The 75th Berlin International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet today for the opening film and the world premiere of Das Licht (The Light), directed by Tom Tykwer and starring Lars Eidinger, Nicolette Krebitz, and Michael Ihnow at the Berlinale Palast.

The Berlin Film Festival's opening feature, dysfunctional family drama "The Light," sends the unequivocal message that migrants are welcome, said star Lars Eidinger, ahead of German elections characterised by debate over tougher migration rules.

The Berlin International Film Festival kicks off on February 13 with a new Tom Tykwer drama, a tribute to Tilda Swinton, as well as Timothee Chalamet among many other red carpet stars.

The Berlin film festival kicked off its 75th anniversary event in style Thursday night, with the German and international film industry giving a warm welcome of a very cold and snowy night to new Berlinale director Trica Tuttle.

The Berlin Film Festival, born out of post-war Germany's desire to engage with the world, opens its 75th edition on Thursday.

German director Tom Tykwer said Thursday that his latest movie about a Syrian immigrant aimed to encourage people to stop "isolating" themselves, as it opened Berlin's international film festival.

Organisers of the Berlin Film Festival hope that politics will not eclipse the movies this time round even as they try to liven up an event that has looked jaded in recent years.