The TEDDY AWARD is a societal engaged political award, which is given to films and people, that communicate queer themes and content on a large scale and contribute with this to more tolerance, acceptance, solidarity and equality in society. The TEDDY AWARD has with this not only cultural importance. As long as homosexuality is threatened in parts of the world with the capital punishment and is even in towns like Berlin a homophobe power in the agenda, TEDDY AWARD also carries a political significance and responsibility. THE AWARD Within the scope of the Berlin International Film Festival the TEDDY AWARDS are awarded in the categories  best feature film, best documentary / essay film and best short film, as well as the Special Teddy for artistic life’s work given to an outstanding personality. Movies from all sections of the Berlin International Film Festival – most of them world premieres – compete every year for the TEDDY AWARD. An independent international jury reviews all the films with queer content from the programme of the Berlin International Film Festival and selects the prizewinners* in the respective categories. The International TEDDY Jury can also award a Jury Award and nominate nominees in the individual categories. The line-up of the present TEDDY AWARD winners goes from international star-directors such as: Pedro Almodóvar, Gus van Sant, Derek Jarman and Werner Schroeter to international on-screen stars such as Helmut Berger, Joe Dallesandro, John Hurt and Oscar-Winner Tilda Swinton. The TEDDY AWARD is a non-profit event. The TEDDY AWARD finances itself only by contributions of sustaining members and patrons of the Teddy e.V., by donation of supporters, the contribution of many voluntary helpers as well as sponsors and the earnings of the award gala.