TEDDY AWARD — Berlinale's Queer Film Award
Oldest queer film award within a major international film festival — part of Berlinale since 1987
About TEDDY AWARD
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Four Decades of Queer Cinema in Berlin
When two Berlin filmmakers — Wieland Speck and Manfred Salzgeber — presented the first TEDDY AWARD on the sidelines of the Berlinale in 1987, it was a political act: in the midst of the HIV/AIDS crisis and on the fringes of a film industry not yet very queer-friendly, they created an award to make queer cinema visible. The TEDDY was soon officially recognized by the Berlinale — today it is the oldest queer film award presented within a major international film festival.
What Makes the TEDDY Special
- Curated from the Entire Berlinale Program: TEDDY jurors sift through every competition and section (Competition, Panorama, Forum, Generation, Encounters, Berlinale Shorts) to identify the most significant queer contributions.
- Five Categories: Best Feature Film, Best Documentary/Essay Film, Best Short Film, Jury Award, Special TEDDY (Lifetime Achievement Award).
- Political Dimension: the award explicitly functions as a queer activist platform.
- International Platform: worldwide partner events (May–December in other cities).
- TEDDY After-Show Party: legendary pre- and post-ceremony party at the Volksbühne.
- Talks and Panels: “Queer Cinema, Activism, and Cultural Impact” — at the Gropius Bau and other Berlin venues.
The 40th Edition — An Anniversary
In 2026, the TEDDY AWARD celebrates its 40th anniversary. The festival motto “WILD AT HEART” frames the entire program — from retrospectives featuring Céline Sciamma (“Tomboy”) and Cheryl Dunye to panels on the 40-year history of queer activism in cinema. The Special TEDDY 2026 goes to French director Céline Sciamma — one of the most influential voices in contemporary queer cinema (“Portrait de la jeune fille en feu”, “Petite Maman”, “Tomboy”, “Bande de filles”).
Volksbühne — The Iconic Venue
For years, the awards ceremony has been held at the Volksbühne on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz — one of Berlin's most important theaters and an architectural landmark in the Mitte district (bordering Prenzlauer Berg). The choice is symbolic: the Volksbühne has its own history as an avant-garde stage and a queer-friendly theater — from Frank Castorf to contemporary productions.
Berlin as a Global Queer Cinema Hub
Berlin is one of the most important cities for queer cinema worldwide — with the Berlinale, the TEDDY, the Verzaubert Festival, the PORN FILM FESTIVAL, and a vast queer artist scene. The TEDDY Awards ceremony is both the highlight of the queer Berlinale week and a hub for international industry networking — filmmakers, programmers, and distributors from around the world meet at the Queer Industry Reception at the Gropius Bau.
TEDDY AWARD — edition 2026
40th TEDDY AWARD — Anniversary Ceremony February 20, 2026
For its 40th anniversary edition, the TEDDY AWARD invites you on Friday, February 20, 2026, to the Main Hall of the Volksbühne on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. Ceremony starts at 8:30 PM, Pre-Reception from 6:30 PM. The five TEDDY categories will be awarded: Best Feature Film, Best Documentary/Essay Film, Best Short Film, Jury Award, and the Special TEDDY 2026 to director Céline Sciamma. The ceremony is part of the 76th Berlinale (February 12–22, 2026).
Programme TEDDY AWARD 2026
Program February 20, 2026
Times
- 6:30 PM–7:45 PM — Pre-Reception (for Premium Support Ticket holders, with artists and jury)
- 8:30 PM — Awards Ceremony in the Main Hall
- 10:30 PM — Opening of the TEDDY After Show Party in the Salons and Foyers of the Volksbühne
Categories (5)
- Best Feature Film
- Best Documentary/Essay Film
- Best Short Film
- Jury Award
- Special TEDDY 2026: Céline Sciamma — Lifetime Achievement Award for one of the most influential voices in contemporary queer cinema (“Portrait de la jeune fille en feu”, “Petite Maman”, “Tomboy”, “Bande de filles”)
Film Selection 2026
- 27 Feature Films
- 9 Documentary/Essay Films
- 9 Short Films
- A total of 45 films from over 30 countries — curated from all Berlinale sections (Competition, Panorama, Forum, Generation, Encounters, Berlinale Shorts)
Accompanying Program 2026
- Retrospectives with Céline Sciamma (“Tomboy”) and Cheryl Dunye (“The Watermelon Machine”)
- Panels: “Queer Cinema, Activism, and Cultural Impact” — 40-year history of queer activism in cinema, motto “WILD AT HEART”
- Queer Industry Reception at the Gropius Bau — Networking event for filmmakers, programmers, distributors
- Featured Films: Interviews with works such as “Taxi Moto”, “Kokomo City”, “What Will I Become”
TEDDY After Show Party
- From 10:30 PM in all Salons and Foyers of the Volksbühne
- Legendary queer Berlin networking event
- Included with all ticket categories — separate party-only tickets available
Tickets
- Standard Tickets: Main Hall
- Premium Support Tickets: incl. Pre-Reception + seats near artists (50% of proceeds to filmmakers)
- Screening Lounge Tickets: Live broadcast in side halls + party access
- Sales via volksbuehne.berlin
- Grüner Salon: already sold out
Highlights TEDDY AWARD 2026
Prices TEDDY AWARD 2026
Practical information — TEDDY AWARD
Getting There
Subway U2 Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz (1 min. walk to Volksbühne). From Central Station: U2 from Alexanderplatz (1 stop).
Tickets
Standard tickets for the Main Hall, Premium Support Tickets (50% of proceeds to filmmakers) including Pre-Reception 6:30 PM–7:45 PM, Screening Lounge Tickets for live broadcast in side halls + party access. Available via volksbuehne.berlin and teddyaward.tv.
After Show Party
From 10:30 PM in the Salons and Foyers of the Volksbühne — included with all ticket categories. Party-only tickets available.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a TEDDY AWARD al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place TEDDY AWARD
Volksbühne Berlin am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz
Linienstraße 227 / Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, 10178 Berlin