Still from 'No Hard Feelings' screened at Berlinale 70.
The 71st Berlin International Film festival is set to make an exciting and progressive return to the German capital. Scheduled for February 2021, details surrounding Berlinale 71 have be revealed courtesy of the festival’s director duo, Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian. The two made several announcements regarding upcoming proceedings, including their intentions to host a physical event and introduce gender-neutral award categories.
Whilst the majority of entertainment industries have looked to explore digital presentation opportunities in light of the global pandemic, Berlinale 71 is set to buck the trend and hold an in-person event. Whilst the decision may incite concern from some, the directors reasoned that experiences of quarantine and lockdown have affirmed the importance of “analogue experience spaces in the cultural realm”. Naturally, this will require the implementation of updated safety measures to ensure that a large public event can be held in line with the German government’s regulatory advice. Organisers for the event have indicated that adjustments to the film programming, the total number of films shown, and the number of guests will be made.
From one indicator of progress to another, Rissenbeek and Chatrian also announced that for the first time, the performance awards will be defined in a gender-neutral way. Silver Bear prizes will be awarded for Best Leading Performance and Best Supporting Performance as the Festival drops the term ‘actress’ from its lexicon. The term has historically served to denote negative connotations towards female actors and gendered award categories have failed to provide an inclusive platform of recognition for transgender and non-binary actors. The directors believe that this is an essential step to increasing the necessary “gender-sensitive awareness in the film industry”.
2020 has been an unquestionably tumultuous year for many Berliners, but with 2021 approaching on the horizon, we might just be set for a desperately-needed year of progress.