The opening night of the Berlinale belongs to the stars – and this year an unusually high number will be walking the red carpet, with a few high-profile surprise celebrity guests also expected.
A film festival without a touch of Hollywood? For the Berlinale organisers that is out of the question.
So, once again they're expecting to deliver a generous dose of glamour from across the Atlantic this year and the who's who list is certainly very impressive.
Among those likely in Berlin is Channing Tatum. Having made his name in action, comedy and dance roles, this time he is showing a much more serious side in Josephine, a drama about violence and the brutality of the world.
Also confirmed are Neil Patrick Harris, best known from the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and Bella Ramsey, who recently gained international attention with the series The Last of Us. Both appear in the competition film Sunny Dancer.
Amanda Seyfried is also making time for the Berlinale. The actor recently attracted big audiences into cinemas together with Sydney Sweeney in the film The Housemaid - which is set for a sequel. In Berlin she'll be present for the premiere of The Testament of Ann Lee, in which she plays the lead role.
Another highlight is likely to be Karim Aïnouz's film Rosebush Pruning. The director is bringing a star-studded cast to Berlin: Pamela Anderson, Elle Fanning and Lukas Gage are all expected on the red carpet.
And there's added intrigue for celebrity spotters as British actor Callum Turner is also due to attend; he is currently being touted as the new James Bond.
Providing a counterpoint to the often serious festival line-up this year is singer Charli xcx. Her album brat dominated the playlists and social media feeds of many young fans in the summer of 2024. She is now screening The Moment - the accompanying ironic mockumentary at the Berlinale, created around her brat tour, placing herself between theatre stars, political dramas and documentaries.
Word on the street suggests, she'll also be joined by reality star Kylie Jenner, the youngest member of the Kardashian clan, who has a brief cameo in the satirical film. Charlie xcx was at the Berlinale last year to support her co-star Timothée Chalamet, so a Berlin winter is nothing new to her.
Famous faces from Germany
Germany's film industry is also strongly represented this year, and many national stars will be shining on the red carpet at Potsdamer Platz. Among them is Sandra Hüller, who plays the lead in the competition film Rose .
Lars Eidinger is also expected; he appears in the macabre film Die Blutgräfin
A special moment at this year's Berlinale will be the tribute to composer Max Richter, who is being honoured with the Berlinale Camera. The accolade will be presented by director Chloé Zhao, with whom Richter most recently worked on Hamnet .
One of the early highlights of the festival will take place on the Berlinale's second day: Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh will receive the Honorary Golden Bear in recognition of her outstanding achievements, but she, too, will be on the red carpet at Potsdamer Platz for the grand opening ceremony.
Getting up close and comfortable with the stars
Like every year, fans who want to see the stars up close should gather in the fan area by the red carpet, well before the lights come on.
However, do wrap up warm. If you can't bear the cold but don't want to miss the buzz, you can make yourself comfortable just a few metres away at the Manifesto Market on the ground floor of The Playce.
From there, the entire red carpet parade and its Hollywood style glamour will be streamed live. No stars expected to be in touching distance, but with good central heating and hot drinks and snacks available!
