The Berlin Film Festival has added new screening venues and hubs ahead of its 75th edition in February.
A press release on Tuesday announced that the festival will “revitalize” its Potsdamer Platz location with the addition of two new facilities: Stage Bluemax Theater and Berlinale Hub 75.
The Stage Bluemax Theater on Marlene Dietrich Square will be the new premiere venue with 500 seats. Berlin will host Berlinale’s new Perspectives competition for first-time feature films, as well as a variety of other premieres during the festival.
Hub 75, also located on Marlene Dietrich Square, will be built as a temporary festival hub hosting a series of free talks and events for a general audience. It also serves as a networking space for industry guests.
A press release said these changes were made in response to “the closure of some major screens in the region” and “capacity reductions at other venues,” resulting in the reduction of approximately 150,000 screening seats. It says it was lost. The Berlinale chose to add these venues to keep the event close to Potsdamer Platz, rather than moving the festival to other locations in Berlin.
“Since the closure and redevelopment of the main cinema in 2022, the Berlinale has lost some of its former presence and the liveliness around our center in Potsdamer Platz,” said incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle. said in a statement. “These new venues are part of our long-term plan to rebuild a more walkable festival hub and inject additional energy and visibility into this central hub.”
The Berlin Film Festival will be held from February 13th to 23rd.
