73rd Berlin International Film Festival facts for kids
Official festival poster
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| Opening film | She Came to Me by Rebecca Miller |
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| Closing film | On the Adamant by Nicolas Philibert |
| Location | Berlin, Germany |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Awards |
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| Directors | Mariette Rissenbeek |
| Artistic director | Carlo Chatrian |
| Festival date | Opening: 16 February 2023 Closing: 26 February 2023 |
The 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, also known as the Berlinale, is a big film event held every year in Berlin, Germany. In 2023, it took place from February 16 to 26. This was the first time since 2020 that the festival was completely in-person. People could attend all the events and watch movies together.
The festival started with a drama film called She Came to Me, directed by Rebecca Miller. During the opening ceremony, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to the audience through a live video. A special award, the Honorary Golden Bear, was given to the famous American filmmaker Steven Spielberg for his amazing work over the years. This award was presented by the singer Bono.
The main prize, the Golden Bear, went to On the Adamant. This is a documentary film by French filmmaker Nicolas Philibert. It's about a special daycare center in Paris for people with mental health challenges. Another important award, the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, was given to Afire by German filmmaker Christian Petzold.
A very special moment happened when Sofía Otero won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance. She was only nine years old and became the youngest person ever to win this award at the Berlinale. She won for her role as eight-year-old Lucía in the film 20,000 Species of Bees. The festival ended on February 26, having sold 320,000 tickets. Around 20,000 film professionals and 2,800 media people from 132 countries attended the event.
About the Berlinale Festival
The Berlinale is one of the world's most important film festivals. It brings together filmmakers, actors, and movie lovers from all over the globe. For the 2023 festival, filmmakers could submit their movies starting in September 2022. The last day to send in films was November 23, 2022.
The festival's theme for 2023 was "Let's Get Together." This slogan showed that after two years of online events because of COVID-19, everyone was excited to meet in person again. The festival also announced a new award for the best TV series, called the Berlinale Series Award.
The official poster for the 2023 festival was designed by Claudia Schramke. She also designed the poster for the previous year. The festival's executive director, Mariette Rissenbeek, said the poster was important because it focused on the audience. She explained that the audience's curiosity, excitement, and applause make the Berlinale a lively and fun event.
Opening and Closing Events
The opening ceremony took place on February 16. Many famous actors and jury members walked the red carpet. The head of the jury, American actor Kristen Stewart, gave a speech. She talked about challenges people face and how some women are not as lucky as others.
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Discussions at the ceremony also touched on important world events, like the war in Ukraine and human rights in Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared by video, introduced by actor Sean Penn. Zelenskyy asked, "Can art be outside of politics? Should cinema be outside of politics?" He said this was a very important question today. After his speech, the opening film, She Came to Me, was shown.
The awards night was held on February 25, hosted by German presenter Hadnet Tesfai. The French documentary On the Adamant won the top prize, the Golden Bear. The jury president, Kristen Stewart, called the film "masterfully crafted." The director, Nicolas Philibert, thanked the jury and said he was deeply touched that a documentary could be seen as a true film.
The Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize was given to Afire. Nine-year-old Sofía Otero won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance for her role in 20,000 Species of Bees. She made history as the youngest winner of this award. Kristen Stewart praised Otero for her performance. After the ceremony, Sofía told reporters that she wants to be an actress for her whole life. The night ended with a screening of the Golden Bear-winning film, On the Adamant.
The Juries
Different groups of experts, called juries, decide which films win awards at the Berlinale. These juries are made up of directors, actors, writers, and other film professionals from around the world.
Main Competition Jury
The main jury decides the top awards, like the Golden Bear. For the 73rd Berlinale, the jury members were:
- Kristen Stewart (United States) - She was the head of the jury.
- Golshifteh Farahani (Iran/France)
- Valeska Grisebach (Germany)
- Radu Jude (Romania)
- Francine Maisler (United States)
- Carla Simón (Spain)
- Johnnie To (Hong Kong)
Other Juries
There were also other juries for different sections of the festival, like:
- Encounters Jury: They judged films that explore new ways of filmmaking.
- International Short Film Jury: They picked the best short films.
- Generation Juries: These juries focused on films for younger audiences, split into "Kplus" (for younger kids) and "14plus" (for teenagers).
- GWFF Best First Feature Award Jury: They chose the best first film by a new director.
- Documentary Award Jury: They selected the best documentary film.
- Berlinale Series Award Jury: This new jury picked the best TV series.
Awards Given Out
Many different awards are given at the Berlinale to celebrate the best films and performances.
Competition Awards
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Here are some of the main awards from the Competition section:
- Golden Bear: On the Adamant by Nicolas Philibert
- Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize: Afire by Christian Petzold
- Silver Bear Jury Prize: Bad Living by João Canijo
- Silver Bear for Best Director: Philippe Garrel for The Plough
- Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance: Sofía Otero for 20,000 Species of Bees
- Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance: Thea Ehre for Till the End of the Night
- Silver Bear for Best Screenplay: Angela Schanelec for Music
- Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution: Hélène Louvart for Disco Boy (for her camera work)
Encounters Awards
- Best Film: Here by Bas Devos
- Best Director: Tatiana Huezo for The Echo
- Special Jury Award: Orlando, My Political Biography by Paul B. Preciado and Samsara by Lois Patiño
Short Film Awards
- Golden Bear for Short Film: Les Chenilles by Michelle Keserwany, Noel Keserwany
- Silver Bear for Short Film: Dipped in Black by Matthew Thorne, Derik Lynch
Generation Awards (for Young Audiences)
These awards are chosen by youth juries.
- Crystal Bear for Best Film (Youth Jury): Adolfo by Sofía Auza
- Crystal Bear for Best Short Film (Youth Jury): And Me, I'm Dancing Too by Mohammad Valizadegan
- Grand Prix (Generation 14plus): Hummingbirds by Silvia Del Carmen Castaños, Estefanía “Beba” Contreras
Other Berlinale Awards
- Berlinale Series Award: The Good Mothers by Elisa Amoruso and Julian Jarrold
- Compass-Perspektive-Award: Seven Winters in Tehran by Steffi Niederzoll
- Heiner Carow Prize: Bones and Names by Fabian Stumm
- GWFF Best First Feature Award: The Klezmer Project by Leandro Koch, Paloma Schachmann
- Berlinale Documentary Award: The Echo by Tatiana Huezo
Panorama Audience Awards
These awards are voted on by the audience members who watch films in the Panorama section.
- Best Feature Film: Sira by Apolline Traoré
- Best Documentary: Kokomo City by D. Smith
Special Honorary Awards
- Honorary Golden Bear: Given to Steven Spielberg for his lifetime achievements in film.
- Berlinale Camera Award: Given to Caroline Champetier for her important contributions to cinema.
Independent Awards
These awards are given by independent juries or groups, not directly by the main Berlinale jury.
Teddy Award
The Teddy Award celebrates films that explore LGBTQ+ themes.
- Best Feature Film: All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White by Babatunde Apalowo
- Best Documentary Film: Orlando, My Political Biography by Paul B. Preciado
- Jury Award: Vicky Knight for her role in Silver Haze
- Best Short Film: Dipped in Black by Matthew Thorne and Derik Lynch
Other Independent Jury Awards
- Amnesty International Film Award: The Burdened by Amr Gamal (for films about human rights)
- Prizes of the Ecumenical Jury: These awards are given to films that show human values.
- Competition: Tótem by Lila Avilés
- Prize of the FIPRESCI: Given by film critics.
- Competition: The Survival of Kindness by Rolf de Heer
- Prize of the Guild of German Art House Cinemas: 20,000 Species of Bees by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
- Berliner Morgenpost Reader’s Jury Award: 20,000 Species of Bees by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren (voted by readers of a newspaper)
- Tagesspiegel Reader’s Jury Award: Orlando, My Political Biography by Paul B. Preciado (voted by readers of another newspaper)
- Peace Film Prize: Seven Winters in Teheran by Steffi Niederzoll (for films promoting peace)
