Parade of stars in Berlin: Cillian Murphy, Lupita Nyong'o and their companions at the 74th Berlinale – The stars –

The Berlin Film Festival begins on Thursday. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o (“12 Years a Slave”) chairs the international jury this year and made her first appearance at a press conference with the other jury members this morning.

The Berlinale Festival is scheduled to open on Thursday evening with the Irish-Belgian drama “Small Things Like This” directed by Tim Millants. Lead actor Cillian Murphy and producer Matt Damon, among others, arrived for the event – and the two Hollywood stars were also present at the film's press conference in the afternoon.

Guests on Thursday evening also included actresses Saoirse Ronan (“Lady Bird”), Iris Berben and Liv-Lisa Fries, actor Lars Edinger, former professional footballer Philipp Lahm, and German Secretary of State for Culture Claudia Roth (The Greens). and Berlin Governor Kai Wegener (CDU).

The Berlinale, along with Cannes and Venice, is one of the largest film festivals in the world. Shortly before the start of the 74th session, controversy erupted over the invitation and disinvitation of AfD politicians to the opening ceremony. As usual, party representatives were invited to the opening and wanted to attend. After much criticism, the festival management canceled her invitation again.

This time, 20 films are competing for the Golden Bear. The awards are scheduled to be presented on February 24. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegener said in advance that the Berlinale is more than just a film festival: “It is a tribute to the creativity, diversity and magic of film, which turns Berlin into a vibrant center of art and culture.”

Managing duo Mariette Riesenbeek and Carlo Chatrian led the festival through difficult years and gave it a political tone, Wegner said: “The Berlinale symbolizes universality, freedom, democracy, diversity and cohesion.” For Riesenbeck and Chatrian, this will be the final edition of the festival in their roles – and American Tricia Tuttle will take over from April.