At the Berlinale film festival, 18 films compete for the top award, the Golden Bear. Here's the top-notch jury, headed by Hollywood star Meryl Streep, who's faced with the tough decision.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Berlinale
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The Berlinale jury behind Meryl Streep
The Berlinale jury, headed by Meryl Streep, selects the Golden and Silver Bear winners. Who's on board this year?
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The prize-winning prize giver
Praised as one of the most talented actors of our time, Meryl Streep has been crowned with numerous awards for her ability to win over audiences in a diverse range of roles. She's received three Oscars and has been nominated for the highly coveted award a record 19 times. This year, she's debuting in her role as jury president at the 2016 Berlinale.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/T. Brakemeier
From the stage to the big screen
The Berlinale jury is comprised of big names from the international film scene, but always includes at least one German representative. This year, actor Lars Eidinger has the honor. After celebrating great success in the theater, his film breakthrough came at the Berlinale in 2009, when he impressed the jury with his performance in Maren Ade's "Alle Anderen" in the role of a very modern man.
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The anti-diva
Since her debut in 2004, Alba Rohrwacher has worked with numerous big-name directors and received a pile of accolades. The timid, pale actress is now one of the biggest names in Italy's film industry. At the 2009 Berlinale, she was honored as a "European Shooting Star." Last year she starred with Lars Eidinger in the in-competition film, "Vergine giurata."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/E. Ferrari
Man of many talents
Nick James has several passions: film, literature and art. He's also been a singer in a rock band, but that was prior to his impressive career as an author, film critic and curator. James has had his work published across the British press and media, and is editor of the film magazine "Sight & Sound." Since 2012, he's curated the film series "Deep Focus" at the British Film Institute.
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The photographer
Dustin Hoffman discovered French photographer Brigitte Lacombe at the Cannes Film Festival in 1975 and invited her to the set of the Watergate film, "All the President's Men." Since then, the actress, who lives in New York, has had one job after the next. She is known for photographing the most prestigious Hollywood sets and has made a name for herself with her intimate portraits of movie stars.
Image: picture alliance/Eventpress Schulz
The flexible actor
Seven years ago, "The International," a film by Tom Tykwer featuring Clive Owen, opened the Berlinale. Owen wasn't yet an international star at that point, but has always been good for a surprise. The British actor enjoys having variety in his roles, and regularly shifts between TV series, small art-house productions and big mainstream films.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/C. Onorati
The successful director
Malgorzata Szumowska managed to start at the very top. With her debut debut, "Szczęśliwy człowiek" (Happy man), the Polish director got nominated for the European Film Award in 2001. Since then, her work has been celebrated at international film festivals. Her latest movie, "Body," received more awards in 2015 than any other Polish film.
Image: Berlinale 2015/R. Hübner
'And the Golden Bear goes to...'
There are 18 films competing for the Golden Bear awards during the 10-day festival. The very diverse jury will be deliberating behind closed doors, so we can only speculate on their opinions. The results will be revealed during the awards ceremony to be held on February 20.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Berlinale
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Three-time Oscar-winner Meryl Streep is heading up the 2016 Berlinale jury, which includes six other international members. She's been a regular guest at the Berlin film festival for a number of years, and won a honorary Golden Bear for her life's work in 2012. In this short video, DW takes a look at what makes the Hollywood star so unique.
