Living in Berlin means navigating through a myriad of events, cultural happenings bursting from every corner, and immersing yourself in the beauty of art in all its forms. From music in clubs and pubs, bars, and concert halls to museums, art exhibitions, and street art, the city offers an endless stream of cultural experiences all year round. Among these, one event stands out as Berlin’s „showcase of the free world“ deeply rooted in its history: the Berlinale, Berlin International Film Festival.

Founded in 1951 at the start of the Cold War—during which Berlin became both a stage and a symbol—the Berlinale reflects the city’s unique cultural, political, and social dynamics. Destroyed by World War II and later divided, Berlin is a place where diverse ideas meet and clash, creating a vibrant intellectual and artistic ferment. The festival was conceived and organized by Oscar Martay, an American officer stationed in West Berlin, who secured funding from the U.S. military to launch its first edition. The goal was to rebuild the identity and consciousness of people devastated by the war through artistic expression.

This year, the Berlinale runs from February 12 to 22. While the first few days have already flown by—and you may have been lucky enough to experience them—the festival’s program is still packed with must-see films. And if you don’t manage to get tickets in time, don’t worry! It’s still a great opportunity to stay informed, keep an eye on upcoming film releases, take notes, and engage in discussions about a wide range of topics.

Below is part of my personal selection of films that caught my attention—ones worth watching now, or in the coming months when they will become available in theaters or on streaming platforms:

• No Good Men, by Shahrbanoo Sadat – This year´s opening film is from Germany! The Afghan director’s first two films have already been screened at Cannes, where they caused quite a stir. In the romantic comedy No Good Men, Shahrbanoo Sadat also plays the lead role of a young woman who believes that there are no good men in Afghanistan. The film is set shortly before the return of the Taliban and thus before the total disenfranchisement of women in Afghanistan, which gives the comedy a serious political undertone.

No Good Men, Berlinale 2026

• At the Sea, by Kornél Mundruczó : The film, starring Amy Adams, tells the story of a woman who has to get her life back on track after rehab. The last two films by acclaimed Hungarian director Kornél Mundruczó (Pieces of a Woman and Evolution) were screened at Cannes, and now he is represented in the Berlinale competition with the US-Hungarian co-production At the Sea.

• Gelbe Briefe, by İlker Çatak: Derya and Aziz, a celebrated artist couple from Ankara, lead a fulfilling life with their 13-year-old daughter Ezgi until an incident at the premiere of their new play changes everything. Overnight, they become the target of the state and lose their jobs and their apartment. They move to Istanbul, where they temporarily stay with Aziz’s mother. While Aziz scrapes by with odd jobs and sticks to his convictions, Derya searches for a way out that will make them financially independent. Gradually, the distance between them and their daughter grows until they have to choose between their values and their future together as a family.

• Rose, by Markus Schleinzer: In the 17th century, a mysterious soldier appears in a remote Protestant village in Germany. The small, quiet stranger, whose face is disfigured by a scar, claims to be the heir to an abandoned farmstead. To substantiate his claim, he presents the suspicious villagers with a document. Over time, they abandon their doubts. He proves to be a hard-working and God-fearing man and becomes part of the community, even though his desire to belong is based on an untenable lie. The true and convoluted story of a land and people swindler who was born a woman, behaved like a man, and deceived an entire village. Starring german actor Sandra Hüller.

Rose, Berlinale 2026