The 1st annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 6 to 17 June 1951 at the Titiana-Palast cinema.

[1] At this first Berlin Festival, the Golden Bear award was introduced, and it was awarded to the best film in each of five categories: drama, comedy, crime or adventure, music film, and documentary.

This system disappeared already the following year because FIAPF (Federation Internationale des Associations des Producteurs de Films) stated that the awarding of prizes by an expert jury was reserved for "A-festivals" only.

Instead, the next year's festival awards were voted on by the audience.

The following people from West Germany were announced as being on the jury for the festival:[2] The following films were in competition for the Golden Bear awards:[3]