BIPoC Alliance x Berlinale
ACCESS UNLOCKED
DAY 1
@Cupra City Garage
Pitching for Impact: From Vision to Industry
16:00–18:00
BIPoC Only.
The event will be held in German | Veranstaltungssprache: Deutsch
Fully booked.
As part of a curated programme at Berlinale 2026, LUMI presents a high-level pitching masterclass focused on stories with cultural depth, urgency, and perspective.
Led by an industry expert, the session equips filmmakers with tools to learn how to pitch their stories in a compelling and effective way - stories that challenge dominant norms while remaining industry-ready for national and international markets.his practice-oriented masterclass introduces key strategies for professional pitching, project positioning, and navigating majority-white industry spaces.
Speakerinnen: Arpana Aischa Berndt, Raquel Kishori Dukpa
Live Podcast Recording: Aktivkohle x BIPoC Alliance
19:00–20:00
The event will be held in German | Veranstaltungssprache: Deutsch
Fully booked. Admission at the door may be possible if capacity allows.
Annabelle Mandeng is transferring one of the most respected Black discourse spaces into this years professional festival context, because her podcast show Aktivkohle will be recorded live with audience in collaboration with the BIPoC Alliance.
The show provides direct insight into BIPoC careers and opens heads inside and outside the BIPoC communities by showing the value that a culturally mixed society creates.
Our guest Thelma Buabeng is an actress, activist, comedienne, moderator and founder of BlackWomxnMatter – and one of the most compelling voices of her generation. Her work includes Berlin Alexanderplatz, Borga, Wunderschöner and her own ZDF series Die Polizistin. She merges artistic excellence with a strong social stance, speaking candidly about power, visibility and responsibility in film.
Afterglow & Networking
20:00–22:00
Admission with a ticket to the Live Podcast Recording and/or the Pitch for Impact Masterclass
Following the live podcast recording, Afterglow & Networking creates a dedicated space for connection, reflection, and relationship-building beyond the stage.
The session invites BIPoC filmmakers, creatives, industry professionals to continue conversations initiated during the program, fostering meaningful encounters across disciplines and hierarchies to encourage peer exchange and to support the long-term goal of building sustainable, self-determined connections within the film and cultural industries.
DAY 2
@Prince Charles
Panel: From Spark to Stream –Building and Selling Series that Redefine Global Storytelling
co-created with LPS
18:00-19:30
BIPoC Only.
The event will be held in English.
Fully booked. Admission at the door may be possible if capacity allows.
This panel traces the journey of a series from first idea to streamer deal, focusing on how underrepresented creators are reshaping both stories and industry pathways.
Speakers share practical insight into development, packaging, collaboration, and navigating commissioning systems, offering concrete tools for turning culturally specific visions into globally resonant projects. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to move projects from concept to greenlight.
Moderation by Lena Whooo
Guests:
Wero Rodowicz (Director, Creator & Creative Producer, Premium Series Development)
Elena Lyubarskaya (Writer & Creative Producer, Serial Eyes Graduate, Disney+ Series Pauline)
Lamin Leroy Gibba (Writer, Director & Actor, Creator of Schwarze Früchte, board member of Schwarze Filmschaffende e.V.)
Stefanie Ren (creator, showrunner, and writer of HOUSE OF YANG, premiering in this year’s Berlinale Special)
BIPoC Alliance Reception x Berlinale Connect – Invite-only
20:30–22:00
This curated networking reception brings community members together with international filmmakers, production companies, funders, and industry leaders.
Through guided networking, matching prompts, and short inputs, the format fosters intentional encounters that lead to sustainable collaborations.
There will be an Awareness Team present.
BIPoC Alliance Berlinale Party - ACCESS UNLOCKED: SILK & SWEAT
starting 21:30
Fully booked. Admission at the door may be possible if capacity allows.
The Alliance’s signature community party — loud, safe, inclusive, and community-driven. Rooted in the principles of Access, Intention, and Continuity, the party creates space for meaningful encounters, lasting relationships, and cultural celebration that extends well beyond the Berlinale.
There will be an Awareness Team present.
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