February 20 - 70th Berlin International Film Festival Begins

Today, the 70th Berlin International Film Festival has officially been opened! 

Also known as the Berlinale, this is the first of the three most prestigious film festivals in the world. 

The other two events are the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival. These festivals are sometimes called the "Big Three". 

Polish screenwriter and film director Krzysztof Kieślowski's ('Dekalog', 'The Double Life of Veronique', Three Colours trilogy) were each made for these festivals, with Blue for Venice, White for Berlin, and Red for Cannes. 

  

Of the "Big Three", the Berlinale is the largest festival in the world. 

Each year, it draws over half a million people, including film professionals from one hundred and thirty-plus countries from around the globe. 

  

This year, English actor Jeremy Irons will be serving as Jury President for the Berlinale Competition section. 

Other notable judges include American film director, playwright and screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan ('Manchester by the Sea') and French-Argentine actress Bérénice Bejo. 

  

The films that were selected and to be shown for the main competition are each eligible to receive the Golden Bear and Silver Bear awards. 

However, only one will win the Golden Bear; the highest prize awarded for the best film. 

  

The event will take place at the Friedrichstadt-Palast VIVID SHOW in Berlin, Germany. 

For decades and decades, the Berlinale has been welcoming the world of film to the capital of Germany; an indispensable forum for the global film community. 

  

Best of luck to the winner! 

  

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