Berlinale 2008

Abstract

58th BERLINALE 2008 Box Office BonanzaWill it ever end? During his seven years as Berlinale director, Dieter Kosslick's festival tenure is annually boosted by success at the box office. Following the close of the 58th Berlin International Film Festival (7-17 February 2008), bonanza statistics were promptly released to the press. The 58th Berlinale recorded an overall audience of 430,000, of which some 230,000 purchased tickets, thus exceeding last year's record by more than 6,000. The number of visiting film professionals (exhibitors, sales agents, industry representatives) increased to 20,000 from 125 countries, topping last year's total of 19,155. The number of accredited journalists rose to 4,105. The sum of public screenings also rose to 1,256, compared with 934 screenings in 2007. Only the number of films participating in this year's official programs dipped in comparison to last year - down from 396 to 383 - but even this adjustment...