The 76th Berlinale takes place from 12 to 22, February.
This year's festival is full of school-themed elements.

* Our student team is participating in the first edition of the Berlinale Film School Summit, the programme of which is based on two pillars: international networking and access to the professional film industry and its structures.

The workshops are attended by students of film directing and production: Maciej Tyburski, Marcjanna Lelek, Jakub Jakubik, Tymoteusz Kałużewski, Franciszek Berbeka, Qingshan Meng, Martyna Antczak, Weronika Bławat, Wiktor Lewandowski, Szymon Pawlicki, Jonasz Różański, Weronika Tomaszewska.

* Marcin Malatyński, Head for International Relations and film producer, is participating in the European Film Market and is a guest at the Polish stand of the Polish Film Institute.
Marcin was a panelist in the discussion entitled "Long Legs of Short Films – A Practical Panel for Short Film Creators", which took place on 14th, February.

European Film Market website: efm-berlinale.de/en/home/homepage

* We are delighted to announce the films of our international alumni.

The feature-length debut "A Prayer for the Dying" by Dara Van Dusen, our directing graduate, will have its international premiere in the Perspectives competition.

Film synopsis: In 1870, the town of Friendship, Wisconsin, is enduring a dry, hot summer. The small town revolves around Jacob Hansen (Johnny Flynn), a hero of the American Civil War who, in spite of his many accomplishments, is unable to cast off the violence and darkness of his past as a soldier.
Our cinematography graduate, Kate McCullough, worked as DOP on the film.

Film at festival website: berlinale.de/en/2026/programme

In the Panorama section, where filmmakers compete for the Audience Award, the film by Joaquín del Paso, our cinematography graduate, "The Garden We Dreamed," will premiere.

Film synopsis: Haitian couple Esther and Junior undertake a journey to the northern part of the American continent with Esther’s daughters, Flor and Aisha. They are in pursuit of a better future. In Mexico, they settle in a remote forest where illegal logging shapes both the lives of the people and the fragile forest that surrounds them.

Film at festival website: berlinale.de/en/2026/programme

In the same section there is a documentary film "Traces" directed by Alina Kovalenko, co-edited by iur Rector Ph. D. Milenia Fiedler.
berlinale.de/en/2026/programme

* The Berlinale Shorts competition includes Zuza Banasińska's film "Kontrewers" with cinematography by Jakub Dylewski, our cinematography graduate.   berlinale.de/en/2026/programme

* In the Retrospectives section, festival audiences will have the opportunity to see "The Double Life of Veronique" by Krzysztof Kieślowski, our outstanding directing graduate.  berlinale.de/en/2026/programme
Sławomir Idziak, our graduate and famous cinematographer, worked as DOP on the film.

Enjoy the meetings, debuts, and screenings, and we wish you the best possible edition of the Berlinale!

1 - Berlinale 2026 poster
2 - student representation at the festival /private collection
3 - still from the film "A Prayer for the Dying"
4 – still from the film "The Garden We Dreamed"
5 – still from the film "Kontrewers"
6 – still from the film "The Double Life of Veronique"