The 54th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 5–15 February 2004. The festival opened with out of competition film Cold Mountain by Anthony Minghella. 25 Degrees in Winter by Stéphane Vuillet served as the closing film. The Golden Bear was awarded to German-Turkish film Head-On directed by Fatih Akın.
The retrospective dedicated to films from 1967 to 1976 titled New Hollywood 1967-1976. Trouble in Wonderland was shown at the festival. It focuses on the films from the period known as New Hollywood or American New Wave, and attended by some of the film-makers and actors of that era including Peter Davis, Peter Fonda, William Greaves, Monte Hellman and Melvin Van Peebles.
The following people were announced as being on the jury for the festival:
Frances McDormand - (Head of jury)Maji-da AbdiValeria Bruni TedeschiSamira MakhmalbafPeter RommelGabriele SalvatoresDan TalbotChristine Dollhofer - Short filmsSophie Maintigneux - Short filmsVinca Wiedemann - Short filmsThe following films were in competition for the Golden Bear and Silver Bear awards:
The following short films were selected:
The following prizes were awarded by the Jury:
Golden BearHead-On: Fatih AkınSilver BearBest Film Music - First Love: Banda OsirisBest Actor - Lost Embrace: Daniel HendlerBest Actress - Maria Full of Grace: Catalina Sandino Moreno and Monster: Charlize TheronBest Director - Samaritan Girl: Kim Ki-dukBest Short Film - Great!: Karin Junger, Brigit HilleniusOutstanding Artistic Achievement - Daybreak: Leif Andrée, Pernilla August, Jan Coster, Jakob Eklund, Ingvar Hirdwall, Magnus Krepper, Johan Kvarnström, Camilla Larsson, Marika Lindström, Peter Lorentzon, Hampus Penttinen, Ann Petrén, Marie Richardson, Jenny Svärdsäter, Claes-Göran TuressonJury Grand PrixLost Embrace: Daniel BurmanSilver Bear - Honorable MentionBest Short Film - Public/Private: Christoph BehlHonorary Golden BearFernando E. SolanasBerlinale CameraWilly SommerfeldRegina ZieglerErika RabauRolf BährBest Short FilmCigarettes and Coffee: Cristi PuiuPanorama Audience AwardBest Feature Film - Addicted to Acting: Andres VeielBest Short Film - Passing Hearts: Johan BrisingerCrystal BearBest Short Film - Nuit d'orage: Michèle LemieuxBest Feature Film - Magnifico: Maryo J. De Los Reyes14plus: Best Feature Film - The Wooden Camera: Ntshaveni Wa LuruliCrystal Bear - Special MentionBest Short Film - Circuit marine: Isabelle Favez and Maree: James PelleritoBest Feature Film- The Blind Flyers: Bernd Sahling and Raining Cats and Frogs: Jacques-Rémy Girerd14plus: Best Feature Film - Quality of Life: Benjamin MorganFIPRESCI AwardHead-On: Fatih Akın