TEHRAN – For the first time in the history of Iranian cinema, six films are participating in different sections of the 56th Berlin International Film Festival (February 9-19), which is also known as the Berlinale, ISNA reported on Wednesday.

According to Iranian cinema experts, last year cinematic associations in Europe and the United States pronounced the death of Iranian cinema at festivals due to the absence of Iranian movies at important international festivals in 2005.

However, Rafi Pitz’s “It’s Winter” and Jafar Panahi’s “Offside” will be screened in the competition section of this year’s Berlinale, competing with 23 other films.

“A Little Up Here” by Mehdi Jafari is an entry to the short film section, “Slowly” by Maziar Miri will be screened in the Panorama section, and “Another Morning” by Naser Refaii and “Workers Are Busy” by Mani Haqiqi will go on screen in the Forum of New Cinema section.

Commenting on the two Iranian movies in the competition section, Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick recently said that there have rarely been two films from one country in the competition section since the establishment of the festival.

Iranian movies have realistic social themes, are very professional, and meet international standards, he added.

About 600 movies will also be screened in the sideline section of the event for marketing purposes.

Many of the festival’s main entries are focusing on the theme of sports due to the fact that the World Cup is being held in Germany this year.