Help

In the Berliner Festspiele’s media library you will find live streams, audio and video recordings and texts relating to Berliner Festspiele events and themes. After the launch on 15 March 2022, most of the content the Media library offers will be made up of recent or current items: older archive material will be added gradually.

An overview of the Berliner Festspiele and their festivals, exhibitions and programme series can be found on the Berliner Festspiele website.

How is the Berliner Festspiele Media library arranged?
The media library is divided into two sections – a live stage (live section) and a media archive (archive section). You can tell the difference between the two sections by the background colour of the page: the live section has a black background and the archive section a white one.

What will I find in the Media library’s live section?
If a current festival or exhibition includes digital events, a preview window will be visible near the top of the Media library’s start page displaying what is available. When you click on one of these items, you will be directed to a webpage with a black background. Here you will find further information about the item and, in the case of video and audio content, the player with which you will be able to be able to play it. Selected live events will also offer you opportunities to take part in a live chat.

What will I find in the media library’s archive section?
The archive section of the media library is recognisable by a white background. Here you will find a detailed search function with filter options and news of the most recent items in the media library.

How do I use the search function in the media library?
The search function in the archive section of the media library gives you the option of using rapid navigation – recognisable by the check boxes – to select the festivals and sections of the programme that particularly interest you. You can use the pre-set filters to refine your search. If you wish to search for content from festivals or programmes that are not included in rapid navigation, please use full text search. The full text search can be recognised by its entry field with a magnifying glass.

You can also find a full text search in the header on every page of the media library. To open the search window, click on the magnifying glass. When you enter a search term and confirm your entry, you will leave the current page and be directed to a page with your search results.

How long will I be able to access individual items?
Information on the availability of individual items can be found in the information section of the page devoted to that item.

Which languages are items available in?
Information about the languages, subtitles and audio descriptions available can be found in the information section of the page devote to the respective item. You can also use the search function on the media library’s start page to find this content with the help of the filters.

Is there a charge for accessing the media library?
All items are free of charge unless stated otherwise.

How do I register for the live chat?
To take part in the live chat, please enter your name and confirm that you agree to the conditions of use. Please make sure you follow our netiquette.

You can show or hide the chat by using the small arrow next to the video player. On mobile devices, you will find this arrow below the video player.

Where will I find information about disabled access?

Information about the content accessible to the disabled can be found on the page about disabled access.

What technical equipment do I require to use the media library?
You can view our content on your laptop, PC, smartphone, tablet or through your television. For streaming via an internet browser, we recommend the current versions of Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari.

Is my internet fast enough?
You will only be able to watch a live stream if you have a stable internet connection. Shared WiFi networks, for example those provided in public spaces, are frequently too unreliable to be able to watch a live stream uninterrupted. We recommend using the best available connection that you can find.

You can perform a  speed test to measure your download speed. It may help to conduct the test several times in order to see whether you achieve consistent download speeds. To watch a 720/HD stream, you will require download speeds of approx. 1.5 – 2 mbps.

Check your computer’s resources: one possible reason for jerky or interrupted playing may be inadequate CPU resources. Older computer graphics cards may perhaps have problems processing live streams and recorded videos. If you have problems playing content, we also recommend that you close all other applications and browser tabs/windows while watching our content.

My internet is slow: what can I do?
If you have an unstable or slow internet connection, try watching videos at lower quality: the streams are available in a variety of bit rates. Selecting the appropriate bit rate is done through your browser. If you are watching on a mobile phone, the bit rate will be adjusted and reduced automatically. If you are watching on a laptop/desktop computer, you can adjust the bit rate at which you are watching manually. To do this, click on the toothed wheel symbol in the bottom right of the player window.

Why might content still not play?
Check whether you have accepted third party cookies. You can change your settings in the section cookie information.

How can I see the subtitles on a video?
We use players from different third-party providers to deliver content in the media library. It is currently integrated with players from Vimeo, YouTube, SoundCloud, ARTE and other providers. Subtitles are activated slightly differently from player to player.

Vimeo: We use the Vimeo Player for most of the content in the media library. You can recognise this player from the fact that no logos are visible in the video window. To display subtitles, activate the “CC” button on the control bar within the video window. This will open a selection window where you can activate subtitles in the languages that are available.

YouTube: You can recognise the YouTube Player from the YouTube logo in the control bar on the video player. On this control bar you will find a button that looks like a rectangle with two lines inside. Activate this button to display the subtitles. A selection window will open where you can activate subtitles in the languages that are available.

ARTE and SoundCloud: We do not currently have any subtitled content on these players.

Other players: Other providers are sometimes used for live streams and recordings of live streams. In these cases, do not activate the subtitles directly in the video window but using a control bar underneath the video window. On this control bar you will find a button that looks like a speech bubble with two lines inside. Activate this button, which will open an overlay window where you can activate subtitles in the languages that are available. Please note that if you do this, the video will restart.

How can I choose between versions in different languages?
If a video is available in versions in different languages, you will find a control bar underneath the video window with a button that looks like a speech bubble with two lines inside. Activate this button, which will open an overlay window where you can activate different language versions. Please note that if you do this, the video will restart.

What can I do if I have technical problems or further questions?
If you have questions about the media library, please send an email to: mediathek@berlinerfestspiele.de.

During our festivals, you can also contact the Ticket Office of the Berliner Festspiele at ticketinfo@berlinerfestspiele.de and +49 30 254 89 100.  Our team will then be ready to answer your questions daily from 10:00 a.m. until 30 minutes after the start of the last programme item of the respective day.