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.
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.
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 Princess, Night 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.
Today, six queer films will be shown for the first time at the 75th Berlinale! Soon, we also have a series of interviews for you that provide interesting background information on the making of the films.
INTERVIEWS:
Batim (Houses)
Sasha is non-binary and came to Israel from the Soviet Union as a child in the 1990s. Haunted by memories, they visit the houses they used to live in. A quiet meditation in black and white on what it means to feel at home in a house, a body, and in time.
To maximise economic productivity, the government orders the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies. Tereza, 77, refuses – and instead embarks on a journey through the Amazon that will change her destiny forever.
Being LGBT is criminalised in Muslim-majority Malaysia. Trans man Faris and his punk band still travel the country playing gigs and protesting on the streets. A documentary portrait of courageous people, humorous friendship and the spirit of punk.
In a village on the brink of flooding, Marko’s life is turned upside down when Slaven returns for his father’s funeral and rekindles their forbidden romance. Marko must confront his family and make a difficult choice.
Sasha is non-binary and came to Israel from the Soviet Union as a child in the 1990s. Haunted by memories, they visit the houses they used to live in. A quiet meditation in black and white on what it means to feel at home in a house, a body, and in time.
Directed by: Shatara Michelle Ford USA, Taiwan, Great Britain, 2024, 128′
Three Black queer femmes in their mid-thirties take a road trip across the American Midwest in search of their friend who has seemingly disappeared off the grid.
Directed by: Lucile Hadžihalilović Germany, France, 2025, 118′
Colder than ice, her kiss pierces the heart … The 1970s. Jeanne, a young runaway, falls under the spell of Cristina, the enigmatic star of The Snow Queen, a film which is being shot in the studio where Jeanne has taken refuge.
Directed by: Amalia Ulman USA, Argentina, 2025, 93′
An American film crew working for an edgy media company travels to Argentina to cover a musician who has the potential to go viral. When they realise they have landed in the wrong country, they decide to hire local people to fabricate a trend.
Directed by: Gabriel Mascaro Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Netherlands, 2025, 86′
To maximise economic productivity, the government orders the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies. Tereza, 77, refuses – and instead embarks on a journey through the Amazon that will change her destiny forever.
Directed by: Yihwen Chen Indonesia, Malaysia, 2025, 88′
Being LGBT is criminalised in Muslim-majority Malaysia. Trans man Faris and his punk band still travel the country playing gigs and protesting on the streets. A documentary portrait of courageous people, humorous friendship and the spirit of punk.
In a village on the brink of flooding, Marko’s life is turned upside down when Slaven returns for his father’s funeral and rekindles their forbidden romance. Marko must confront his family and make a difficult choice.
The stage is set for the stars of the queer cultural scene! This year, we can look forward to a spectacular show in which the drag queens, with their unique energy and stunning talent, will take over the stage: The entertainers from Große Freiheit 114 and the restaurant Das Hoven will guide you through a special night with singing, schnapps and other shenanigans.
Nikita Vegas and Kelly Heelton are known from Drag Race Germany. Nikita has been in the business for a long time in Berlin and hosts her monthly salon at Große Freiheit 114 – with an amazing voice and a lot of heart.
Kelly Heelton from Frankfurt am Main, also known from Drag Race Germany, has done many drag shows in the Main-Taunus district. In Berlin, she is currently performing at the Bar jeder Vernunft.
Destiny Drescher is a drag actress at the BKA Theater and shakes up every dance floor with her wit and great charisma.
Here’s to a wonderful TEDDY and an unforgettable night!
The third day of the Berlinale has arrived and brings with it a series of exciting TEDDY films. Seven films premiere today!
INTERVIEWS:
Le Rendez-vous de l’été (That Summer in Paris)
Paris, the 2024 Olympic Games. Blandine (30) arrives from Normandy to watch the swimming competitions. Disorientated by the hustle and bustle of the city where nothing seems to go her way, she navigates the chaos of Paris and an unexpected reunion.
A gay man impersonates men he has had sex with and brings this new persona with him to his next hook-up. Only by pretending to be someone else can he be truly himself.
Rosa von Praunheim is the satanic sow, incarnated by the wanton actor Armin Dallapiccola. A poetic compendium of life and death with pushy fans, the Good Lord, lovers and Rosa’s horrified mother.
Directed by: Léonor Serraille France, Belgium, 2025, 88′
Ari, a young teacher, quits his job and is thrown out of the house by his father. Lost and alone, he reconnects with old friends, triggering a journey of self-discovery.
Three Filipino siblings, all domestic workers in Italy, meet in the villa that one of the sisters has inherited. Shared memories and buried grievances come to the surface and put their fragile relationship to the test.
Paris, the 2024 Olympic Games. Blandine (30) arrives from Normandy to watch the swimming competitions. Disorientated by the hustle and bustle of the city where nothing seems to go her way, she navigates the chaos of Paris and an unexpected reunion.
Directed by: Jun Li USA, Hong Kong, China, 2025, 87′
A gay man impersonates men he has had sex with and brings this new persona with him to his next hook-up. Only by pretending to be someone else can he be truly himself.
Directed by: Rosa von Praunheim Germany, 2025, 85′
Rosa von Praunheim is the satanic sow, incarnated by the wanton actor Armin Dallapiccola. A poetic compendium of life and death with pushy fans, the Good Lord, lovers and Rosa’s horrified mother.
This spectacularly eccentric satire by Su Hui-yu draws on 1970s Taiwanese TV culture and has a roller-skating Hitler dance with Stalin and Mao do the same with Chiang Kai-shek. A revue show of dictators in cahoots with the entertainment industry.
Directed by: Antonio Giménez-Rico Spain, 1983, 99′
Documentary form about six trans women and their lives in 1980s Madrid. They speak frankly about their experiences as performers and prostitutes, facing marginalisation and the repressive laws that endured even after the end of the Franco era.
