Next year’s edition of the Berlin Film Festival will run from Feb. 10-21, and will therefore begin on a Wednesday, one day earlier than in the past. The awards ceremony will be held on the second Friday, Feb. 19.
The changed start date opens up additional space to introduce the first ever two Audience Days taking place on Feb. 20 and 21.
The European Film Market will now have a full official day on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and will celebrate its opening reception on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 9, and run through Tuesday, Feb. 16.
The days of operation for Berlinale Talents (Feb. 12-17) and the Berlinale Co-Production Market (Feb. 13-16) follow the patterns set in 2026.
Festival director Tricia Tuttle said: “Berlinale’s not-so-secret weapon is our wonderful audience; this change allows us to better serve them, while also responding to increasing demand from attendees at our highly successful European Film Market. We are already planning for the 77th Berlinale with much excitement.”
This year’s Berlinale saw record audience admissions and a growth in industry attendance.
The program, featuring 278 films from 80 countries, saw 343,200 tickets sold, compared with 340,000 in 2025.
Approximately 19,500 industry professionals from 135 countries – including 2,288 accredited press representatives – attended the festival.
Tuttle’s leadership came under threat after the 2026 edition of the festival was overshadowed by political debate, with several filmmakers using their acceptance speeches during the awards ceremony to make pro-Palestinian statements and speak out about Gaza, sparking backlash from politicians and parts of the German media. However, following a week of turbulence and meetings with the German government, it was announced on March 4 that Tuttle would stay on at the festival.