Berlin Film Festival Highlights As Political Narratives Take Center Stage
The 76th edition of the Berlin Film Festival kicked off Thursday with a lineup emphasizing political themes, emerging talent, and international voices over mainstream Hollywood fare. Running until February 22, this year’s festival features more than 200 films from nearly 80 countries, featuring a dozen in competitive sections.
The opening film, Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat’s “No Good Men,” set against the backdrop of Kabul during US troop withdrawal, addresses female experiences under Taliban rule. Sadat, who fled Afghanistan following the takeover, sees the festival as an opportunity to shed light on women’s struggles there.
With only a few stars—Juliette Binoche, Channing Tatum, Riley Keough, Elle Fanning, and Callum Turner—the Berlin Film Festival prioritizes cinephiles over mainstream audiences. Women-led directors are in the majority: nine of 22 competition films have women at the helm, setting a precedent that surpasses Cannes and Venice’s proportions.
The festival also highlights international collaborations, with European co-productions like “Sentimental Value,” featuring Norway, Denmark, France, and Germany, emphasizing contemporary cinema’s collaborative spirit. Streaming giants are largely absent from this year’s lineup, with “Un hijo propio” being the sole Netflix film in the Special Presentation section.
A historic moment for Pakistani cinema awaits its world premiere at the festival. Italian sales company Luminalia has secured global rights to “Lali,” Sarmad Sultan Khoosat’s directorial debut and the first all-Pakistani production selected for the Berlin Film Festival. Directed by Khoosat, co-written with Sundus Hashmi, and starring Rasti Farooq, Mehr Bano, Channan Hanif, and Mamya Shajaffar, “Lali” takes viewers through the lives of a new bride in Sahiwal’s shantytowns.
Set against Zeba’s struggles to reconcile love with fear under her mother-in-law and neighbor’s guidance, Sajawal’s paranoia, and their feisty mother-in-law and wise neighbour. Producers Tommaso and Luminalia see “Lali” as a perfect fit for their mission of championing cinema from marginalized countries.
Berlin’s early-year positioning makes it a key indicator for the independent film industry: nearly 12,000 participants, spanning over 140 countries, converge for public screenings and opportunities to test films’ commercial potential. Last year’s ticket sales topped 336,000, and youth tickets priced at six euros are expected to boost attendance.
Berlin’s ethos of inclusivity, cultural exchange, and cinematic exploration is further demonstrated by its focus on honoring Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh with a lifetime achievement award, balancing recognition of excellence in cinema with socially engaged storytelling.
Beyond competition films, the festival also honors visionary directors like Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, who has garnered international acclaim for his works at prestigious film festivals. “Lali” aligns with Berlin’s mission to discover new voices while reaffirming its legacy as a festival that champions daring and socially-engaged cinema.
In an early January setting, the stories of Sahiwal’s young couple and Kabul’s women are juxtaposed against global narratives. This year’s lineup reflects a film industry seeking to illuminate lives across borders through the power of cinematic storytelling.