The Berlinale has announced details for its 2026 sidebar sections, introducing an expanded focus on television and episodic content at the European Film Market. The festival will also feature a robust Forum and Forum Expanded programme, emphasizing political, documentary, and experimental works. The Berlinale Series Market, a dedicated platform for serial content, will take place from February 15 to 18, showcasing a diverse array of productions.
Among the highlights, the 12th edition of the market will present 17 scripted series and three docuseries. These productions span various genres and geographical regions, including the Brazilian drama Emergency 53, which portrays the challenges faced by a mobile emergency service unit. Another notable entry is The Marquise, an Iberian period romance centered on themes of love, art, and revolution in 18th century Europe. The Bosnian mystery series Kovar will also be featured, telling the story of a busload of travelers who disappear in the Komar mountains.
Morocco has been named the Country in Focus for the 2026 European Film Market and will showcase upcoming Moroccan series projects, along with insights into the country’s cash rebate system. This emphasis on television aligns with the festival’s new approach within the Official Selection. All episodic titles will now be presented under the Berlinale Special Series, featuring six new series in 2026.
The festival will also host an “Up Next: Germany” showcase, highlighting emerging German projects. Among them are the sci-fi series The Dark Ones, which revolves around an alien invasion, and 4 Blocks Zero, a prequel to the acclaimed Berlin-set gangster drama 4 Blocks. Additionally, the docuseries Clangold will explore the notorious heist of a massive gold coin from Berlin’s Bode Museum in 2017.
The Berlinale Co-Production Market’s Co-Pro Series strand will present ten international projects seeking co-production partners and funding. Noteworthy entries include the Spanish heist series Robbery, Beating and Death, the Dutch true-story project Jomanda!, Romania’s post-World War I drama Angelmaker, and Hedgehogs in the Haze, directed by Danis Tanović from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Beyond television, the Forum section has revealed its 2026 selection, featuring debut features from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, China, India, Japan, and Germany. The programme includes politically engaged fiction and extensive documentary works that address critical issues like colonial history, war, racism, and social change. Among the long-form documentary projects is Black Lions — Roman Wolves by Haile Gerima, which runs nearly ten hours.
The selection will also feature Asian horror films, including AnyMart from Japan and Ghost in the Cell, an Indonesian horror-comedy by Joko Anwar. Additionally, the Belgian art project Joy Boy: A Tribute To Julius Eastman will pay homage to the influential African American composer through the work of a transnational artist collective.
The full lineup for the Berlin Film Festival will be announced on January 20, 2026, promising an exciting array of films and series that reflect the evolving landscape of cinema and television.
