Jeff Nichols’ ‘Midnight Special’ Leads 2016 Berlin International Film Festival Competition Lineup

The 2016 Berlin International Film Festival has announced the first eight titles that will play in its Competition and Berlinale Special programs. As previously announced at the start of the month, the Coen Brothers’ star-studded comedy “Hail, Caesar!” will open the festival on February 11.

Five productions from Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom and the U.S. are the first additions to the Competition program, which finds the world premiere of Jeff Nichols’ “Midnight Special” facing off against an intriguing new Alex Gibney documentary and the anticipated filmmaking debut of acclaimed stage director Michael Grandage. The Berlinale Special section, meanwhile, features current works by contemporary filmmakers, documentaries and unique formats. Three productions have been invited, including Michael Moore’s “Where to Invade Next.”

The full lineups for each section are below. More information regarding program selections will be announced in the coming weeks.

Competition

“Boris sans Béatrice (Boris without Béatrice)”

Canada

By Denis Côté (“Vic+Flo Saw a Bear”)

With James Hyndman, Simone-Elise Girard, Denis Lavant, Isolda Dychauk, Dounia Sichov

World Premiere

“Genius”

United Kingdom / USA

By Michael Grandage

With Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Laura Linney, Guy Pearce, Dominic West

World Premiere – first feature

“Jeder stirbt für sich allein (Alone in Berlin)”

Germany / France / United Kingdom

By Vincent Perez (The Secret)

With Brendan Gleeson, Emma Thompson, Daniel Brühl, Mikael Persbrandt

World Premiere

“Midnight Special”

USA

By Jeff Nichols (“Mud,” “Take Shelter”)

With Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Jaedan Lieberher, Sam Shepard

World Premiere

“Zero Days”

USA

By Alex Gibney (“Taxi to the Dark Side”)

World Premiere

Berlinale Special

“The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble”

USA

By Morgan Neville (“Twenty Feet from Stardom”)

European Premiere

“The Seasons in Quincy: Four Portraits of John Berger”

United Kingdom

By Colin MacCabe, Christopher Roth, Bartek Dziadosz, Tilda Swinton

World Premiere

“Where To Invade Next”

USA

By Michael Moore (“Fahrenheit 9/11,” “Bowling for Columbine”)

European Premiere

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Jeff Nichols’ ‘Midnight Special’ Leads 2016 Berlin International Film Festival Competition Lineup

Jeff Nichols' 'Midnight Special' Leads 2016 Berlin International Film Festival Competition Lineup