Rarely has the opening ceremony been quite so star-studded as it was this year: to the delight of the waiting crowds not only George Clooney and Josh Brolin, but also Tilda Swinton and Meryl Streep did a few extra rounds on the red carpet outside the Berlinale Palast.

Festival Director Dieter Kosslick is convinced that "A film festival is always a seismograph, a discourse, and a reflection of reality." This year, the Berlinale mirrors a world in motion, in which millions of people have left their homes, many of them forced to flee. The motto of this year’s festival "The right to happiness" reflects the fact that they are also seeking prospects of a better life.

The art of cinematography is indispensable, says Monika Grütters

The Berlinale has repeatedly set political and artistic accents, said Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Monika Grütters at the opening ceremony, praising the special engagement of the festival and its Director Dieter Kosslick. The art of cinematography has rarely been so indispensable as it is in these troubled times, continued Monika Grütters.

Films portray individuals – their history, their desire to find happiness and their search for a home, said the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. "Films reveal that we have more in common than there are things that divide us. Cinema can thus be an island of humanity because it allows us the opportunity to feel and to suffer with others."

The whole of Berlin in film fever

The comedy "Hail, Caesar!" then provided a glimpse behind the scenes of Hollywood. Joel and Ethan Coen’s latest work kicked off a ten-day marathon that will see a total of 434 films screened in nine sections and a number of special series. 151 films are German productions or co-productions.

A total of 23 films are in the Competition programme, with 18 of them vying for the Golden Bear and Silver Bears. The eight-strong international jury, headed by the American actress Meryl Streep will judge the entries.

As has been the case in the past, the programme of this 66th Berlinale will offer a wide spectrum, from debuts to classics, from short films to culinary cinema. The Berlinale has something for everyone.

Prizes for the old masters and new talents

It is already clear who will be picking up the Honorary Golden Bear. This year it goes to the German cinematographer Michael Ballhaus for lifetime achievement, in recognition of his exceptional artistic career. This year’s homage, with eleven films, is also dedicated to him.

The "Berlinale Talents" is another long-standing tradition. This allows 300 promising young film-makers to network and engage in dialogue with experts in the film branch.

Berlin – where the film branch meets plus the film market

But the Berlinale offers still more: the European Film Market, which is held every year during the Berlinale is one of the world’s largest film markets. With 541 exhibitors from 73 countries, more producers, rights dealers and purchasers have registered this year than ever before.

The first meeting in the calendar year for the film industry, it is one of the most important platforms for the trade in films and audiovisual materials.

Since 2001 the Berlin International Film Festival has been part of the "cultural events of the German government in Berlin". The German government sponsors the event to the tune of 6.7 million euros, from the budget of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.