With the Award Ceremony, the Berlinale reached its climax on Saturday, February 18. Hosted by Heino Ferch in the Berlinale-Palast, the event was broadcast live on 3sat. Viewers in the theatre and at home feverishly awaited the announcement of the winners (see the List of Prize-Winners).

In addition to the prize-winners, the illustrious guests of the evening included: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Meret Becker, Bibiana Beglau, Jürgen Böttcher, Detlef Buck, Ingrid Caven, Hannelore Elsner, Martina Gedeck, Matthias Glasner, Romuald Karmarkar, Jan Josef Liefers, Peter Lohmeyer, Anna Loos, Florian Lukas, Franka Potente, Oskar Roehler, Otto Sander and Wim Wenders.

Interest in the Berlinale among visitors from the film industry and the public was greater than ever. More than 19,000 accredited visitors from 120 countries, including 3,800 journalists, attended the Festival. And the public’s enthusiasm was strongly felt as well: over 150,000 tickets were sold to the public who thronged into Berlinale cinemas where some 360 films were shown in 1,115 screenings. And a further treat will be offered to the public on Sunday: a selection of this year’s Berlinale films will be rescreened for the “Kinotag”.

Berlinale souvenirs also enjoyed great popularity. 5,600 items – bags, cups, teddy bears, T-shirts and caps – were already sold out midway through the Festival.

What is more, the European Film Market was successfully launched at its new venue in the Martin-Gropius-Bau. With over 250 participating companies and some 650 films, the EFM not only grew in size and significance, but also expanded and consolidated its position in the international film world.

“I am delighted by the great mood which prevailed at this year’s Berlinale”, says Festival Director Dieter Kosslick . “With the new European Film Market the final component for restructuring the Festival has been put in place. The initiatives introduced over the past five years have been positively received and are beginning to bear fruits. The fact that we have not only become more attractive for the film industry but also for the public is a lovely outcome. For me it has been a wonderful Berlinale.”