While there is certainly a network of gay film festivals around the globe, the Berlinale (in particular the Panorama section) is considered ground zero for programmers and distributors interested in films with a gay persuasion. The Festival not only proudly showcases the work but also is the only major A list festival to give out a specific award for gay cinema, the legendary Teddy Awards. The Teddys celebrate their 24th anniversary this year as the "gay Oscar".

Feature films and documentaries in all sections of the Berlinale are eligible. Among the leading contenders for top prize are AMPHETAMINE, an erotic tale of lust set in Hong Kong; A FLEXIBLE WOMAN directed by Tatjana Turansky screening in the Forum section; GENTLEMEN BRONCOS, an American indie gay coming-of-age tale by Jared Hess; HOWL, a biopic of gay poet Allen Ginsberg; JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY, a groundbreaking gay drama from India; LOOSE CANONS, a cross-generation drama set in Italy; PARADE, a lesbian story by Japanese director Isao Yukisada; PLEIN SUD, a French homerotic road movie by Sebastien Lifshitz; and SHADAH, a controversial drama about gay Moslems by German director Burhan Ourbani.

The Teddy Awards will be announced on Friday evening at the Station-Berlin, to be followed (natch) by the swingingest disco party on the planet.  For more information on the films up for awards this year, visit: www.teddayaward.tv

Sandy Mandelberger, Berlinale Dailies Editor