Focus on contemporary filmmaking

Submitting your work to Berlin Commercial means entering an ongoing curatorial framework – actively reviewed by the curatorial team and jury, and featured across the platform with visibility that extends beyond the awards cycle through its lasting online presence, archive, and international network.

Participation in the Berlin Commercial Awards is open to projects across Music Videos, Personal Projects, and Commercial Work. As an independent platform, Berlin Commercial presents selected work to its curatorial team, jury, and wider professional network, connecting projects with key decision-makers across the industry.

Participation in the Berlin Commercial Awards follows a curated multi-stage selection process led by the curatorial team and international jury. All submitted work must hold the necessary rights and clearances, while selected projects benefit from ongoing promotion and visibility across the platform, festival, and wider professional network.

Submission deadlines, entry formats, and fees are structured in alignment with the festival calendar and broader industry schedules. Current pricing, phase timelines, emerging talent rates, and multiple-entry discounts are available through the website and entry system, where submission fees remain subject to increase throughout the awards cycle.

Berlin Commercial offers a range of special discounts and supported entry formats, including reduced rates for emerging talent, previous winners and shortlisted creatives, multiple-project submissions, and Cultural Impact entries – all detailed within the awards entry system.

Projects must be submitted according to the technical specifications outlined in the entry system. Submitted films may be updated until the final submission deadline before jury voting begins, after which all entries must be finalised and officially published to be considered for the festival program, screenings, jury presentation, and promotional activities.

All submissions entered by the final deadline progress through a structured multi-stage selection and jury process, moving through RAW Selection, Official Selection, Shortlist, and Winner stages. Designed to progressively refine the field through curatorial review, professional evaluation, and final jury voting, the process creates a focused framework for identifying and presenting outstanding work within an international context.

The selection process unfolds across four distinct levels:

RAW Selection — initial evaluation and early exposure
Official Selection — officially selected, but not yet nominated
Shortlist — official nomination stage
Awards — final jury decision

Only shortlisted projects enter jury voting and become eligible for awards.

As a platform for visual culture, Berlin Commercial recognises social engagement through its free-of-charge Cultural Impact categories, open to projects exploring themes such as gender equality, racial equality, or peace in times of war. Verified support of relevant social causes or humanitarian initiatives may also qualify for an additional category upgrade.

Berlin Commercial also offers free strategic guidance prior to submission, helping refine category selection and strengthen project positioning. Project links can be shared via email for curatorial feedback and submission advice.