The 60th Berlinale: Films by Martin Scorsese and Roman Polanski to celebrate world premieres in the Competition programme

The first seven titles for the Competition of the 60th Berlin International Film Festival have been confirmed. The films selected so far are from Austria , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Croatia , France , Germany , India , Iran , Turkey , the UK and the USA .

This first group of films selected for the Competition is characterized by up-and-coming young directors, stars and masters of filmmaking like Martin Scorsese and Roman Polanski.

“The Competition of the 60th anniversary Berlinale will be marked by a mix of styles and genres, by exciting newcomers and renowned directors,” says Festival Director Dieter Kosslick.

The following films have been confirmed for the Competition programme so far:

Bal (Honey) Turkey / Germany
by Semih Kaplanoglu (Süt/Milk, Yumurta/Egg, Melegin Düsüsü/Angel’s Fall)
with Bora Altas, Erdal Besikcioglu, Tülin Özen, Alev Ucarer, Ayse Altay
World premiere

Der Räuber (The Robber) Austria / Germany

by Benjamin Heisenberg (Sleeper, Max-Ophuels-Preis 2006)

with Andreas Lust, Franziska Weisz

World premiere

My Name Is Khan India

by Karan Johar

with Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol

Out of competition

Na Putu (On the Path) Bosnia and Herzegovina / Austria / Germany / Croatia

by Jasmila Žbanić (Grbavica, Golden Bear 2006)

with Zrinka Cvitešić (Shooting Star 2010), Leon Lucev, Ermin Bravo, Mirjana Karanović

World premiere

Shekarchi (The Hunter) Germany / Iran

by Rafi Pitts (Zemestan - It's Winter)

with Rafi Pitts, Mitra Hajjar, Ali Nicksaulat, Hassan Ghalenoi

World premiere

Shutter Island USA

by Martin Scorsese (The Departed, Aviator, Cape Fear)

with Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Sir Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Max von Sydow
World premiere / Out of competition

The Ghost Writer France / Germany / UK

by Roman Polanski (The Pianist, Oscar 2002, China Town, Cul-de-sac, Golden Bear 1966)

with Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams

World premiere

A total of 26 films will be selected for the Competition section of the 60th Berlin International Film Festival. Further Competition title confirmations will be announced in January 2010.