We are pleased to present the international jury for the 39th TEDDY AWARD. Three experienced film and festival professionals will view all films with a queer main plot from the Berlinale’s Queerlist, nominate three films in each category and select the winning films in the categories Best Feature Film, Best Short Film and Best Documentary / Essay Film. They also present the TEDDY Jury Award.
Allegra Madsen leads the Frameline, San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival as Executive Director and Programmer. Since joining Frameline in 2021, she has expanded the festival’s reach and impact, bringing groundbreaking queer cinema to diverse audiences. Her commitment to inclusive cultural programming has strengthened connections between communities through the power of film, with a particular focus on emerging LGBTQ+ voices and transgressive narratives. Under her leadership, she has built valuable partnerships with international film festivals and cultural institutions while advocating for accessible programming that inspires meaningful cultural dialogue. Madsen is a sought-after speaker at forums around the world when it comes to the future of queer cinema.
Jan Künemund, freelance film journalist, curator and full-time agent, lives in Berlin, has worked for a cinema distributor and taught media studies at the University of Hildesheim, edited the queer cinema magazine “Sissy”, co-wrote the screenplay for his feature film “Lichtes Meer” (2004) with Stefan Butzmühlen, is a member of the selection committee of DOK Leipzig and public relations worker for the Schwules Museum. He also writes reviews and other texts about film, e.g. he was co-editor of “Queer Cinema Now” (2022).
Raul Niño Zambrano has been Creative Director of Sheffield DocFest since 2023. At Sheffield DocFest, Raul has spearheaded the launch of TV documentary series premieres, the innovative Podcast Pitch and most recently the creation of the Queer Realities Director’s Lab, designed to push and inspire creative boundaries in queer non-fiction storytelling. Prior to that, he was a Senior Programmer at IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam). During his thirteen-year tenure at IDFA, Raul conducted the groundbreaking study The Female Gaze (2014), which explored the role of women in documentary filmmaking, and launched IFDA Queer Day in 2013. An active member of the documentary community, Raul has served as a juror for numerous prestigious international festivals as well as sharing his expertise as a tutor and industry mentor at renowned events such as Al Jazeera Documentary Industry Days, FESPACO, DMZ and the Bogotá Audiovisual Market.
We are delighted to present this year’s films for the 39th TEDDY AWARD. Full information on the films will be announced on February 4, 2025 and can be accessed here.
The Programme Press Conference for the 75th Berlin International Film Festival with an outlook on the films will be held on January 21, 2025, at 11 am at Haus der Kulturen der Welt. (Access only with personal invitation)
The French airline Air France is giving away a flight voucher for 2 people to a desired destination in the Air France route network, including all taxes and fees for outward and return flights.
As Last year, all tickets purchased for the 39th TEDDY AWARD for the main auditorium of the Volksbühne will again be entered into the prize draw for a return flight for 2 people to any destination in the worldwide route network of our partner AIR FRANCE.
With Air France, which has been celebrating elegance above the clouds for 90 years, the whole world is open to you: Over 167 destinations in 79 countries are served by the French airline.
And the best thing is: your vacation begins on board when you start your journey with a glass of champagne – completely “à la française”. You can also enjoy comfort and peace and quiet above the clouds or discover the varied entertainment program. Sustainable menus with French products are served on all long-haul routes from Paris, while meals in Business Class are created by leading French star chefs. Your stay on board will fly by and become a special experience.
How often have you dreamt about being up close at the biggest queer film award ceremony? Experience its outstanding actors and directors live and in color?
The TEDDY AWARD welcomes you again this year at the Volksbühne Berlin at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. Following the award ceremony, the most spectacular and glamorous queer party of the Berlinale awaits you.
The musical highlights of the 39th TEDDY AWARD Ceremony
Mariybu
She is the queen bee of German hyperpop: The Berlin-based artist Mariybu has made a name for herself in recent years as a visionary singer and producer, as well as an empowering role model, far beyond the queer scene. Sometimes strong and combative, sometimes sweet and playful, but always unapologetically herself — this is how the musician presents herself on stage. The fact that she also makes space for other female and genderqueer talents (e.g. jolle, Angel Rider, Lil’ Lil’) perfectly sums up Mariybu’s artistic DNA: It’s about mutual empowerment in an industry that still gives FLINTA* individuals too little space. While Mariybu may be a self-producing artist with a freshly founded independent label, she doesn’t just break down the walls of the industry for herself — but always also for others. Mariybu released her album “ein tag göttin” on February 14, 2025, which captures the atmosphere of the vibrant Berlin nights. It’s about escapism & ecstasy, queerness, and breaking down patriarchal structures. Musically, it falls within the realm of technoid hyperpop with rave-pop elements. Starting in April 2025, Mariybu will be on tour with her album. Tickets are available at Mariybu-shop.de.
Please note: We are very sad to announce the cancellation of Ebow’s upcoming performance due to illness. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see them back on stage soon. Get well soon!
Jade Pearl Baker & The Pearls
Jade Pearl Baker, “Berlin’s most exciting drag voice”, is the star of the queer Berlin revue DRAG.GLAM.BERLIN. at Berlin’s BKA Theater. She is supported in her dancing and singing by three brilliant drag colleagues, the “Pearls”. Her first single, which she will present at the Teddy Award, also comes from this revue:
“Celebrate the Queens” is a party anthem with political aspirations. The song celebrates Berlin’s legendary drag culture, but is also a warning.
Jade Pearl Baker: “Berlin drags, no matter what they called themselves, changed our society and continue to do so today. But the wind is getting rougher again for queer people – we can feel that in Berlin too. The reactionary forces that are attacking liberal societies worldwide have chosen drag queens as a target for their fight. We have to fight back against this, we all have to protect our drag culture together. And the best way to do that is by celebrating it.”
The Queerfantastic TEDDY After-Show-Show!
Drags 21.02.2025
Clear the stage for the stars of the queer cultural scene! This year we can look forward to a spectacular after show in which the drags will take the stage with their unique energy and breathtaking talent: the amusement ladies from Grosse Freiheit 114 and the restaurant Das Hoven will accompany you through a special night of singing, moderation and schnapps.
Nikita Vegas and Kelly Heelton are known from Drag Race Germany. Nikita has been in the business in Berlin for a long time and gives her monthly salon at Grosse Freiheit 114 – with a great voice and a lot of heart. Kelly Heelton from Frankfurt am Main has done many drag shows in the Main-Taunus district. She is currently playing at the der Bar jeder Vernunft in Berlin.
Destiny Drescher is a drag actress at the BKA Theater and makes every dance floor shake with her wit and great charisma.
Trust.The.Girl is the resident DJ at Berlin’s fabulous queer club SchwuZ.
She describes herself as an open-format DJ and loves to play with different genres to get the dance floor rocking.
DJ Miro Von Berlin
Miro Von Berlin emerged from Berlin’s nightlife, driven by cathartic dancefloor experiences and the desire to create a space where the curious can move. Preferring not to be pinned down or categorized by genre, Miro elegantly glides between danceable grooves and cosmic soundscapes, maintaining the surprise factor not only for the audience, but also for himself. No matter the setting, when Miro is behind the decks serving up electronic mutations from beyond the grave, you’re in for a captivating journey.
DJ Marie Leão
Marie Leão is the co-founder and booker of the queer-feminist party collective ¡MASH-UP! multigender Multiworld.
Her musical spectrum ranges from electronic music to pop, from punk to pinky queer tunes, from disco to indie rock. She also has plenty of hits and evergreens on offer.
Buy a ticket – Win a flight
As Last year, all tickets purchased for the 39th TEDDY AWARD for the main auditorium of the Volksbühne will again be entered into a prize draw for a return flight for 2 people to any destination in the worldwide route network of our partner AIR FRANCE.
Mark the Feb. 21, 2025 in your calendars!
Tickets for the 39. TEDDY AWARD ceremony 39th TEDDY AWARD ceremony and the After Show PARTY are available from the Volksbühne webshop or by calling the ticket hotline on 030-240 65-777.
For those who want to support the Förderverein Teddy e.V. in particular, we offer the Premium Sponsorship Ticket. With the purchase of a Premium Sponsorship Ticket, you will be a guest of honor in the best seating category between artists, filmmakers and celebrities. You will also be invited to the exclusive pre-reception from 19:00 – 20:00. For all guests who were unable to purchase a ticket for the award ceremony, we are offering our Screening Lounge Ticket this year. This allows you to watch the award ceremony from the comfort of the Roter Salon. Free entry to the subsequent after-show party is included in the price.
FRIDAY 21.02.2025 18:30 Reception Förderverein Teddy e.V. (by invitation only) 20:30 TEDDY AWARD Ceremony, at the Volksbühne Berlin 22:30 TEDDY After Show PARTY on 2 dancefloors with 3 DJs: 23:00 The queertastic TEDDY-After-Show-Show!
The TEDDY AWARD is a non-profit event and is financed exclusively by contributions from supporting members and patrons of Teddy e.V., donations from supporters, the commitment of many volunteers, sponsors and the income from the event.
