Get ready for a cinematic extravaganza as the Berlin Film Festival (February 12-22) unveils its carefully curated selection of films across three distinct strands: Special, Panorama, and Generation. This year's festival promises an exciting blend of world premieres, international collaborations, and thought-provoking documentaries. But here's where it gets controversial... some of these films will spark intense debates and leave audiences questioning their own perspectives.
Let's dive into the highlights of each strand and uncover the gems that will shape the cinematic landscape in 2026.
Special Strand:
The Special strand showcases 19 exceptional titles, including six captivating documentaries and six captivating series. Among the feature-length world premieres, Teodora Ana Mihai's Heysel 85 stands out, delving into the tragic events of a football match at Heysel Stadium in 1985. Another highlight is Ulrike Ottinger's The Blood Countess, starring the renowned Isabelle Huppert.
In the series category, the European premiere of Marc Munden's adaptation of Lord of the Flies, written by Jack Thorne, is sure to captivate audiences. Additionally, Charlotte Regan's UK series Mint offers a darkly comic take on crime drama, providing a unique twist on the genre.
Panorama Strand:
The Panorama strand opens with the world premiere of Danielle Arbid's Only Rebels Win, featuring the talented Hiam Abbass. This strand will feature a diverse range of 37 films, including the international premiere of Aidan Zamiri's The Moment, starring the charismatic Charli XCX and Alexander Skarsgard. Additionally, Hong Sangsoo's new film, The Day She Returns, promises to be a highlight for fans of Korean cinema.
Generation Strand:
The Generation section offers a mix of 18 feature films and 23 shorts, catering to a younger audience. Alongside the opening film, Sunny Dancer, directed by George Jaques, Mees Peijnenburg's A Family explores sibling dynamics, while Rima Das' Not A Hero adds to the diverse range of stories.
The Generation Kplus competition opens with Eliza Capai's The Fabulous Time Machine, a Brazilian documentary that beautifully captures the dreams and struggles of young girls navigating their mothers' pasts.
Classics Strand:
The festival's Classics strand presents 10 titles, including the first-ever inclusions from Morocco (Mirage) and Ukraine (Crystal Palace). Additionally, a 4K restoration of Mike Figgis' Leaving Las Vegas, starring Nicholas Cage, will be a treat for cinephiles.
Berlinale Panorama Titles:
- Allegro Pastell (Germany), directed by Anna Roller (World premiere)
- Árru (Norway-Sweden-Finland), directed by Elle Sofe Sara (World premiere)
- Bucks Harbor (USA), directed by Pete Muller (World premiere, documentary)
- Douglas Gordon by Douglas Gordon (UK-France), directed by Finlay Pretsell (World premiere, documentary)
- The Garden We Dreamed (Mexico), directed by Joaquín del Paso (World premiere)
- Enjoy Your Stay (Switzerland-France-Philippines), directed by Dominik Locher, Honeylyn Joy (World premiere)
- The Day She Returns (South Korea), directed by Hong Sangsoo (World premiere)
- I Understand Your Displeasure (Germany), directed by Kilian Armando Friedrich (World premiere)
- Around Paradise (Germany), directed by Yulia Lokshina (World premiere, documentary)
- Isabel (Brazil-France), directed by Gabe Klinger (World premiere)
- Iván & Hadoum (Spain-Germany-Belgium), directed by Ian de la Rosa (World premiere)
- Jaripeo (Mexico-USA-France), directed by Efraín Mojica, Rebecca Zweig (International premiere, documentary)
- Lady (UK), directed by Olive Nwosu (European premiere)
- The Hidden Face of the Earth (France), directed by Arnaud Alain (World premiere, documentary)
- Lali (Pakistan), directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat (World premiere)
- London (Australia), directed by Sebastian Brameshuber (World premiere)
- Mouse (USA), directed by Kelly O'Sullivan, Alex Thompson (World premiere)
- Narciso (Paraguay-Germany-Uruguay-Brazil-Portugal-Spain-France), directed by Marcelo Martinessi (World premiere)
- Only Rebels Win (France-Lebanon-Qatar), directed by Danielle Arbid (World premiere)
- Paradise (Canada-France-Ghana), directed by Jérémy Comte (World premiere)
- Roya (Germany-Luxembourg-Czech Republic-Iran), directed by Mahnaz Mohammadi (World premiere)
- Rumaragasa (Raging) (Philippines), directed by Ryan Machado (International premiere)
- Safe Exit (Egypt-Libya-Tunisia-Qatar-Germany), directed by Mohammed Hammad (World premiere)
- If I Were Alive (Brazil), directed by André Novais Oliveira (World premiere)
- Shanghai Daughter (China), directed by Agnis Shen Zhongmin (World premiere)
- Numb (Japan), directed by Takuya Uchiyama (International premiere)
- Siri Hustvedt - Dance Around the Self (Germany-Switzerland), directed by Sabine Lidl (World premiere, documentary)
- Prosecution (Germany), directed by Faraz Shariat (World premiere)
- The Education of Jane Cumming (Germany-Switzerland-UK), directed by Sophie Heldman (World premiere)
- The Moment (USA-UK), directed by Aidan Zamiri (International premiere)
- The Other Side of the Sun (Belgium-France-Saudi Arabia), directed by Tawfik Sabouni (World premiere, documentary)
- Traces (Ukraine-Poland), directed by Alisa Kovalenko, Marysia Nikitiuk (World premiere, documentary)
- Tristan Forever (Switzerland), directed by Tobias Nölle, Loran Bonnardot (World premiere, documentary)
- Enough Is Enough (France-DRC), directed by Elisé Sawasawa (World premiere, documentary)
- Two Mountains Weighing Down My Chest (Germany-Netherlands), directed by Viv Li (World premiere, documentary)
- A Russian Winter (France), directed by Patric Chiha (World premiere, documentary)
- Four Minus Three (Australia-Germany), directed by Adrian Goiginger (World premiere)
Berlinale Special Titles:
- Die Blutgräfin (The Blood Countess) (Austria-Luxembourg-Germany), directed by Ulrike Ottinger (World premiere)
- Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (Germany), directed by Gore Verbinski (European premiere)
- Heysel 85 (Belgium-Netherlands-Germany), directed by Teodora Ana Mihai (World premiere)
- The Only Living Pickpocket in New York (USA), directed by Noah Segan (International premiere)
- The Testament of Ann Lee (USA-UK), directed by Mona Fastvold (German premiere)
- The Weight (Germany-USA), directed by Padraic McKinley (European premiere)
Berlinale Special Midnight Titles:
- Monster Pabrik Rambut (Sleep No More) (Indonesia-Singapore-Japan-Germany-France), directed by Edwin (World premiere)
- Saccharine (Australia), directed by Natalie Erika James (European premiere)
- The Ballad of Judas Priest (USA), directed by Sam Dunn, Tom Morello (World premiere, documentary)
Berlinale Special Presentation Titles:
- TUTU (UK), directed by Sam Pollard (World premiere, documentary)
- A Child of My Own (Mexico), directed by Maite Alberdi (World premiere, documentary)
- WAX & GOLD (Austria), directed by Ruth Beckermann (World premiere, documentary)
- Who Killed Alex Odeh? (USA), directed by Jason Osder, William Lafi Youmans (International premiere, documentary)
Berlinale Special Series Titles:
- House of Yang (Germany), directed by Mia Spengler; Showrunner Stefanie Ren (World premiere)
- The House of the Spirits (Chile), directed by Francisca Alegría, Andrés Wood; Showrunners Francisca Alegría, Fernanda Urrejola (World premiere)
- Lord of the Flies (UK), directed by Marc Munden (European premiere)
- Mint (UK), directed by Charlotte Regan (World premiere)
- Ravalear (Ravalear: Not For Sale) (Spain), directed by Pol Rodríguez, Isaki Lacuesta (World premiere)
- The Story of Documentary Film (UK), directed by Mark Cousins (Documentary)
Mark your calendars for these cinematic delights and get ready to engage in meaningful discussions about the art of filmmaking. What films are you most excited to see? And which ones do you think will spark the most debate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
