This is the second year that Tricia Tuttle is the artistic director of the festival.
The selection includes a mix of international cinema, political films, and deep character stories, and it also brings in big-name actors, showing a growing link between Hollywood stars and European directors who are recognized for their awards.
*Rosebush Pruning*, directed by Karim Aïnouz, is one of the most talked-about films in the competition.
It's a modern satire about a family dealing with deep secrets and broken relationships, especially after the mother’s death. Tuttle described the film as a "twisted thriller" about a wealthy family that falls apart when dark secrets come out.
Another highly-anticipated film is *Josephine*, which will have its premiere at Sundance and is one of two films showing internationally at the Berlinale.
It's a psychological thriller about a family searching for justice after their child witnesses a crime. The film is a personal story for its director, who said it captures the emotional pain and helplessness of a family that has lost their sense of safety.
Tuttle gave a presentation along with her co-directors, Jacqueline Lyanga and Michael Stütz, where she introduced both the competition lineup and the Perspectives section, which was started last year.
The first film announced was *At the Sea* by Kornél Mundruczó, an expansive drama with Amy Adams in a powerful performance. She plays a former dancer coming to terms with her past and trauma after rehab. Mundruczó is known for his film *Pieces of a Woman*, which won an Oscar nomination for its star Vanessa Kirby.
Tuttle said they loved many films this year, especially because they are diverse.
She mentioned that there are “lots of interesting films for the market that haven’t sold yet.” She added that whatever kind of cinema someone likes, they will find something exciting in the competition. The films are made by top filmmakers who are doing their own unique work.
European cinema stars are also part of the lineup.
Juliette Binoche, who was once the president of the jury, stars in *Queen at Sea*, which explores themes like dementia and marital loyalty. Sandra Hüller, known for *A Zone of Interest* and *Anatomy of a Fall*, will star in *Rose*, a dramatic film set in the 17th-century Protestant village.
The competition also includes films by Berlinale alumni, such as Fernando Eimbcke, whose new film *Moscas* is a black-and-white story following his earlier film *Olmo*.
Angela Schanelec, who has won awards at Berlin, will present *Meine Frau weint* (My Wife Cries). Turkish-German director İlker Ğatak is back with *Gelbe Briefe* (Yellow Letters), which deals with a couple in Ankara facing increasing state oppression.
Alain Gomis, who once won the Silver Bear for his film *Felicité*, comes back with *Dao*, set between France and Guinea Bissau, exploring themes of family and heritage.
Eva Trobisch, whose film *Ivo* was shown at Berlinale’s Encounters section, will present *Etwas ganz Besonderes* (Home Stories), a story about a German family divided between East and West.
Other notable films in the competition include *We Are All Strangers*, Anthony Chen’s third and final film in his acclaimed *Growing Up* trilogy.
Chad’s Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, known for *A Screaming Man*, which won a prize at Cannes, will present *Soumsoum, la nuit des astres*, a mystery coming-of-age story.
The competition also highlights animated films, such as *A New Dawn*, a solo feature by Yoshitoshi Shinomiya, who has worked on famous anime like *Your Name*.
Tuttle included some surprises, like *Everybody Digs Bill Evans*, a film by Grant Gee about the legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans.
It stars Anders Danielsen Lie, Bill Pullman, and Laurie Metcalf.
The Perspectives section, which highlights first-time filmmakers, will include 13 films, with possibly a 14th being added soon.
One of the films is *Animol*, directed by Ashley Walters, who was in the film *Adolescence*. The movie follows boys at a young offender institution and includes his co-star Stephen Graham. Another standout film is *A Prayer for the Dying*, a
As announced before, Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat's romantic comedy "No Good Men" is starting the festival, and German director Wim Wenders will take over as jury president, replacing Todd Haynes. "No Good Men" is a romantic comedy set in a Kabul newsroom during the time when the country was democratic, before the Taliban came back in 2021.
Following last year's event, where actors like Timothée Chalamet and Robert Pattinson presented films at the Palast, this year's festival will have big names across all sections, including the competition, Perspectives, Panorama, and Special Gala.
Some highlights include the international premiere of Charli xcx's upcoming mockumentary "The Moment," the world premiere of Isabelle Huppert's vampire film "The Blood Countess," and the historical drama "The Weight," which stars Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe.
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