The 62nd Berlin International Film Festival opened in the German capital on Thursday evening with the country’s movie stars walking the red carpet in the Potsdamer Platz.

The opening will feature Benoit Jacquot’s historical drama Les Adieux De La Reine (Farewell, My Queen), one of the 18 films in competition for the festival's top prize, the Golden Bear. The movie's cast, including actress Diane Kruger who starred as Marie Antoinette, were among those to walk the red carpet.

The public program of the festival lists more than 300 films mostly international or European premieres. No Russian movies were put on this year’s list.

This year’s Golden Bear winner will be chosen by an eight-member jury led by British director Mike Leigh. The award ceremony will be held on February 18 in Berlinale Palace, the event’s main screening place.

The Berlin Film Festival was first held on June 6, 1951. Along with the Cannes and Venice film festivals, it is considered one of the world’s largest and most prestigious cinema events.

With around 300,000 sold tickets, more than 19,000 professional visitors from 115 countries and an annual budget of 19.5 million euro, Berlinale remains one of the most important dates for the international film industry.