Editor

From February 11 to 21, 2010, the Berlin International Film Festival will be held for the 60th time. This anniversary will be accompanied by two book publications and a DVD edition that look back at the history of one of the world's most important film festivals.

"On occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Berlinale, the past six decades will be brought back to life. These two publications recount the history of the festival from entirely different perspectives," says Festival Director Dieter Kosslick. "We are also especially delighted that our anniversary has inspired the film staff of the Süddeutsche Zeitung to put together a new edition for their SZ Cinemathek."

In January 2010, journalist and author Peter Cowie's reflections on the festival will be published with a foreword by French film critic and writer Michel Ciment. Cowie recalls the history of the Berlin International Film Festival and presents the Berlinale today. This book, "The Berlinale. The Festival", illustrated with historical photos and snapshots from the Berlinale's many sections and initiatives, is being published by Bertz + Fischer in both German and English.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung publishing house is bringing out another anniversary publication, a book of photos, entitled "The Berlinale". The Deutsche Kinemathek - Museum für Film und Fernsehen has compiled a work dramaturgically arranged in 18 chapters that enacts photos from six decades - from the arrival of the stars to the award ceremony, from the giant fan community to a glimpse behind the scenes. The book will be available from January 9, 2010.

"The history of the Berlinale has been marked by political turbulence - the Cold War, the protests of 1968, the opening of the East and the later political upheaval in Europe. This book of photos impressively reflects the diversity of the festival," comments Rainer Rother, Director of the Deutsche Kinemathek - Museum für Film und Fernsehen.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung Cinemathek is releasing a Berlinale edition with 22 films that will also go on sale on January 9, 2010.

The film staff of the Süddeutsche Zeitung has selected their own personal highlights from the films screened in the Competition and the official programme of the Berlinale since 1951. The outcome is an extraordinary DVD series that reflects the enormous range of works presented in the six decades of the Berlinale and international cinema.

"These publications and the DVD edition will enable guests and fans to get into the mood for the coming Berlinale. And then at the festival there'll be all sorts of other nice birthday surprises", states Berlinale Director Dieter Kosslick.