Tom Tykwer, the director of “Run Lola Run,” “Cloud Atlas” and “A Hologram for the King,” has been chosen to preside over the jury of the 2018 Berlin Film Festival.
The 52-year-old Tykwer has had six of his films screen at previous Berlinales. He is also the director of the ambitious new German TV series “Babylon Berlin,” one of the most expensive dramas to be made in Europe.
“Tom Tykwer is one of the highest-profile German directors and has established himself on the international stage as a great filmmaker. His outstanding talent and innovative trademark have been on display in a variety of film genres,” said Dieter Kosslick, the festival director.
“The Berlinale has always been my favorite and my home film festival, and has supported me since I began working as a filmmaker,” Tykwer added. “We have a fantastic and broad history with each other. Now I can look forward to two focused and fun weeks of films with the jury.”
Tykwer’s international breakthrough came with 1998’s “Run Lola Run.” Two of his movies have gone on to open the Berlin Film Festival: “Heaven,” in 2002, and “The International,” in 2009.
In addition to directing and producing, Tykwer also composes the music for his projects, including “Cloud Atlas” and “Babylon Berlin.” The latter work debuted on pay-TV platform Sky Deutschland last month and has earned strong ratings.
As jury president of the next Berlinale, Tykwer follows in the footsteps of Meryl Streep, Wong Kar Wai, Mike Leigh, Isabella Rossellini, Werner Herzog and Paul Verhoeven, among others.
The 68th Berlin Film Festival runs from Feb. 15 to 25, 2018.
