The organizers of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), which announced its awards last March but is scheduled to present them in its summer edition next June, are considering holding the festival outdoors due to restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The final decision will be announced in early May, but the festival management has stated that they are discussing options with authorities in the German capital to prevent the festival in June from screening films in indoor venues.
Festival organizers Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian stated in a press release that "the safety of everyone and the reduction of the spread of COVID-19 are certainly a priority."
The statement clarified that the festival organizers wish to "explore the possibility of organizing a cultural event" while considering COVID-19 testing protocols.
In the edition of the festival that concluded on March 5, the Golden Bear award was given to the Romanian film "Babardeala cu bucluc sau porno balamuc" by Radu Jude, while the Grand Jury Prize went to the Japanese film "Guzen to sozo" by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. The Silver Bear for Best Director was awarded to the German film "Herr Bachmann und seine Klasse" by Maria Speth. Additionally, the jury awarded the Silver Bear for Best Performance to German actress Maren Eggert for her role in "I'm Your Man" directed by Maria Schrader.
