Berlin International Film Festival announces 2026 Competition line-up

Jan 20, 2026

A group of people posing by a wooden wall — Thriller *Rosebush Pruning*, from DP Hélène Louvart AFC, is in the Berlinale Competition (Credit: Courtesy of Berlinale)

The Berlin International Film Festival has announced its 2026 Competition line-up.

In the Berlinale Competition, 22 films will compete for the Golden and Silver Bears – among them one first feature, one animation as well as one documentary.

“We’ve found so much to fall in love with in this year’s bumper Competition line up,” said festival director Tricia Tuttle, “and we are so confident in the charms of these 22 films that we say defiantly, ‘If you don’t find something here to love, you don’t love cinema!!’

“Satirical and formalist comedy, genre, a psychological thriller, a love story, a self-love story, anime, a western… these 22 films show off just how diverse great cinema is in 2026. Each one is beautifully crafted and delivers on its own artistic promise.

“We can’t wait to discover the films that will receive the Golden Bear and the Silver Bears from Wim Wenders’ jury on 21 February.”

The line-up includes several films involving UK talent, with Grant Gee’s Everybody Digs Bill Evans, exploring the inner life of the titular musical genius and lensed by Piers McGrail ISC, and the Callum Turner-starring thriller Rosebush Pruning, from DP Hélène Louvart AFC, among them.

Elsewhere, Amy Adams drama At the Sea (cin. Yorick Le Saux AFC), from Palme d’Or winner Kornél Mundruczó, will have its world premiere in Competition, while Markus Schleinzer’s 17th-century set Rose (cin. Gerald Kerkletz) boasts Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller in a lead role.

The 22 films in Competition are available below – with more information available on the Berlinale website.