The 6th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 22 June to 3 July 1956. The FIAPF granted the festival the "A status" during this year, which was previously only reserved for Cannes and Venice. The awards for the first time, were given by an international jury.
The Golden Bear was awarded to Invitation to the Dance directed by Gene Kelly. However, this decision by the jury was widely criticized as the film was considered "too shallow" for a Golden Bear. The favourite among many critics was the Finnish entry The Unknown Soldier by Edvin Laine, which was an anti-war film without any illusions based on a novel by Väinö Linna.
Juries The following people were announced as being on the jury for the festival:
Main Competition Marcel Carné, French filmmaker - Jury President Bill Luckwell, British producer Giuseppe Vittorio Sampieri, Italian director and producer Kashiko Kawakita, Japanese special effects director Leo J. Horster, American entrepreneur Ilse Urbach, West-German author Ludwig Berger, West-German filmmaker
Documentary and Short Film Competitions Otto Sonnenfeld, Israeli producer - Jury President D. Gualberto Fernández, Uruguayan Sarukkai Gopalan, Indian Jan Hulsker, Dutch art historian Fritz Kempe, West-German photographer
Official Sections
Main Competition The following films were in competition for the Golden Bear awards: English title Original title Director(s) Production CountryAutumn Leaves Robert AldrichUnited StatesBefore SundownVor SonnenuntergangGottfried ReinhardtWest Germany DonatellaMario MonicelliItalyInvitation to the DanceGene KellyUnited StatesKispusErik BallingDenmarkThe Legend of the White Serpent白夫人の妖恋Shirō ToyodaJapanThe Long Arm Charles FrendUnited Kingdom Richard IIILaurence OlivierThe Road of LifeEl camino de la vidaAlfonso Corona BlakeMexicoScandal in SorrentoPane, amore e... Dino RisiItalyThe SorceressLa Sorcière André MichelFrance, SwedenTrapezeCarol ReedUnited StatesUncle HyacynthMi tío JacintoLadislao VajdaSpain, ItalyThe Unknown SoldierTuntematon sotilasEdvin LaineFinland
Documentary and Short Film Competitions English title Original title Director(s) Production CountryThe African LionJames AlgarUnited StatesBambutiKein Platz für wilde TiereBernhard Grzimek and Michael GrzimekWest Germany ...erwachsen sein dagegen sehrWolf HartWest Germany Ernst ReuterWolfgang KiepenheuerWest GermanyHitit güneşiSabahattin EyüboğluTurkeyThe Long JourneyGeoffrey CollingsUnited StatesMen Against the ArcticWinston HiblerUnited StatesParis la nuitJacques Baratier and Jean ValèreFranceRythmetic Norman McLaren and Evelyn LambartCanadaLe Sabotier du Val de LoireJacques DemyFranceSpring Comes to Kashmir Ravi PrakashIndiaLes Très riches heures de l'Afrique romaineJean LehérisseyFranceZauber der NaturRichard MostlerWest Germany
Official Awards
The following prizes were awarded by the Jury:
Main Competition Golden Bear: Invitation to the Dance by Gene Kelly Silver Bear for Best Director: Robert Aldrich for Autumn Leaves Silver Bear for Best Actress: Elsa Martinelli for Donatella Silver Bear for Best Actor: Burt Lancaster for Trapeze Silver Bear for an Outstanding Artistic Contribution: André Michel for La Sorcière Silver Bear for an Outstanding Single Achievement: Charles Frend for The Long Arm Silver Bear: Richard III by Laurence Olivier Honourable Mention (Director): The Road of Life by Alfonso Corona Blake Honourable Mention (Colour): The Legend of the White Serpent by Shirō Toyoda Honourable Mention (Best Humorous Film): Scandal in Sorrento by Dino Risi
Documentary and Short Film Competitions Golden Bear (Documentaries): Bambuti by Bernhard Grzimek and Michael Grzimek Silver Bear (Documentaries): The African Lion by James Algar Short Film Golden Bear: Paris la nuit by Jacques Baratier and Jean Valère Silver Bear for Best Short Film: Hitit güneşi by Sabahattin Eyüboğlu Spring Comes to Kashmir by Ravi Prakash Rythmetic by Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambart Honorable mention (Short Documentary or Cultural Film): ...erwachsen sein dagegen sehr by Wolf Hart Le Sabotier du Val de Loire by Jacques Demy The Long Journey by Geoffrey Collings
Independent Awards
OCIC Award The Unknown Soldier by Edvin Laine Special Mention: The Road of Life by Alfonso Corona Blake
Audience Vote 1st place: Before Sundown by Gottfried Reinhardt 2nd place: Uncle Hyacynth by Ladislao Vajda 3rd place: Trapeze by Carol Reed
References
External links 6th Berlin International Film Festival 1956 1956 Berlin International Film Festival Berlin International Film Festival:1956 at Internet Movie Database