The biggest Berlinale yet welcomed hundreds of international filmstars and directors to Berlin, with the likes of George Clooney and Ralph Fiennes wandering the city streets.
The opening ceremony, which featured Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" drew in a large crowd, who got their first glimpse of the line-up of famous faces who flocked to Berlin.
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Jeff Goldblum, it was a hit among reviewers and fans and received the Silver Bear grand jury prize.
But other famous names failed to win over the jury. George Clooney's large-scale drama "Monuments Men", shot in Berlin, was a flop amongst fans and critics alike.
CLICK HERE for 10 of the best moments of the Berlinale
The Berlinale festival also brought fresh faces into the limelight, such as Ellar Coltrane, star of Richard Linklater's "Boyhood", filmed over twelve years as the actor grew up.
It won the Texan Best Director. The festival was also an occasion to bid farewell to director Ken Loach, who received an honorary Golden Bear for his lifelong contribution to the industry.
The festival was not without controversy, as Lars von Trier's "Nymphomaniac Volume 1" caused a stir amongst film fans. Star of the film Shia La Beouf gave the film yet more media coverage by abruptly leaving a press conference and appearing on the red carpet with his face covered with a paper bag.
The Berlinale drew to a close over the weekend with the awards ceremony where the judges' pick of films was presented. This year's top award went to "Black Coal, Thin Ice" from Chinese director Diao Yinan, who has received international acclaim for his drama.
CLICK HERE for 10 of the best moments of the Berlinale
Frances Foley
Comments