Berlinale 2026: Industry Events, Showcases and Networking
By MetFilm School
12 February 2026
With Berlinale returning from 12–22 February 2026, MetFilm School Berlin is supporting students with access to a wide range of Berlinale-week opportunities, from exclusive industry events and public talks to sustainability panels, talent showcases and key networking spaces.
As one of Europe’s leading film festivals, Berlinale offers students a unique opportunity to engage with the international film industry. Some events are free, while others require paid entry, but all provide valuable access to professional spaces, conversations and connections that extend far beyond the classroom.
From London to Berlin, our students are gaining first-hand insight into how the European and global industries intersect with UK filmmaking – building international networks and broadening their professional outlook.
Here’s our round-up of events MetFilm School students will be attending:
Games Meets Film – Berlinale Edition
Thu 12 Feb, House of Music
Organised by medianet, this Berlinale Edition of Games Meets Film brings together professionals from film, games and tech alongside international festival and market visitors.
The English-language panel explores how cinematic storytelling and interactive worlds are increasingly converging – from virtual production to sustainable cross-industry collaboration, followed by curated networking designed for meaningful industry exchange.
For UK students, it’s a valuable insight into the growing crossover between screen sectors, an area of increasing importance within the UK’s creative industries.
European Shooting Stars – Berlinale HUB 76
Mon 16 Feb
European Shooting Stars spotlights 10 emerging actors from across Europe in a live format combining conversation and clips. The showcase highlights new performance talent and offers insight into casting trends and career development across the continent.
For acting, directing and producing students, it’s an opportunity to observe how talent is positioned on the international stage – and to understand how European and UK markets connect.
VTFF Green Tec Day – Sustainability in International Co-Productions
Mon 16 Feb, Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities
With sustainability becoming central to UK production policy and funding frameworks, VTFF Green Tec Day offers timely insight into ecological standards in international co-productions.
The main English-language panel, ‘Green Without Borders? – Sustainability in International Co-Productions’ (17:00–18:30), explores how environmental standards are implemented across borders where regulations and budgets differ.
For UK filmmakers working increasingly in European and global partnerships, this conversation is directly relevant to future-proofing production practice.
Revolver – Berlinale Party
Mon 16 Feb, Südblock
A long-running Berlinale staple, the Revolver party brings together filmmakers, actors, producers and festival guests in an informal setting.
For students, it’s a chance to experience how relationships and collaborations often begin outside formal panels and pitch sessions – reflecting the importance of community-building within both the UK and international industries.
T-Port Talent Bridge – Workshop for Short Filmmakers
Tue 17 Feb, ZK/U
Led by Amos Geva (T-Port), this half-day workshop focuses on what happens after completing a film: defining goals, navigating the festival circuit, pitching effectively and planning next steps strategically.
The session is particularly valuable for emerging UK filmmakers seeking to position short films internationally. The fee includes access to the Encourage Talents networking event, with fee waivers available for those facing financial difficulty.
BIPoC Alliance Berlinale Party – ACCESS GRANTED: SILK & SWEAT
Tue 17 Feb, Prince Charles
Founded during Berlinale 2024, the BIPoC Alliance supports representation and long-term network building for BIPoC filmmakers across the German-speaking region.
For UK students, attending events like this highlights the importance of inclusive industry spaces and cross-border solidarity, aligning with ongoing conversations around representation and equity within the UK screen sector.
Masterclass with MetFilm School alum Assaf Machnes
Fri 20 Feb, Kino/Molecule Studios
Director, writer and MetFilm School London graduate Assaf Machnes joins us for a masterclass exploring the journey from film education to festival premiere. His debut feature, Where To?, will have its world premiere at Berlinale 2026 in the Perspectives section.
The session examines development, writing/directing practice and building professional momentum. Selected filmmaking students will also attend festival screenings (17–22 Feb) in preparation for the discussion – offering direct insight into the pathway from UK film school to major international festival premiere.
Berlinale Talents 2026
13–18 Feb, Radialsystem
Berlinale Talents brings together 200 emerging creatives from around the world for talks, workshops and debates. The 2026 theme, ‘Creating (and) Confusion – Cinema, Chaos and the Power of Discomfort,’ explores creativity within a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
For UK students, Talents offers rare access to global practitioners and high-level industry conversations – broadening perspectives beyond the domestic market and situating their practice within an international context.
TEDDY Award 2026
An official Berlinale prize founded in 1987, the TEDDY Award celebrates queer cinema and its cultural impact through a week-long programme of talks, panels and industry gatherings.
The programme culminates in the TEDDY After Show Party at Volksbühne on Friday 20 February – one of the festival’s most vibrant and inclusive meeting points.
For UK-based filmmakers, the TEDDY programme reflects the ongoing importance of LGBTQ+ storytelling and international community-building within contemporary cinema.
