Eager for films, cinema and celebrities
Berlin’s cinemas offer exciting diversity – besides major multiplexes showing the latest blockbusters, you’ll also find arthouse cinemas with discerning programmes and charming historic cinemas. As a moviegoer in Berlin, you’ll be spoilt for choice every day: the latest mainstream hype, experimental art film or classic masterpiece rerun? Take your pick. We’ve put together a list of tips for a particularly special cinema experience.
By the way: Berlin has been nominated for the European Location Award 2021 for the series The Queen's Gambit - the only German location to enter the race for the prize. The result will be announced at the Berlinale in 2022.
You know cinema? Berlin’s film museums
Visit the Museum für Film und Fernsehen on Potsdamer Platz for a fascinating trip back in time through the history of German filmmaking. Fans of Marlene Dietrich will love the museum especially – her former possessions are the exhibition’s centrepiece. Her tiny shoes and her make-up case and costumes, including the legendary swan down coat, present to be marvelled at.
The film museum in Potsdam and the other museums and filming locations also make for exciting visits if you’re a film fan.
5 reasons why the focus is on Berlin
- The many cinemas – from multiplex film theatre to arthouse cinema
- A museum solely for film and television
- The world’s biggest public film festival: the Berlinale
- Cameras rolling on every corner: Berlin is a film-shoot site
- Celebrities love Berlin, too
Exhibitions, Festivals and Events
Film not only in the cinema: In Berlin, numerous exhibitions, plays, events and even concerts are dedicated to film.
Berlin - City of films
Berlin is the city of films, of stars, of glamour: Berlin is the site of German film shoots as well as international blockbusters, stars meet on festivals’ and premieres’ red carpets. If you’re lucky, you might sit down in a restaurant to find yourself side-by-side with George Clooney.
In the cinemas the current blockbusters, art house productions and exciting film series are shown. The big cinemas are at the cutting edge of technology. The IMAX overwhelms you with never-before-seen impressions. Other cinemas, such as the International in Mitte, inspire with their architecture. And the smaller neighbourhood cinemas have their own individual charm.
Be there or be square: Berlinale and other film festivals
In Berlin, everyday is film festival day. Besides the regular cinema programmes, there are minor and major festivals all the time highlighting particular genres, countries or directors. The biggest and most important film festival is the Berlinale in February. Since its inception in 1951, Berlin’s film festival is one of the major international festivals alongside Cannes and Venice. Besides the competition, at which stars of international fame present their films, there are a variety of other genres like ethnic cinema, children’s films, newcomers and experimental cinema.
And what tops it all: the films shown at the Berlinale are publicly accessible – get a ticket and you might be going to a film with Michael Fassbender or Angelina Jolie. Be there when they roll out the red carpet.
Our tip: celebrities in Berlin
Imagine standing on Alexanderplatz – and all of a sudden, Matt Damon runs past you! That means you’re slap in the middle of the film shoot for the latest blockbuster. The whole city is regularly the backdrop for action films, comedies and thrillers. When Shah Rukh Khan shot his new film DON-2 in Berlin in autumn 2010, he was topic number one everywhere in the city. Fans came from as far away as Moscow to see their idol. You’ll have excellent chances to see your favourite actor in person at the major premieres. The CineStar in the Sony Center and the Zoo Palast regularly roll out the red carpet for a premiere.
But if you want to go celeb spotting, the film city offers more opportunities than just the film sets and premiere parties. After all, Berlin is popular with the stars, who often take to the city without any pomp or circumstance. Finding yourself sitting next to Tilda Swinton in the cinema or facing Tom Hanks on the next table across in the beer garden isn’t anywhere as rare as you might think. We’ve put together some tips for celeb spotting. Good luck!
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