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Berlinale Opens With ‘No Good Men’ as Wenders-Led Jury Urges Focus on Films

The lineup favors political, auteur-driven stories over Hollywood spectacle.

Overview

  • Berlin’s 76th film festival runs Feb. 12–22, opening with Shahrbanoo Sadat’s No Good Men and honoring Michelle Yeoh with an Honorary Golden Bear.
  • Wim Wenders heads a seven-member international jury and told reporters the panel should stay out of politics during the opening press conference.
  • Twenty-two titles vie for the Golden Bear, with winners to be announced Feb. 21 and nine of the competition films directed by women.
  • This year’s selection emphasizes intimate, politically engaged filmmaking, with fewer big-budget U.S. entries and a limited presence from streaming platforms.
  • The Berlinale balances public access and industry dealmaking, after a record 336,000 public tickets last year and a European Film Market that draws thousands of buyers and sellers.