The achtung berlin film festival stands for the new German cinema from Berlin and Brandenburg
The feature film competition features films with a high production value and prominent cast alongside the young savages, who realise their films without funding and sometimes even without script. All feature films and documentaries of the competition are presented as world, German or Berlin premieres even before their official release.
In the competitions for medium-length films and short films, all international short film festival conventions are often violated. Unlike feature-length films with their often rigid dramaturgical corset, short films are an open genre in which almost anything is permitted: they tell an elyptic story, are artfully documented, cognitive perception is tickled, deeper feelings are appealed to, and one’s own moral stance is severely tested.
In the program sections Berlin Independent and Berlin Documents, feature films and documentaries are presented that clearly stand out from the mainstream and are formally distinguished by their own handwriting, showing courage and thus opening up new perspectives on German film. At the same time, filmic works that take on a very personal perspective or occupy a particularly explosive topic are represented here. In addition to the competition, these sections complete the festival’s feature film programme as a comprehensive exhibition of the new German cinema from Berlin and Brandenburg.
The festival programme is rounded off by industry days, film talks and, of course, parties until sunrise in hip Berlin clubs. And yes, stars and starlets also romp around in the festival cinemas, in the usual relaxed atmosphere – at eye level with the audience and of course without barriers!
