achtung berlin – Festival of New German Film

Berlin Stories, Berlin Voices

While the Berlinale stages global glamour in February, 'achtung berlin' in April is the city's other film festival – the one that focuses on the Berlin film scene itself. Since 2005, the festival has showcased what emerges from the University of the Arts, dffb, Film University Babelsberg, and the independent Berlin production scene. Feature films, documentaries, medium-length films, short films, and series – produced in Berlin or Brandenburg, written or shot by Berliners.

Program and Sections

The approximately 80 films are divided into several competitions: Feature Film, Documentary Film, Medium-Length Film, and Short Film. In addition, there are 'Berlin Spotlights' (films about Berlin relevant to contemporary or historical events), 'Berlin Spezial' (special features and premieres), 'Berlin Series' (TV and streaming productions), and a retrospective. Industry days and networking events complement the public program with a professional perspective.

The Festival's Cinema Map

'achtung berlin' uses the most important independent cinemas in Berlin: Babylon at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz (U2) is the main venue with the opening and awards ceremony. The fsk Kino at Kottbusser Tor (U8) and the Wolf Kino in Neukölln (U7 Rathaus Neukölln) form the Kreuzberg and Neukölln anchors. The Lichtblick-Kino in Prenzlauer Berg and the Colosseum-Kino on Schönhauser Allee complete the cinema map. For cinema fans, this distribution across the city is part of the charm: you travel to Kreuzberg one evening, and to Mitte the next.

New Berlin Film Award

The highlight is the presentation of the 'New Berlin Film Award' at the end of the week at Babylon. In the main categories, the best feature film, the best documentary film, the best medium-length film, and the best short film are awarded. Previous winners often represent voices that will shape the German film scene years later – this makes the festival an important address for distributors, independent cinemas, and streaming platforms.