For two weeks in February, the German capital enjoys a break from gloomy winter with a showcase of film, art, glamour and parties bringing a huge buzz when the Berlinale is staged across the city.
With its history steeped and shaped by the tense post-war period, and as a result of the unique political division in the city, the Berlinale has now emerged as a symbol of intercultural exchange and a platform for the critical cinematic exploration of political and social issues of the day.
