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British Shorts & More
One of the great things about summer in Berlin is spending time outside. After all, we are blessed with amazing lakes, forests and parks in our home city, as well as brilliant beer gardens and the terraces of our favourite bars and cafes to spend a lazy afternoon in the open air. And as the night falls and the stars come out overhead, projectors whirr into action at one of the many open-air cinemas in the city.
In our special guide to open-cinemas in Berlin we have picked some of our favourite places for outdoor movie viewing in the city, and give a shout-out to British Shorts Summer edition, a great festival that can be enjoyed beneath the night sky.
BRITISH SHORTS SUMMER EDITION
Every year the British Shorts Film Festival brings the best of short films from the United Kingdom to Berlin’s cinemas. It takes place in January, and is a distinct bright spot in the depths of the Berlin winter. In August, it is time for the British Shorts Summer Edition, with three selected programmes from the 2024 edition of the festival featuring films of all genres, including comedy and drama, animation and experimental, music videos and documentaries.
Two of the events are open-air, at the Freiluftkino Kino Insel in den Atelier Gardens (2nd August) and at the Freiluftkino Friedrichshain (3rd August). Check out the British Shorts website for the progamme and tickets. And if you are not in town for the festival, read on for some more of our favourite places to catch cinema in the open air…
A NOTE ON LANGUAGE
If you are looking at the programme of any cinema in Berlin, including open-air cinemas, you need to remember that sometimes English-language films are shown dubbed into German. Which is no fun for anyone. What you are looking for in the listings are the letters OV (Original version) or OmU (Original with subtitles)…
FREILUFTKINO FRIEDRICHSHAIN
Host of one of the British Shorts events, Freiluftkino Friedrichshain is one of Berlin’s most beloved open-air cinemas and just a tram ride from The Circus. Surrounded by trees in the heart of the park, the programme mixes Hollywood blockbusters to indie gems and local films. This is often a great place to watch an old favourite in the open air: in 2024, the programme includes The Big Lebowski, Paris Texas and Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, as well as more recent releases.
FREILUFTKINO REHBERGE
Head north from The Circus to the district of Wedding, where you’ll find the Freiluftkino Rehberge in the scenic park of the same name, a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. This cinema is known for its eclectic selection of films, including classics, cult favourites, and contemporary hits. The natural amphitheatre setting provides excellent acoustics and a cosy ambiance… although you might want to bring a blanket if the weather is a bit nippy! One highlight of the programme each summer is the International Ocean Film Tour, with its collection of ocean adventures and watersports films.
FREILUFTKINO KREUZBERG
Freiluftkino Kreuzberg is at the heart of Berlin’s alternative cultural scene. Set in the heart of the buzzing Kreuzberg neighbourhood, this cinema is famous for its avant-garde programming and community vibe. It screens a mix of international films, documentaries, and local productions, often with English subtitles. The intimate courtyard setting, adorned with fairy lights and eclectic decor, adds to its unique charm. The programme this year includes a number of German films with English subtitles including the legendary Wings of Desire.
MOBILE KINO
The clue is in the name, with the Mobile Kino being Berlin’s travelling cinema, often showing up at festivals and other locations around the city. For 2024 they are also part of Fimmel, a new open-air venue outside the Berliner Berg brewery and from 16 July Mobile Kino are taking over the screen. The programme includes short film nights from the Sundance and Cannes film festivals, cult classics and some more modern blockbusters, with all films shown in the original language with subtitles.