Even in the middle of a pandemic, Berlinale Talents creates a space for encounters, networks and exchanges. Placed under the theme of "Dreams," this 19th edition will take place between 1-5 March.

200 chosen Talents as well as a host of guests and the public will participate at a virtual forum which will showcase quality programmes about the magical world of cinema. 

To get the most out of the virtual edition Berlinale Talents asked set-designer Uli Hanisch (The Queen's Gambit, Babylon Berlin) to transform the HAU Hebbel Theatre am Ufer into a digital set. "It's just like being in a dream: Talents, audience and guests will be in Berlin and elsewhere at the same time. The alleged opposition between 'Real' and 'Virtual' is consumed by our optimistic 'Everywhere' for this edition of Berlinale Talents -- a programmatic dream journey, which gives new form to our vision for a creative world without boundaries," say Berlinale Talents heads Christine Tröstrum and Florian Weghorn. 

200 Selected Talents

For the first time in 2021, the group includes emerging curators of festivals, innovative VOD-platforms and communal cinemas that shape the future of the audience experience from Indonesia to Mexico. 55% of participants this year define themselves as female, a top value that waits to be replicated industry-wide, as so many applications unmistakably called for. And a broader trend: the social engagement of Talents goes far beyond their films. As creative entrepreneurs they are strongly committed to fairer working relations and equal pay, they are founding film collectives and cinema associations to strengthen their position, and they advocate in favour of indigenous communities, against climate change and for the queer community.

The complete programme, including events for the film industry, talks and live-workshops open to the public will be published mid-February.