Berlin, 8 February 2013 The attention of the film world is once again focused on Berlin: until 17 February, international stars, thousands of film fans, trade visitors, and movie makers flock to the capital for 63rd Berlin International Film Festival. About 120,000 visitors are expected at the Berlinale, including more than 19,000 industry professionals and about 4,000 journalists. Over 25,000 film tourists are expected to come to the festival from Germany and abroad.

visitBerlin CEO Burkhard Kieker says: "The film festival is one of the most important cultural attractions in Berlin and has a corresponding positive impact on tourism."

According to the IBB (Investment Bank Berlin) study, not only do visitors to the biggest public film festival in the world spend more than the typical Berlin guest, with a daily budget of €240 to €310, but they also stay ten times longer than the average visitor (€204 Euro; 2.3 days).

Berlin for film fans – new at visitBerlin.de

At visitBerlin.de you can find out everything you need to know about the film capital Berlin: information about the Berlinale, particular cinemas and filming locations, an overview of other film festivals, and tips for celeb-spotting. The Berlinale Blog will provide daily updates about films and stars.

Berlinale tickets available from Berlin Tourist Infos and the Berlin Service Center

Ten whole days of great cinema: this is the most important film festival in Europe after Cannes, offering around 400 films, from big international productions to experimental independent films and art house cinema. If you want to be there, you can order tickets straight from home: tickets are available from the Berlin Service Center by calling 0049 – (0)30 – 25 00 25. You can also get them from all Berlin Tourist Infos and Berlinale box offices (Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, Kino International, Haus der Berliner Festspiele, 10am – 8pm), as well as online at www.berlinale.de.

Sales always begin three days before a showing, four days beforehand for competition reruns. Advance ticket sales started on 4 February for screenings in Friedrichstadt-Palast and HAU, for Culinary Cinema, and for the "Berlinale goes Kiez" series. Tickets are also available for the Berlinale Cinema Day (17 February). On the day of the showing, tickets can only be bought at cinema box offices.

Berlin Service Center from visitBerlin: Tel. 0049 (0)30 – 25 00 25 (Mon. – Fri. a. – 7pm, Sat. 10am – 6pm, Sun. 10am – 2pm)

Berlin Tourist Infos: in Hauptbahnhof (every day 8am – 10pm), at the Neues Kranzler Eck, Kurfürstendamm 22 (Mon. to Sat.: 10am – 8pm), at the Brandenburg Gate (every day 10am to 6pm)

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