Key Takeaways
Mati Diop's Dahomey wins the Golden Bear, a vital documentary about the repatriation of looted colonial artifacts from France to Benin. No Other Land captures the Documentary Award and generates standing ovations for its unflinching portrait of displacement. Hong Sang-soo continues his prolific streak with A Traveler's Needs. The festival reaffirms its commitment to politically charged cinema and diverse global voices.
Berlinale 2026 Selections
Dahomey
A poetic documentary following the journey of 26 royal treasures as they are repatriated from France to the Republic of Benin after 130 years.
A Traveler's Needs
Isabelle Huppert stars as a French woman in Seoul who teaches French to local women using an unconventional method based on their emotions.
Who Do I Belong To
A Tunisian mother confronts her worst fears when her radicalized eldest son returns home from Syria with a mysterious young wife.
Black Tea
After refusing an arranged marriage, a young Ivorian woman starts a new life in China, finding unexpected connection through tea culture.
Dreams
Jessica Chastain and Isaac Hernández star in a cross-cultural love story between a wealthy American divorcee and a young Mexican ballet dancer.
Snow Leopard
A snow leopard kills a herder's livestock, forcing a clash between tradition, conservation, and media in the Tibetan highlands. The late director's final film.
Direct Action
A documentary that embeds within the ZAD (Zone to Defend) movement in western France, exploring radical activism and collective living.
My Favourite Cake
A 70-year-old Iranian woman decides to find love again in modern-day Tehran, defying social convention and moral police in an intimate evening encounter.
No Other Land
A Palestinian activist and Israeli journalist document the demolition of Palestinian villages in Masafer Yatta over five years.
Dying
A sprawling, darkly humorous German drama about a family confronting mortality, featuring an ensemble cast in interwoven stories.
Berlinale 2026 Prize Winners
Dahomey
Mati Diop — A groundbreaking documentary essay about colonial restitution, memory, and identity.
A Traveler's Needs
Hong Sang-soo — Another masterfully understated gem from the prolific South Korean auteur.
Who Do I Belong To
Meryam Joobeur — A haunting feature debut about family, radicalization, and secrets.
No Other Land
A searing collaborative documentary that received the longest standing ovation of the festival.
Direct Action
An immersive 3.5-hour documentary about radical ecological activism in France.
Berlinale Buzz Board
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What is the Golden Bear at the Berlinale?
The Golden Bear (Goldener Bär) is the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, awarded to the best film in the Competition section. Named after the bear symbol of Berlin, past Golden Bear winners include Alcarràs, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, There Is No Evil, and Synecdoche, New York.
When is the Berlinale 2026?
The Berlinale 2026 runs from February 12 to February 22, 2026. The festival takes place across multiple venues in Berlin, with the Berlinale Palast on Potsdamer Platz serving as the main venue.
What makes the Berlinale different from Cannes and Venice?
The Berlinale is known for its strong political engagement and social consciousness. While Cannes emphasizes artistic prestige and Venice focuses on glamour and Oscar campaigns, Berlin champions films that address human rights, social justice, and political themes. It is also the most publicly accessible of the Big Three, selling over 300,000 tickets annually.
Can the public attend the Berlinale?
Yes, the Berlinale is one of the most accessible major festivals in the world. Over 300,000 tickets are sold to the public each year. Individual screening tickets go on sale a few days before the festival begins, and many Berlinale screenings are open to general audiences without accreditation. Check our Festival Guides for attendance tips.
What are the main sections at the Berlinale?
The Berlinale features several sections: Competition (competing for the Golden Bear), Encounters (innovative and formally daring works), Berlinale Special, Panorama (diverse contemporary world cinema), Forum (experimental and avant-garde), Generation (films for young audiences), and Berlinale Shorts. The European Film Market (EFM) runs alongside the festival as one of the world's top film markets.