The Berlin International Film Festival is one of the most important in Europe. Screenings are held at venues throughout the city, including the Urania and Berlinale Palast.Founded in 1951 on an American-led Cold War initiative, the festival has outgrown its original remit to become one of the region's leading film events.

It has long hosted world-class filmmakers; Ingmar Bergman, Satyajit Ray, Michelangelo Antonioni, Roman Polanski and the leading directors of the French Nouvelle Vogue - Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut and Claude Chabrol - have all enjoyed notable triumphs in Berlin.

As well as its competition and main screenings, the festival also hosts an annual competition of "shooting stars" - 18 filmmakers who have made their names in their respective countries - as well as the increasingly popular Forum of Young Cinema and the children's film festival.

When:7 - 17 Feb 2008 (annual)
Where:Berlinale - Palast
Cost:Various
Opening Hours:Various