Dear Asian filmmakers, the Berlin International Film Festival is accepting feature films (until November 1, 2023), and short films until November 15, 2023.
About the festival:
The Berlin International Film Festival (hereafter referred to as the “Berlinale”) is organised by the Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin GmbH (the Federal Organisation for Cultural Events in Berlin). The Berlinale is a major public cultural event and a unique place for interaction with a film-loving public. With the participation of around 20,000 professional visitors from over 130 countries, including about 3,000 journalists, it is one of the international film industry’s most important events.
The Berlinale is a FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations) accredited festival and is subject to its guidelines.
Films can be submitted to the following sections and programmes: Competition, Encounters, Berlinale Shorts, Panorama, Forum, Generation, and Berlinale Classics. Before submitting a film, please read the General Guidelines for Film Submission and Participation as well as the respective regulations for the sections and programmes.
*Note: This article will display competitions/categories where international (non-German) films can apply, for local competition/categories please visit the festival’s website.
General Rules for all sections:
– All sections accept fiction films, documentary forms, animation as well as experimental films but no industry films or commercials.
– World premieres are given priority, however, the sections have different requirements
– Films should have been completed 12 months prior to the festival.
– While feature-length films need a minimum running time of 60 min, Berlinale Shorts accepts films up to 30 min, short films for Generation will be accepted up to 20 min.
– The Artistic Director of the festival reserves the right to rule on any cases not provided for in these guidelines individually.
– Every submitter will receive a written notification about the result of the selection screening.
– Re-submissions are NOT eligible.
– Submitters must fill the online form at the Berlinale’s website.
– One entry form must be filled out for each film.
– Accepted formats for selection: file upload in mp4 format (H.264, AAC, Stereo) – see technical specifications.
– Accepted formats for festival presentation: DCP or QuickTime ProRes. 35 mm and other formats only upon request.
Competition and Encounter Section eligibility:
– Accepts feature films and documentaries of at least 60 minutes.
– Films that haven’t participated at any international film festival. A presentation in the country of origin will be tolerated. A presentation at an online festival is permitted if the streamings were only accessible in the country of origin (geoblocking).
– Films that haven’t been released theatrically or presented publicly other than in their country of origin.
– Films that haven’t been presented on television nor on the internet/VOD.
– Films that are intended for theatrical release.
– World Premieres are preferred.
– All films invited to participate in Competition are screened in their original language with German and English subtitles. The film’s producer is responsible for meeting the costs of subtitling and providing the subtitled version on time.
Berlinale Shorts Competition:
– Accepts fiction, documentary, animation, hybrid and experimental shorts.
– Films should not exceed the 30-minute mark.
– Shorts that haven’t participated at any international film festival. A presentation in the country of origin will be tolerated. A presentation at an online festival is permitted if the streamings were only accessible in the country of origin (geoblocking).
– Films that haven’t been presented on television nor on the internet/VOD.
– World Premieres are preferred.
– All films, including German-language films, are shown in their original version with English subtitles. The producer is required to meet the costs of subtitling.
Panorama Competition
– Accepts feature films and documentaries of at least 60 minutes running time.
– Films that have not been screened at any European film festival. A presentation at festivals in the country of origin will be tolerated. A presentation at an online festival is permitted if the streamings were only accessible outside of Europe/in the country of origin (geoblocking).
– Films that have not been released in Europe other than in their country of origin.
– Films that haven’t been presented on television nor on the internet/VOD other than in their country of origin.
– Films that are intended for theatrical release.
– World Premieres are preferred.
– All films invited to the festival are screened in their original version with English subtitles. The costs of subtitling are at the responsibility of the producer.
Forum Section
– Accepts feature films and documentaries of at least 60 minutes running time.
– Films that have not been screened at any European film festival. A presentation at festivals in the country of origin will be accepted. A presentation at an online festival is permitted if the streamings were only accessible outside of Europe/in the country of origin (geoblocking).
– Films that have not been released in Europe other than in their country of origin.
– Films that haven’t been presented on television nor on the internet/VOD other than in their country of origin.
– Films that are intended for theatrical release.
– World Premieres are preferred.
– Films selected for the Forum are shown in their original version with English subtitles. A second version with German subtitles would be appreciated but is not obligatory.
Generation Section
– Accepts feature-length films of at least 60 minutes running time as well as short films with a maximum running time of 20 minutes.
– Films that have not been screened at any European film festival. A presentation at festivals in the country of origin will be tolerated. A presentation at an online festival is permitted if the streamings were only accessible outside of Europe / in the country of origin (geoblocking).
– Films that have not been released in Europe other than in their country of origin.
– Films that haven’t been presented on television nor on the internet/VOD other than in their country of origin.
– World Premieres are preferred.
– All selected films are screened in their original version with English subtitles. The producer is required to meet the costs of subtitling. The version released or planned for release in the country of origin is regarded as the original version.
Berlinale Classic Section
– Accepts premieres high-quality restorations of feature films and documentaries of at least 60 minutes running.
– Films should have their premieres before 2005 and were released internationally in cinemas.
– The restored version may not have been screened outside its country of origin at festivals, in cinemas, on TV, on the internet, or streaming platforms, or released on DVD/Blu-ray. World premieres are given priority.
– Restored Version was completed within the 12 months prior to the start of the festival.
– Re-submissions are not eligible.
– Films has to be available in the formats DCP or 35mm. Other formats only upon request.
– All selected films are screened in their original version. English subtitles are required for non-English language films; additional German subtitles are welcomed, but are not mandatory. The submitting entity is responsible for meeting the costs of subtitling and providing the subtitled version on time.
– Submission Fees:
* Feature Films and Series – € 175
* Short Films – € 75 (regardless of the number of sections you apply for)
– Deadlines:
* Feature Films – November 1, 2023
* Short Films – November 15, 2023
We recommend filmmakers to read the full Rules and Regulations here: https://www.berlinale.de/en/film-entry/guidelines/general-guidelines.html
To submit to the festival please visit: https://www.berlinale.de/en/film-entry/submission/start.html
We remind readers that the 74th Berlin International Film Festival will take place from February 15 – 25, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.
To see other Calls please follow the next link: “Call For Entries”.
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