Berlin is Germany’s film capital with a long-standing tradition. Here you can enjoy the full range of current films and classic masterpieces in the most beautiful cinemas, attend a different film festival every day, meet celebrities, or take a peek behind the scenes at exciting exhibitions. And there’s even a film festival featuring films exclusively from Berlin and Brandenburg: the achtung berlin film festival runs until 22 April.
We’ve put together our top 11 tips for all film buffs and cinema enthusiasts, ranging from special locations and festivals to the most beautiful cinemas.
Tip 1: Visit film locations
Where do the Inglorious Basterds meet? And what’s the story behind the red tiles that appear in every other film set in Berlin? For a true cinephile, no visit to Berlin is complete without a tour of the locations from their personal favourite films.
We’ve put together a list of filming locations for both current blockbusters and important classics to help you find your way around.
Tip 2: Film festivals
Whether you’re a fan of Italian or Polish cinema, love horror, or simply want to discover something new, Berlin has a film festival to suit every taste . The biggest highlight is, of course, the Berlinale in February, but the smaller festivals with their lovingly curated selections are well worth a visit too. In April, alongside ‘achtung berlin’, there’s also the ALFILM – Arab Film Festival Berlin and the Sehsüchte student film festival in Potsdam, as well as the Fantasy Film Fest Nights.
Do check them out!
Tip 3: Special cinemas
If you want your trip to the cinema to be a special experience, you should choose not just the film, but also the cinema carefully. Many cinemas in Berlin, such as the recently renovated Kino International or the Zoo Palast, boast beautiful architecture, whilst others feature outstanding technical facilities. Or they have their own unique charm, like the Adria in Steglitz and the Neue Off in Neukölln.
And very recently, on 3 May, the much-loved Arsenal reopened at a new location: in the Westhalle at silent green, the cinema is showing an exciting mix of experimental films and classics from film history.
Tip 4: Deutsche Kinemathek
The Deutsche Kinemathek’s exhibition is also on display at a new venue: from 7 May, the special exhibition ‘Inventing queer cinema’ will run , accompanied by a film series and further events. With the Deutsche Kinemathek’s Studiokino, a new venue for film culture and dialogue has been created, where you can watch special films every Tuesday at 7 pm and discuss them afterwards with filmmakers. Every first Tuesday of the month, the series “From the Television Archive” features selected early television films, currently dedicated to the German actress Inge Meysel.
Tip 5: Celebrity spotting
Sitting next to Tilda Swinton in a café or partying with Lars Eidinger as the DJ: in Berlin, this could happen to you at any time. Berliners just stay cool. That’s certainly one reason why the city is so popular with stars, who can often be spotted in restaurants and clubs after filming. And during the Berlinale, you can of course catch the biggest stars on the red carpet at premieres and press conferences.
Tip 6: Silent film at midnight
Every Saturday at midnight, the organ sounds at Babylon in Mitte when the announcement goes “Midnight – Zero Euros”. Without paying an entrance fee, you can then watch a silent film and listen to the organ accompaniment by Anna Vavilkina, who plays live alongside the films. Incidentally, the silent film organ is the only one still in its original location and played regularly. So a very special experience awaits you.
More information about the Babylon
Tip 7: Watch films in their original language
Would you rather watch the latest blockbuster or a French classic in the original language rather than the German version? In Berlin, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to do so. Current films are shown in their original versions not only at the numerous festivals and in the retrospectives at Babylon or the Zeughaus Kino, but also in many Berlin cinemas.
Tip 8: Film music concerts
You can relive magical cinema moments at film music concerts, which are becoming increasingly popular. Famous composers such as Hans Zimmer come to Berlin to conduct large orchestras. The concerts by the Babelsberg Film Orchestra also bring masterpieces of film history back to life.
Tip 9: Film trivia quiz
Do you know your cinema? If you answer yes to that question, then you’ve come to the right place. Every two months (except in February, of course, when the Berlinale takes place), the city’s film buffs gather at SO36 in Kreuzberg to put their knowledge to the test in the Film Table Quiz . Quizmaster Rex asks questions spanning the entire history of cinema, covering directors, actors, quotes, soundtracks and “What happens next in this scene?”. Anyone can drop by, join a team and compete for the trophy.
Tip 10: Filmpark Babelsberg & Filmmuseum Potsdam
The heart of German film production beats in Potsdam Babelsberg, just outside Berlin. German and international films and series are still produced today on this historic site. Things are action-packed at Filmpark Babelsberg , where you can discover and experience everything to do with film. Shows provide thrills, whilst sets, props and original backdrops reveal the exciting world of filmmaking. The Film Museum in Potsdam city centre takes you deep into the film history of 100 years of Babelsberg.
Tip 11: Bookshop specialising in film books
Several bookshops in Berlin specialise in film books and offer a wide selection. One of the city’s most beautiful bookshops, Bücherbogen on Savignyplatz , also specialises in architecture, design and film. You’ll also find what you’re looking for at the huge Dussmann – das Kulturkaufhaus on Friedrichstraße.
