The Berlin International Film Festival is marking its 75th anniversary by ditching the Bear.
In a break from tradition, the poster for the 2025 Berlinale will not feature Berlin’s cuddly mascot, the black bear. Over the years, Berlin has featured bears in various forms on its posters: Live bears photoshopped into iconic Berlin locations, locals dressed up in bear costumes, and multiple graphic depictions of the beloved beast.
But the official poster for 2025, unveiled Thursday, is bear-less, instead featuring an abstract design whose geometric shapes, bold colors, and minimalism echo the Bauhaus movement.
For the first time, the poster, created by Berlin graphic designer Claudia Schramke, is also available as an animated key visual, which the Berlinale will use across all its digital channels (see below). The animated version includes a TV-style countdown, which the festival said placed it “at the center of a glowing visual interpretation of the theme of “time,” a modern, lively remix of the historical cinema feeling and an emotional anniversary countdown form the beating heart of the upcoming Berlinale.”
Ursine fans will not be pleased. But there is a precedent for this anti-bear behavior. For its 65th anniversary, the festival also opted to go for a more abstract image, one resembling a shimmering cinema curtain.
The posters and the key visual will be plastered across the German capital from late January. Tom Tykwer’s new film, Das Licht (The Light) will kick off the 2025 Berlinale on Feb. 13. The 75th Berlinale runs Feb. 13-23.
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