Highlights from the 2025 Berlinale Film Festival
The Berlinale Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious movie events, took place in 2025, showcasing a variety of films and celebrating remarkable talents in the industry. This year’s festival was particularly memorable, featuring a mix of inspiring stories, standout performances, and innovative filmmaking.
Golden Bear Winner
Dreams: A Groundbreaking Story
Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud was awarded the coveted Golden Bear for his film Dreams. This poignant queer love story concludes his trilogy, which also includes Sex and Love. The film tells the story of a teenage girl’s deep affection for her female teacher. It is a narrative driven by nostalgia, as the protagonist reflects on her memories by writing a novel based on her experiences.
Critics praised Dreams for its warmth and humor, noting the film’s ability to balance emotional depth with comedic elements. The jury at Berlinale, chaired by esteemed filmmaker Todd Haynes, selected this film from 19 contenders, acknowledging its exceptional storytelling and emotional engagement.
Noteworthy Acting Awards
Outstanding Performances at the Festival
This year, the acting awards went to:
- Rose Byrne: She received the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance for her compelling role in If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You. In this film, Byrne plays a therapist nearing a breakdown, delivering a performance that critics found both heartbreaking and amusing.
- Andrew Scott: He captured the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance for portraying Broadway composer Richard Rogers in Blue Moon. Both films are set to be released in the United States by A24 and Sony Pictures Classics, respectively.
Other Festival Highlights
Appreciating Diverse Narratives
Apart from the major awards, several other films and directors received recognition:
The Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize was awarded to The Blue Trail, directed by Gabriel Mascaro. This Brazilian film tells the story of a defiant elderly woman who fights against societal expectations of aging, choosing to follow her dreams instead.
Best Director honors went to Huo Meng for his film Living the Land, which portrays the struggles of a poor farming family as they adapt to China’s rapid transformation into an economic powerhouse.
Silver Bear Jury Prize was given to Ivan Fund for The Message, a unique black-and-white road movie about a young girl who believes she can communicate with animals.
Best Screenplay went to Radu Jude for Kontinental ’25, a modern morality tale set in Romania showcasing a biting social critique.
- Outstanding Artistic Contribution was awarded to the ensemble of The Ice Tower, directed by Lucile Hadzihalilovic. This film is a creative rendition of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, featuring the talented Marion Cotillard in dual roles.
Documentaries and Debuts
Exploring Significant Realities
Best Documentary: Brandon Kramer’s Holding Liat took home the award. This film provides a gripping look into an Israeli-American family’s struggles after two of their members were kidnapped by Hamas. Kramer emphasized the complexities of crisis in personal narratives.
- Best Feature Debut: Mexican director Ernesto Martínez Bucio was honored for The Devil Smokes (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box. This family drama set in 1990s Mexico City tells the story of five siblings left to fend for themselves with their grandmother, who has schizophrenia, blurring the line between reality and imagination.
Conclusion
The 2025 Berlinale Film Festival celebrated a diverse array of films and performances that not only entertained but also provoked thought and emotion. The films showcased this year reflect a rich tapestry of stories across various cultures, emphasizing the importance of representation and artistic vision in cinema.
2025 Berlinale Winners at a Glance
- Golden Bear for Best Film: Dreams, Dag Johan Haugerud
- Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize: The Blue Trail, Gabriel Mascaro
- Silver Bear Jury Prize: The Message, Ivan Fund
- Silver Bear for Best Director: Huo Meng for Living the Land
- Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance: Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You
- Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance: Andrew Scott for Blue Moon
- Silver Bear for Best Screenplay: Radu Jude for Kontinental ’25
- Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution: Ensemble of The Ice Tower
- Best Directorial Debut: The Devil Smokes (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box), Ernesto Martínez Bucio
- Best Documentary: Holding Liat, Brandon Kramer
The festival reinforced the power of storytelling and the shared human experience through film, reminding us of the vital role cinema plays in our understanding of the world.
