Wednesday, 4 February--------

With the global economy reeling and the film industry in a state of disarray, all eyes are turning to the Berlin International Film Festival, which opens tomorrow, to check the pulse of the international film industry. There is no question that these are challenging times for both film sellers and film buyers. With credit tight and films underperforming at the theatrical box office due to less discretionary income, the international distribution community is braced for another sobering market. The Festival’s parallel European Film Market, which has only been expanding since its move to the spacious Martin Gropius Bau, is chock-a-block full with exhibitors, industry screenings and other events. But whether any international titles will break through or whether the international co-production market, which has been strangled by a lack of credit and the closing of some major international players, will remain moribund remains to be seen. But in the interim, Berlin will continue its hallowed tradition of showcasing quality international arthouse cinema. Over 3000 industry professionals, including film sellers, film buyers, distributors, financiers, programmers and international press, have descended on the wintry German capital hoping against hope for a ray of sunshine amidst the doom and gloom of the world economic slump. Log on to this special Berlin blog site to sample all the excitement of the next 10 days. Sandy Mandelberger, Berlinale Dailies Editor