The International Jury considers only films in the Competition section and awards the festival's main prizes: 

- the Golden Bear for the best film, 

- a Silver Bear as a Jury Grand Prix,  

- further Silver Bears in the categories "Best Director", "Best Actress", "Best Actor", "for an outstanding artistic contribution", and for "Best film Music", 

- as well as the Alfred Bauer Prize to a work which "takes the art of film in a new direction".

The Bears inspired the Berlinale logo and were designed by the Berlin sculptor Renée Sintenis (1888-1965). They have been produced by the Noack Foundry in Berlin since the beginnings of the Berlinale. The bear is also the official symbol of the city of Berlin.

The jury is made up of at least seven members who are selected by the festival director. These members are a mixture of famous film professionals: directors, actors and producers, as well as representatives of other festivals and the film industry. Members of the jury are selected on the proviso that they are in no way involved in the production or distribution of any film in the Competition section.

 

Press and public pay a lot of attention to who is selected on the jury, as this is proof of the festival's high profile. Selection as an International Jury member at the Berlinale is a tribute to the outstanding work of an individual. But the honour is also mutual: jury members show great respect to the festival by contributing their knowledge and creativity.

 

The International Jury meets to talk about the films a number of times during the festival. In a final meeting all films are discussed and the winners are chosen. The jury makes its decision completely independently, the meetings are confidential and the contents of its discussions are not divulged. The president of the jury chairs the meetings and is able to cast two votes in every debate. A member of the festival staff is always present in order to ensure that the rules are kept.

 

The last day of the festival is tense with excitement as everyone waits to find out what the jury's decision is. Every visitor has, of course, a favourite film and as the festival draws to a close, the debate heats up over who is going to win the Bears.

 

All International Jury members and the award decisions of all festival years are listed in the archive .