As ever the Berlin Film Festival is offering viewers a window into stories from across the world -- but what to do when filmmakers face obstacles in working in the countries that their stories come from?

During the press conference, jury president Wim Wenders was asked about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He responded by saying cinema should “stay out of politics.” Another jury member called it “unfair” to expect them to take a position on the issue.

The 76th Berlin International Film Festival has commenced against a backdrop of global political instability, human rights violations, and mounting pressure on freedom of expression. The festival, which opened with a grand ceremony on Thursday evening, will run until February 22. Renowned German filmmaker Wim Wenders is serving as jury president this year.

"Dreams (Sex Love)", a tender coming-of-age drama about a young woman's first crush on a teacher and the art of writing by Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud, won the Golden Bear top prize at the 75th Berlin Film Festival yesterday evening.

The decision to give Swinton the Honourary Golden Bear prize was taken in recognition of her "breathtaking" range and status as "one of our modern filmmaking idols", Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle said in a statement.

"Touch Me Not", an experimental Romanian docudrama exploring sexual intimacy and the fears around it, wins the Golden Bear top prize at the Berlin Film Festival in a strong year for female filmmakers and women's stories.

The list of award winners from this year's Berlin Film Festival have been named, and the Italian documentary Fire at Sea (Fuocoammare) won the Golden Bear for best film.

The film “Taxi” by a dissident Iranian director has won the top prize at the 65th Berlin Film Festival.