The Berlin International Film Festival, known as Berlinale, is set to open its 2026 edition on February 12, with its Berlinale Special section poised to be a major attraction for visiting filmmakers and audiences alike. Celebrated for its diversity, this segment promises a blend of red-carpet glamour, compelling genre cinema, and innovative series storytelling.
A Global Showcase of Cinema and Series
This year's Berlinale Special is a truly international affair, presenting a total of 19 works from 15 countries. The selection includes six documentary films and a dedicated series programme featuring six titles. An announcement regarding the section's opening film is still pending, which will complete the lineup for 2026.
The Berlinale Special Galas will host several high-profile premieres. Audiences can expect the world premiere of Teodora Ana Mihai's dramatic take on the Heysel Stadium tragedy, Heysel 85, and Ulrike Ottinger's horror-tinged Die Blutgräfin (The Blood Countess), co-written with Elfriede Jelinek and starring Isabelle Huppert. The international premiere of Noah Segan's The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, featuring John Turturro and Steve Buscemi, is also on the schedule.
European premieres will feature Padraic McKinley's The Weight with Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe, and Gore Verbinski's sci-fi comedy Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die starring Sam Rockwell and Zazie Beetz. Furthermore, a Gala event will present the German premiere of Mona Fastvold's awards contender, The Testament of Ann Lee.
Documentaries and Series Take Centre Stage
The documentary slate is equally strong, with world premieres of new works by acclaimed filmmakers Maite Alberdi, Ruth Beckermann, and Sam Pollard. The international premiere of the investigative documentary Who Killed Alex Odeh? by Jason Osder and William Lafi Youmans will also be featured.
The series programme highlights the global trend in high-quality episodic storytelling. It includes:
- The world premiere of new chapters from Mark Cousins' The Story of Documentary Film.
- A new adaptation of Lord of the Flies by Marc Munden and Jack Thorne.
- The dark comic crime drama Mint from director Charlotte Regan.
- A Chilean adaptation of Isabel Allende's La casa de los espíritus (The House of the Spirits).
- The Spanish series Ravalear from the producers of Robot Dreams.
- A German six-part horror mystery titled House of Yang.
Golden Globe 2026 Winners Celebrated
In related film industry news, the 83rd Golden Globe Awards recently concluded, honouring the year's best in film and television. The satire One Battle After Another (Warner Bros Discovery) won Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) and three other awards, including for writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson. The dramatic winner was Hamnet, a film about William Shakespeare's domestic life, which also earned Jessie Buckley the award for Best Actress.
In television categories, The Studio (Focus Features) won Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy), while The Pitt took Best TV Series (Drama). The limited series Adolescence (Netflix) was a major winner, securing four awards, including a historic win for 16-year-old Owen Cooper as the youngest ever Best Supporting Actor in a TV drama.
Other notable acting winners included Rose Byrne (Best Actress, Musical/Comedy for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You), Timothée Chalamet (Best Actor, Musical/Comedy for Marty Supreme), and Rhea Seehorn (Best Actress, TV Drama for Pluribus).
Arewa International Film Festival Set for Kaduna
Shifting focus to Nigeria, the Arewa International Film Festival (AIFF) is preparing to launch. Promoted by leading Kannywood actress Ramatu Sadau, the festival will run from January 22 to January 25 in Kaduna State.
Promoted as an annual cultural event, the AIFF aims to celebrate the rich storytelling heritage of Northern Nigeria and the Sahel region. Its core objectives are to bridge cultural divides, spotlight underrepresented filmmakers, and promote narratives deeply rooted in history, identity, and social transformation.
The festival programme will include film screenings, workshops, and masterclasses facilitated by global mentors. It also plans to run inclusive programmes designed to empower youth and women. More information is available on the official festival website: www.arewafilmfestival.com.
The convergence of these major events—from Berlin's prestigious festival to Hollywood's awards and a significant new cultural initiative in Kaduna—highlights a vibrant and dynamic period for global and Nigerian cinema in early 2026.
