Yesterday was the kick-off of the world’s largest public filmfestival: The Berlinale. And it is a special occasion, the celebration of the filmfestival’s sixtieth birthday. Happy Birthday Berlinale! The opening ceremony showed the world-premiere of the chinese film “Tuan Yuan“ (“Together Apart“) by Wang Quan’an, who already won the much sought after Golden Bear in ’07. Like in the past years, a number of 400 films will be shown. Of these, twenty films are competing for the Golden and Silver Bears. Like every year, there is a judging panel that awards the best production towards the end of the filmfestival.

So if its the same procedure as every year, you might ask yourself what makes the Berlinale so special?

First, there are the films. World-premieres such as Martin Scorsese’s highly anticipated “Shutter Island“, with Leonardo DiCaprio, make the Berlinale a remarkable highlight throughout the world. But also films that usually don’t make their way into the cinema, because they are either too short or too long, can be seen here. The Berlinale gives these smaller productions a chance to be acknowledged, nonetheless.

Then, of course, there are the stars who walk down the red carpet. This years list ranges from bollywood-superstar Shah Rukh Khan over Leonardo DiCaprio to Ben Stiller and Gérard Depardieu. Hopefully I’ll get lucky and can catch a glimpse of Leo at his premiere.

But its not only the stars and the films that draw almost half a million visitors to the Berlinale – it is Berlin. And here I can spill my love for Berlin: During the eleven days of the fimfestival, Berlin undergoes a cinematic transformation. Suddenly, every party is associated with the Berlinale and every café has a “Director’s Cut Deal“. Berlin is on its best behaviour and turns into a large stage for many different performances:

Cinemas all over town participate with the filmfestival to show films, a wonderful opportunity for visitors to get a taste of what Berlin has to offer. Also, the Berlinale takes us beyond the cinema. Great museums take part in the festival, showing art in form of film productions. Then, there are public viewings, like the screening of the 80-year old movie “Metropolis“ at the Brandeburg Gate today. Mostly, I appreciate that the tickets for a show start at three euros. This filmfest insists on making culture and art accessable to everyone and I find this very special.

I’m coming to an end, so I wanted to share an anecdote with you: Yesterday, I was on my way to a press-conference, when I suddenly found myself in a screening of a french documentary about orang-utans. Later I found out it was the film “Nénette“ by Nicolas Philibert. The film was very entertaining and a cool surprise. And this is a perfect example of what the Berlinale and also Berlin is all about: unexpected, fun surprises that await behind every corner.

Feel free to read my blog about the next days of the Berlinale. My agenda is full, I plan to visit workshops at the Berlinale-Talentcampus (for young people just getting started in the business), as well as going to the public viewing at the Brandenburg Gate and checking out some parties. Stay updated and follow me either here or on twitter!