Five films are set to make their world premieres at the 2016 Berlin Film Festival in the Competition section of the festival. Three additional films have been slotted to play the festival in the Berlinale Special section. The highest profile announcement likely is Midnight Special, new science fiction film from director Jeff Nichols (Mud, Take Shelter) was granted a competition slot- marking the world premiere for the title. The film- to be released next spring from Warner Bros.- was originally supposed to open theatrically this past November. The film stars Nichols regular Michael Shannon (currently a SAG Award and Golden Globe nominee for 99 Homes), Kirsten Dunst (Melancholia) and Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Force Awakens).
Also making its world premiere at Berlin will be Genius, an all-star period piece chronicling literary giant Thomas Wolfe and editor Max Perkins. The film stars Oscar winning actors Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) and Nicole Kidman (The Hours) and includes Jude Law (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Laura Linney (Mr. Holmes) and Dominic West (Pride). Other selections include the European Premiere of Michael Moore’s documentary Where to Invade Next, the world premiere of Zero Days, the latest documentary from Oscar winner Alex Gibney (Going Clear) and the appropriately titled Alone in Berlin, a new film starring Brendan Gleeson (Suffragette) and Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks).
It was previously announced that Hail, Caesar!, the latest comedy from the Coen Bros. will open the festival. Last years’ Berlinale line-up included an eclectic mix of titles including the critically acclaimed drama 45 Years, the Ian McKellen-headlined period drama Mr. Holmes and Kenneth Branagh’s live-action take on Cinderella. The 2016 Berlin Film Festival win run from February 11th-21st. Check out the list of titles selected below:
COMPETITION
Director: Denis Côté
Starring: James Hyndman, Simone-Elise Girard, Denis Lavant, Isolda Dychauk, Dounia Sichov
World Premiere
Genius– UK/USA
Director: Michael Grandage
Starring: Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Laura Linney, Guy Pearce, Dominic West
World Premiere – first feature
Alone In Berlin– Germany/France/UK
Director: Vincent Perez
Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Emma Thompson, Daniel Brühl, Mikael Persbrandt
World Premiere
Midnight Special– USA
Director: Jeff Nichols
Starring: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Jaedan Lieberher, Sam Shepard
World Premiere
Zero Days– USA
Director: Alex Gibney
World Premiere
BERLINALE SPECIAL
The Music Of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma And The Silk Road Ensemble– USA
Director: Morgan Neville
European Premiere
The Seasons In Quincy: Four Portraits Of John Berger– UK
Directors: Colin MacCabe, Christopher Roth, Bartek Dziadosz, Tilda Swinton
World Premiere
Where To Invade Next– USA
Director: Michael Moore
European Premiere
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