The 11th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 23 June to 4 July 1961. The Golden Bear was awarded to the Italian film La notte directed by Michelangelo Antonioni.
The following people were announced as being on the jury for the festival:
James Quinn (Head of Jury)
France Roche
Marc Turfkruyer
Satyajit Ray
Gian Luigi Rondi
Hirosugu Ozaki
Nicholas Ray
Falk Harnack
Hans Schaarwächter
The following films were in competition for the Golden Bear award:
The following prizes were awarded by the Jury:
Golden Bear: La notte by Michelangelo Antonioni
Silver Bear for Best Director: Bernhard Wicki for Das Wunder des Malachias
Silver Bear for Best Actress: Anna Karina for Une femme est une femme
Silver Bear for Best Actor: Peter Finch for No Love for Johnnie
Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize: Mabu by Dae-jin Kang
Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize: Une femme est une femme by Jean-Luc Godard
Silver Bear: Makkers Staakt uw Wild Geraas by Fons Rademakers
Youth Film Award
Best Short Film Suitable for Young People: De lage landen by George Sluizer
Best Documentary Film Suitable for Young People: Description d'un combat by Chris Marker
Best Feature Film Suitable for Young People: Question 7 by Stuart Rosenberg
Youth Film Award - Honorable Mention
Best Short Film Suitable for Young People: Gesicht von der Stange? by Raimund Ruehl
FIPRESCI Award
La notte by Michelangelo Antonioni
OCIC Award
Question 7 by Stuart Rosenberg
C.I.D.A.L.C. Award
La patota by Daniel Tinayre
