The 2025 edition of Berlin International Film Festival is set to introduce a new competitive sidebar section called Perspectives, aimed to highlight debut feature films.
This initiative will provide more prominent platform for emerging filmmakers, that will showcase up to 14 debut features under the direction of Tricia Tuttle, director of incoming festival.
According to reports, the Perspectives section will represent a diverse range of international voices, characterized by bold and fluent cinematic language, offering unique perspectives and fresh ways of seeing the world. “We are looking for features representing a genuinely international range of voices which have a bold and fluent cinematic language and offer arresting perspectives and new ways of seeing the world,” said Tuttle in a statement.
A jury comprised of three industry professionals will evaluate the films and award the best first feature film with a cash prize of $53,000 (€50,000), which will be shared between the producers and directors of the winning entry.
Previously, the best first feature award was chosen from debut features across all sections of the festival. With the introduction of Perspectives, the selection process will involve the festival director, co-directors of film programming, and section heads from the Panorama, Forum, and Generation sidebars.
While world premieres will be prioritized, the section will also consider films that have premiered in their country of origin.
In addition to the new section, the Berlinale has decided to discontinue its Encounters section, which was previously dedicated to more experimental cinema. This reshuffling is part of Tuttle’s broader efforts to revitalize the festival.
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