The 73rd Berlinale has officially started. At the opening on Thursday evening, Hollywood stars such as Anne Hathaway (40), Peter Dinklage (53), Marisa Tomei (58) and this year's jury president Kristen Stewart (32) honored themselves on the red carpet in front of the Berlinale Palast. German acting and political celebrities were also well represented. The festival opened with the melancholic love comedy "She Came to Me" by US director Rebecca Miller (60). Dinklage, Tomei and Hathaway star in the out-of-competition film.

In addition to the US stars, there were many prominent German actors on the festival's red carpet. Young actress Emilia Schüle (30) could also be seen, as well as Emmy award winner Maria Schrader (57), "Game of Thrones" star Tom Wlaschiha (49), Matthias Schweighöfer (41) and girlfriend Ruby O. Fee (27), Elyas M 'Barek (40) and Iris Berben (72).

Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (53), Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (52) and Berlin's Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (44) also walked the red carpet. Inside the Berlinale Palast, Sean Penn (62) welcomed the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj (45) via video link.

The Berlinale will take place from February 16th to 26th this year. In the main competition of the festival, 19 films compete for the Golden and Silver Bears.