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 International Film Festival is kicking off with the world premiere of Tom Tykwer’s “The Light.” BERLIN — The Berlin International Film Festival is kicking off on Thursday with the world premiere of Tom Tykwer’s “The Light,” a timely tale of a dysfunctional German family and a Syrian refugee.

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.

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.

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.