It was during the peak of the Cold War that the idea for the Berlin Film Festival was born. Oscar Martay, a film officer in the US military, based in West Berlin, proposed the idea and formed a committee with members of the Berlin Senate and German film industry. Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca was the first film screened. The festival acts as a showcase of the free world, embracing the diversity of cinema and celebrating films that offer bold reflections of the globe. To this day it is still considered the most political of all the major film festivals.

Since its inception, the festival has expanded to include approximately 400 film screenings over the 11-day festival. Awards and prizes structure the event, with more than 10 categories featured. The centerpiece of the festival is The Competition category, where 20 films vie for the festival’s most prestigious awards. This year's highlights include Richard Linklater’s star-studded Blue Moon, Lucile Hadžihalilović’s Ice Tower and Michel Franco’s Dreams.

Other notable categories include Panorama, celebrating and awarding films that are “explicitly queer, explicitly feminist, explicitly political,” and the Generation categories, which highlights films that explore the world of children and young adults. Berlinale Specials sees the screening of the highly anticipated Mickey 17, Bong Joon Ho’s first film since the release of Oscar-winning Parasite. This year’s Honorary Golden Bear award goes to Tilda Swinton, recognising a lifetime achievement.

The festival is held across several cinemas and screening venues in central Berlin. For a prime location, book a stay at The Grand Hyatt Berlin, conveniently located just across from the Berlinale Palast, which will host the festival’s opening night and other events. The hotel has a contemporary design style, with lots of natural light, a rooftop terrace and a relaxing spa. Book your stay through our ASMALLWORLD Collection, where you will be entitled to VIP benefits such as room upgrades, hotel credit and more at no extra cost.