luna Mijović
Grbavica by Jasmila Zbanic
AUT/BIH/DEU 2005, Competition
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Jeanne Moreau
La Notte | Die Nacht | The Night by Michelangelo Antonioni
ITA/FRA 1960, Retrospective
Source: Deutsche Kinemathek
The Competition is the centrepiece of the Berlinale and the festival’s calling card. With usually around 20 titles, it provides a detailed picture of the cinema as it is and as it will be. Whether from established or up-and-coming directors, films in the Competition present the best of the year’s selection.
As the festival’s centre of gravity, the Competition concentrates the energy of the Berlinale and catches the world’s attention. It is the focal point of the festival and screens some of the year’s most talked-about films, frequently prompting heated debates. Embracing the diversity of cinema and its extensive production in the 21st century, the Competition aims to surprise, entertain and enrich public audiences and industry professionals alike. It reflects and relates to the world in which we are living: its selection allows viewers to understand their place in it more fully and to recognise and respect the place of others.
The Competition screens a wide-ranging representation of the best of established auteur cinema from around the globe and elevates new directors to the upper echelons of international filmmaking. Smultronstället (Wild Strawberries), Les cousins, La notte, Alphaville, Woschoshdenie (The Ascent), Die Sehnsucht der Veronika Voss, Love Streams, The Thin Red Line, Magnolia, Jodaeiye Nader az Simin (Nader And Simin, A Separation) – these are just some of the Golden Bear winners that have gone down in the annals of film history.
Glamorous and cutting-edge, every film of the Competition is introduced by a red carpet ceremony at the Berlinale Palast that casts a special light on the artists, delighting fans and introducing rising stars to the media and the film world. At the Award Ceremony on the penultimate evening of the festival, a high-profile International Jury bestows those world-famous seals of quality: the Golden and Silver Bears.
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Festival photos from previous years
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Lupita Nyong'o, Mati Diop
Embrace on the stage of the Berlinale Palast.
Dahomey · Competition · Golden Bear · Feb 24, 2024
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Dar Salim, Sidse Babett Knudsen
Handover of the baton.
Vogter · Competition · Feb 22, 2024
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Julien Manier, Anamaria Vartolomei, Bruno Dumont
The actors and the director (on the right) at the premiere.
L’ Empire · Competition · Feb 18, 2024
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Isabelle Huppert
In the limelight.
Yeohaengjaui pilyo · Competition · Feb 19, 2024
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Piero Messina, Bérénice Bejo, Gael García Bernal
In the Berlinale Palast.
Another End · Competition · Feb 17, 2024
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Kristen Stewart
Competition · Feb 25, 2023
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Nicolas Philibert
Sur l’Adamant · Competition · Golden Bear for Best Film · Feb 25, 2023
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Thea Ehre
Bis ans Ende der Nacht · Competition · Feb 24, 2023
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Franz Rogowski, Laëtitia Ky, Morr Ndiaye
The protagonists of the film in the Berlinale Palast.
Disco Boy · Competition · Feb 19, 2023
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Adrien Brody
Manodrome · Competition · Feb 18, 2023
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Mariette Rissenbeek, Carlo Chatrian, Juliette Binoche, Vincent Lindon, Claire Denis
Charming greeting on the Red Carpet.
Avec amour et acharnement · Competition · Feb 12, 2022
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Aude Mathieu, Samir Guesmi, Marie-Claude Guérin, Laure Giappiconi, Larissa Corriveau
The actors posing for the photographers.
Un été comme ça · Competition · Feb 14, 2022
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Natalia López Gallardo
The director on her way to the Berlinale Palast.
Robe of Gems · Competition · Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize · Feb 16, 2022
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Connie Nielsen
The member of the International Jury on the Red Carpet.
Rabiye Kurnaz gegen George W. Bush · Competition · Feb 12, 2022
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Kamila Andini
The director giving an interview.
Nana · Competition · Feb 12, 2022
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Andreas Dresen, Meltem Kaptan, Alexander Scheer
The film team joyfully greeting each other on the Red Carpet.
Rabiye Kurnaz gegen George W. Bush · Competition · Feb 10, 2022
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Rim Turki
The leading actress on the Red Carpet.
Memory Box · Competition · Freiluftkino Museumsinsel · Jun 11, 2021
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Maryam Moghaddam, Behtash Sanaeeha
The two directors at the premiere.
Ghasideyeh gave sefid · Competition · Freiluftkino Museumsinsel · Jun 18, 2021
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Maryna Yakubovich
Courage · Competition · Freiluftkino Museumsinsel · Jun 11, 2021
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Aynur Bal, Maria Speth
Successful premiere.
Herr Bachmann und seine Klasse · Competition · Freiluftkino Museumsinsel · Jun 17, 2021
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Christopher Sheppard, Sally Potter, Javier Bardem, Carlo Chatrian, Mark Peranson
At the premiere.
The Roads Not Taken · Competition · Feb 26, 2020
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Ileana D'Ambra, Fabio D'Innocenzo, Tommaso Di Cola
Affectionate on the Red Carpet.
Favolacce · Competition · Feb 25, 2020
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Clarissa Kiste, Carolina Bianchi
Would you like to dance?
Todos os mortos · Competition · Feb 23, 2020
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Franz Rogowski
Stop and smell the flowers! - the actor on the Red Carpet.
Undine · Competition · Feb 23, 2020
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Elio Germano, Giorgio Diritti
Thumbs up at the premiere!
Volevo nascondermi · Competition · Feb 21, 2020
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Joaquin Phoenix
A bath in the crowd.
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot · Competition · Feb 20, 2018
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Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton
On the Red Carpet before the Opening.
Isle of Dogs · Competition · Opening Gala · Feb 15, 2018
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Gillian Anderson
The actress arriving at the Berlinale Palast.
Viceroy’s House · Competition · Feb 12, 2017
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George Clooney
The actor at the Berlinale Palast.
Hail, Caesar! · Competition · Feb 11, 2016
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Kirsten Dunst
Frenetic welcome.
Midnight Special · Competition · Feb 12, 2016
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Michael Shannon
His autographs were much sought-after.
Midnight Special · Competition · Feb 12, 2016
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Isabelle Huppert
The actress in the Berlinale Palast.
L' avenir · Competition · Feb 13, 2016
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Natalie Portman
Popping of flashbulbs.
Knight of Cups · Competition · Feb 08, 2015
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Christian Bale
Mingling with the crowd.
Knight of Cups · Competition · Feb 08, 2015
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Forest Whitaker
The main actor on the Red Carpet.
La voie de l'ennemi · Competition · Feb 07, 2014
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Lars von Trier, Uma Thurman, Christian Slater
The director and his two actors in the Berlinale Palast.
Nymphomanic · Competition · Feb 09, 2014
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Shia LaBeouf
The actor's appearance on the Red Carpet: rather unconventionally.
Nymphomanic · Competition · Feb 09, 2014
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Jennifer Connelly
The actress on the Red Carpet.
Aloft · Competition · Feb 12, 2014
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Nina Hoss
The German actress on the Red Carpet.
Opening Gala · Feb 07, 2013
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Vanessa Redgrave, Gerard Butler, Jessica Chastain, Ralph Fiennes
Competition: The actors of Coriolanus on the Red Carpet.
Coriolanus · Competition · Berlinale Palast · Feb 14, 2011
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Michelle Pfeiffer, Stephen Frears
Michelle Pfeiffer directed by Stephen Frears.
Cheri · Competition · Berlinale Palast · Feb 10, 2009
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Leonardo DiCaprio
Relaxed on the Red Carpet.
Shutter Island · Competition · Berlinale Palast · Feb 13, 2010
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Demi Moore
Demi Moore at the premiere of Happy Tears.
Happy Tears · Competition · Berlinale Palast · Feb 11, 2009
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Penélope Cruz
Elegy · Competition · Berlinale Palast · Feb 10, 2008
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Martin Scorsese
A welcome guest at the Berlinale.
Shine A Light · Competition · Berlinale Palast · Feb 07, 2009
The Berlinale was born in 1951 with the Competition. The long tradition of this festival section comprises an immense wealth of stories, scandals and successes. From the notorious “Bosom Berlinale” of 1961 and the – still, to this day, unique – abandonment of the festival over the anti-Vietnam War film o.k. in 1970, to the discovery of Chinese cinema for a worldwide audience in 1988. The Competition has been strongly moulded by directors introducing their work in Berlin whose names read like a Who’s Who of film history.
Founded on an initiative from the USA with the openly political aspiration to be a “showcase of the free world”, the Competition has always been, and remains, a seismograph and echo-chamber for the moods, crises and convulsions of world politics. Its own history clearly evidences the sharp division between East and West during the Cold War – as well as the thawing relations and cautious rapprochement between the two opposing blocs – via the art of cinema. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the political world map began to be redrawn and these developments also had an impact on the Competition – whether in subtle notes throughout the year’s programme or more explicitly. Politics is subject to conditions of visibility, something which the Competition films influence by changing the ways in which social realities are perceived and conceived. And thus the Competition is also a perennial testimony to the state of the world which the filmmakers address in their work. Detailed accounts of each Berlinale edition can be found in the archive.
The International Jury awards the following prizes:
- Golden Bear for Best Film
- Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize
- Silver Bear Jury Prize
- Silver Bear for Best Director
- Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance
- Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance
- Silver Bear for Best Screenplay
- Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution in the categories camera, editing, music score, costume or set design
Cross-section awards respectively awards of the Independent Juries:
- GWFF Best First Feature Award (endowed with 50,000 euros)
- Berlinale Documentary Award, funded by rbb and endowed with 40,000 euros
- TEDDY AWARDS
- Heiner Carow Prize
- Guild Film Prize
- Prizes of the Ecumenical Jury
- Prizes of the FIPRESCI Jury
- Amnesty International Film Award
- Peace Film Prize
- Berliner Morgenpost Readers' Jury Award