{"id":230277,"date":"2026-02-10T16:34:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T15:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iffr.com\/en\/?p=230277"},"modified":"2026-02-10T18:31:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T17:31:03","slug":"blog-berlinale-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iffr.com\/en\/blog-berlinale-2026","title":{"rendered":"Shahrbanoo Sadat’s No Good Men opens Berlinale 2026 among strong HBF and CineMart lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the dust still settling on IFFR 2026, attention now turns to the Berlinale, which opens with the world premiere of Shahrbanoo Sadat’s No Good Men<\/strong>, one of several films and projects across the programme supported by the Hubert Bals Fund and CineMart.<\/p>\n\n\n

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No Good Men<\/strong> by Shahrbanoo Sadat (Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Afghanistan) \u2013<\/strong> HBF Development, CineMart Selection 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Berlinale 2026 opens with the world premiere of the HBF and CineMart-supported No Good Men<\/strong> by award-winning Afghan filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat. Sadat continues her vital work spotlighting Afghan women\u2019s lives following her Displacement Film Fund-supported project Super Afghan Gym<\/strong>, which had its world premiere at IFFR 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Naru, the only camerawoman at Kabul TV, is convinced there are no good men in Afghanistan. But when a reporter takes her on an assignment just before the Taliban’s return, sparks fly between them \u2013<\/strong> and she begins to question this belief.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panorama<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Narciso<\/strong> by Marcelo Martinessi (Paraguay, Germany, Uruguay, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, France) \u2013<\/strong> HBF Development<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Set in Paraguay during a time of political tension, Narciso<\/strong> follows a charismatic musician who becomes a symbol of freedom. The project was supported by the HBF Development scheme in 2020 and is a co-production between Paraguay, Germany, Uruguay, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, and France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Paraguay, 1959. The charismatic Narciso returns from Buenos Aires with rock ‘n’ roll in his veins. Under the suffocating military dictatorship, he becomes a music sensation and a symbol of freedom while the regime consolidates its power.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Film still: Narciso<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Only Rebels Win<\/strong> by Danielle Arbid (France, Lebanon, Qatar) \u2013<\/strong> HBF+Europe: Minority Co-production Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starring Palestinian actress Hiam Abbas (who was at IFFR 2026 for a Big Talk and to present Palestine 36<\/strong>, The Arab<\/strong>, IFFR 2026), Only Rebels Win<\/strong> is an unexpected love story supported by HBF+Europe: Minority Co-production Support in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Suzanne and Osmane meet in crisis-ridden Beirut. Osmane is a young Sudanese man without papers, searching for a better future; Suzanne is a widow with Palestinian roots more than twice his age. Against all odds, they fall in love.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Film still: Only Rebels Win<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Se eu fosse vivo\u2026 vivia (If I Were Alive)<\/strong> by Andr\u00e9 Novais Oliveira (Brazil) \u2013<\/strong> HBF Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brazilian filmmaker Andr\u00e9 Novais Oliveira presents the story of a charismatic and gentle couple whose shared life is shaped by time, love, and uncertainty. The project was supported by the HBF development scheme in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Gilberto and Jacira promised to grow old together \u2013<\/strong> for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Till death them do part.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Film still: Se eu fosse vivo\u2026 vivia<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Perspectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nosso segredo<\/strong> by Grace Pass\u00f4 (Brazil, Portugal) \u2013<\/strong> HBF Development, CineMart Selection 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nosso segredo<\/strong> is the feature debut of Grace Pass\u00f4, after a distinguished career acting in film and theatre. The film is the story of a Black Brazilian family in the city of Belo Horizonte trying to rebuild their home after a recent loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A family drifts through their home in silence, struggling to rebuild their lives after a recent loss. Each mourns alone, until the youngest child reveals a secret that enables them to realise that they must come together with love and courage to defy grief.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Film still: Nosso segredo<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Forum Expanded<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Uchronia <\/strong>by Fil Ieropoulos (Greece, Netherlands) \u2013<\/strong> Darkroom Official Selection 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fil Ieropoulos\u2019s (Avant-Drag!<\/strong> IFFR 2024) hybrid feature Uchronia<\/strong> invokes the wild and restless spirit of symbolist poet Arthur Rimbaud, was selected for Darkroom at IFFR 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Arthur Rimbaud’s ghost wanders through history, meeting revolutionary figures such as Emma Goldman, David Wojnarowicz and Marsha P. Johnson. A layered collage of encounters questioning identity, revolution and the role of the artistic avant-garde.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Film still: Uchronia<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Generation 14plus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Quatro Meninas<\/strong> by Karen Suzane (Brazil, Netherlands)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A tale of freedom, identity, and desire that challenges established social structures, set in colonial Brazil. A Brazilian\u2013Dutch co-production, the project was supported by the HBF Development scheme in 2021 and later received HBF+Europe: Minority Co-production Support in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Four enslaved girls dream of freedom. When a turn of events puts their lives at risk, they decide to run away. Their mistresses discover the plan – and to the girls’ surprise insist on going with them.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Film still: Quatro Meninas<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Co-production market selections<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Two additional feature film projects continue their trajectory from CineMart 2026 to the Berlinale Co-Production Market as part of the Rotterdam\u2013Berlinale Express. Beirut Baby<\/strong> by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreigeand The Dispute<\/strong> by Andrea Ellsworth and Kasey Elise Walker and\u00a0 produced by Riley Keough\u2019s US-based production company Felix Culpa.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Concept still: The Dispute<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\t
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A list with articles<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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