Category Archives: Blog

The Host of the 39th TEDDY AWARD

Get ready for an unforgettable evening as we welcome this year’s host of the TEDDY AWARD, the one and only Britta Steffenhagen –  a Berliner, an original Kreuzberg native: “Being Berlin’”has greatly shaped my sense of humor,” she says. A true force of nature, Britta brings her unique blend of wit, charm, and energy to the stage. Known for her dynamic presence, she has captivated audiences as an actress, comedian, and performer across various platforms. 
 
She is an actress, entertainer, host, performer, stand-up comedian, cabaret artist, writer, improvisation star, and radio journalist—an enthusiastic artist.  And—she is also a trained political scientist. Britta lived for an extended period in Canada, London, and Dublin, speaking and performing in all facets of English.  

With the acclaimed cult show “Die Rixdorfer Perlen,” Britta performed on stage at the “Heimathafen Neukölln” for over ten years.  She has voiced countless audiobooks and radio plays, and for years has been a voice actor, including being the permanent voice of Natasha Lyonne, Kerry Condon, and Rachel Weisz. 

 She has hosted the European Film Prize, as well as the well-known “Achtung Berlin” Film Festival, the “Green Visions,” and various cultural events.  She is also a host on Radioeins, where her “live radio show” won the “Grimme Prize” for the best radio show in Germany.  
 
Expect an evening full of laughter, bold statements, and insightful interviews that celebrate the best in queer cinema. Britta’s vibrant hosting style promises to deliver both humor and heart, offering a fresh perspective on the world of film while ensuring an unforgettable experience for all.

Get your tickets HERE.

You can also see the livestream of the Ceremony on teddyaward.tv.

TEDDY TODAY: 17th of February 2025

Two exciting premieres await you today! Which movie will be your new favorite?

INTERVIEWS:

Lloyd Wong, Unfinished

In the 1990s, Chinese-Canadian artist Lloyd Wong began a video work about his living with HIV. It remained unfinished. Thirty years after his death, filmmaker Lesley Loksi Chan discovers and edits the material. 

Premiere: 17.02./18:30, Urania

More information about the film can be found here

Silent Sparks

Freshly released from prison, Pua plunges into the world of gangsters. His long-awaited reunion with his former cellmate Mi-ji falls short of his expectations. Both men will soon have to make some difficult choices. 

Premiere: 17.02./22:00, Zoo Palast 2

PREMIERES:

Lloyd Wong, Unfinished

Directed by: Lesley Loksi Chan
Canada, 2025, 29′

In the 1990s, Chinese-Canadian artist Lloyd Wong began a video work about his living with HIV. It remained unfinished. Thirty years after his death, filmmaker Lesley Loksi Chan discovers and edits the material. 

SCREENING TIMES:

17.02./18:30, Urania

Silent Sparks

Freshly released from prison, Pua plunges into the world of gangsters. His long-awaited reunion with his former cellmate Mi-ji falls short of his expectations. Both men will soon have to make some difficult choices. 

SCREENING TIMES:

17.02./22:00, Zoo Palast 2

RERUNS:

Ari
17.02./20:30, Haus der Berliner Festspiele

Batim (Houses)
17.02./12:30, Cubix 8

Come la notte (Where the Night Stands Still)
17.02./21:30, Cubix 5

Dreams in Nightmares
17.02./21:30, Cubix 9

Hot Milk 
17.02./21:45,Uber Eats Music Hall

Kaj ti je deklica (Little Trouble Girls)
17.02./15:30, Colosseum 1

Kein Tier. So Wild. (No Beast. So Fierce)
17.02./21:30, Colosseum 1

La Tour de Glace (The Ice Tower)
17.02./12:45, Uber Eats Music Hall
17.02./22:00, HKW 1 – Miriam Makeba Auditorium

Le Rendez-vous de l’été (That Summer in Paris)
17.02./21:30, Cubix 8

Magic Farm
17.02./15:30, Urania

O último azul (The Blue Trail)
17.02./10:00, Urania
17.02./19:15, Uber Eats Music Hall

Peter Hujar’s Day
17.02./21:45, Filmtheater am Friedrichshain

Queerpanorama
17.02./15:45, Cubix 5

RAPTURE
17.02./12:00, Cinema Betonhalle@Silent Green

Satanische Sau (Satanic Sow)
17.02./10:15, Cubix 7

Vestida de azul (Dressed in Blue)
17.02./20:00, KLICK Kino

Zečji nasip (Sandbag Dam)
17.02./13:15, Cubix 6
17.02./17:00, KLICK Kino

TEDDY TALKS AND EVENTS

TEDDY Talk: Queer Creations Part 3

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH, 15:00-16:30, Martin-Gropius-Bau Kino: The Queer-Creation Talks are about exploring, analysing and connecting people, organizations and initiatives in the queer film network. In Part 3, we continue with organizations that provide training and development support for queer feature films, from documentaries to fiction films. An essential part of supporting queer projects is ensuring timely and effective development support, which has been rare in the past, but a number of training programs have pioneered this, and we look at how their models can inspire further programs that could benefit queer storytelling. More information you can find here.

Queer Your Program; Speedy Film Pitches

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH,17:00–18:00 Martin-Gropius-Bau Kino:  Thirty Filmmakers whose films are ready for distribution will present their projects within two-minute pitches to programmers, distributors and sales agents. 
Join in to find potentially your next opening night film.

QUEER Industry Reception 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH,18:00–20:30 Martin-Gropius-Bau-Lichthof: The annual gathering of industry professionals from the Queer Film Industry, from filmmakers to programmers, to distributors and sales agents at Gropius Bau Lichthof.

TEDDY TALENTS TALK: LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!

TUESDAY, 18.02., 14:30–16:00 HAU2, Hebbel am Ufer, Hallesches Ufer 34, 10963 Berlin: Few things are more indispensable to queer storytelling than the act of listening. For it is listening that drives both coming out and coming of age stories, where characters gradually wake up to the power of their desires and to the wonders of the world around them. It takes a lot of courage to listen to our hearts while telling these stories; doing so means undertaking major risks, both personally and professionally. In this third edition of the Teddy Talents Talks, we invite four film professionals to reflect on the boundaries they have shattered just by listening courageously, and how important the act of listening has proved in their practice.

The panelists are Faridah Gbadamosi, Jun Li, Paulina Lorenz und Connor Jessup. The moderation will be done by Djamila Grandits . More information you can find here.

February 17th: TEDDY DIRECTORS EXCHANGES

Collage Directors Exchange Reclaiming - Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor (©ChrisHarris), Nastaran Tajeri-Foumani, Yihwen Chen, Paula Tomás Marques (©HelenaEstrela)
Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor (©ChrisHarris), Nastaran Tajeri-Foumani, Yihwen Chen, Paula Tomás Marques (©HelenaEstrela)

DIRECTORS EXCHANGE: (Re)claiming Authority over Narratives 

Monday, 17th of February – 10:00-10:45
HUB75 I Marlene Dietrich Platz, 10785 Berlin
Free entry without accreditation

Who has the right to tell someone else’s story and can authority and collaboration organically co-exist when it comes to fictional re-tellings, observational documentaries and exploring hard realities, how does the process between the director and those who live these realities come together to make authentic and moving works such as the three films made by our panelists: Paula Tomás Marques, Yihwen Chen, Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor. The event will be moderated by Nastaran Tajeri-Foumani. You can find more information here.

Collage Double Trouble- Co-directing TEDDY DIRECTORS EXCHANGE - o.v.l. Lina Sieckmann (© Sieckmann, Gossing), Miri Ian Gossing (© Sieckmann, Gossing), Filipe Matzembacher (© Belen Asad), Leela Varghese (© Kyahm Ross), u.v.l. Emma Hough Hobbs (© Kyahm Ross), Ana David (© Joana Linda), Marcio Reolon (© Rafael Barion)
TEDDY DIRECTORS EXCHANGE – o.v.l. Lina Sieckmann (© Sieckmann, Gossing), Miri Ian Gossing (© Sieckmann, Gossing), Filipe Matzembacher (© Belen Asad), Leela Varghese (© Kyahm Ross), u.v.l. Emma Hough Hobbs (© Kyahm Ross), Ana David (© Joana Linda), Marcio Reolon (© Rafael Barion)

DIRECTORS EXCHANGE: Double Trouble: The Art of Co-Directing 

Monday, 17th of February – 11:00-11:45
HUB75 I Marlene Dietrich Platz, 10785 Berlin
Free entry without accreditation

Collaboration, the natural process of developing a story together then taking a leap and jumping in the same director’s chair, what are the benefits of having a directing partner and do they outweigh the negatives, if there are any? Let us find out with the directors of Lesbian Space PrincessNight Stage und Sirens Call.
The panellists are Miri Ian Gossing, Lina Sieckmann, Marcio Reolon, Leela Varghese, Emma Hough Hobbs and Filipe Matzembacher. Ana David is the moderator. You can find more information here.