Berlinale 2026: 21. Forum Expanded – Unauthorized Versions

This year, selected works from the 21st Forum Expanded will once again be shown at the temporary Berlinale cinema in our Betonhalle as part of the 76th Berlinale 2026.

Gaps and omissions, counter-narratives and revisions: many of the film works selected for the 21stForum Expanded focus on the ways in which individuals and states write their histories. Against the backdrop of current political developments across the world, increasing uncertainty and ongoing wars, the question of who is granted the authority to make historical assessments and designations is explored, as is the possibility of other perspectives. The installations, films, videos and performances from 31 countries thus bring fissures and ruptures to light, pointing to things seemingly forgotten whose presence remains palpable despite all the attempts made to deny them. Their often personal approaches open up spaces for self-reflection and remembrance. 

In addition to numerous films, 7 installations and 2 performances will be presented. In the group exhibition, Riar Rizaldi’s installation Fanfictie: Volcanology explores the points of friction between Western colonial science and local knowledge production in Indonesia. The convergence of scientific research and colonialism is also addressed in Butterfly Stories: Malaise II by Laurence Favre. Using layered and superimposed slide projections of collaged butterfly species, the artist creates a walk-in space of shimmering, floating images that resist strict categorization. With Land Invaders by Cassandra Gardiner and Juan Mateo Menendez, a video game is presented in the exhibition for the first time. Inspired by the arcade classic Space Invaders, players must prevent Christopher Columbus from reaching the shores of Turtle Island with his ships.

Butterfly Stories: Malaise II – Laurence Favre
Casting for a Film, Ihsan’s Diary – Lamia Joreige
Fanfictie: Volcanology – Riar Rizaldi
Industries of Denial, Stage 10: From Musa Dagh to Port Saïd – Angela Melitopoulos, Kerstin Schroedinger
Land Invaders – Cassandra Gardiner, Juan Mateo Menendez
The Sun That Fell into the Water – Lena Kocutar
We Deh Here – Maybelle Peters

Berlinale 2026: 21. Forum Expanded – Unauthorized Versions
Friday, February 13 – Sunday, February 22
Betonhalle
Installations: Admission free
Tickets Film Programme & Performances via the Berlinale Website