The 31st annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 13 to 24 February 1981.

[1] The Golden Bear was awarded to Deprisa, deprisa directed by Carlos Saura.

[2] The retrospective was dedicated to British film producer Michael Balcon, as well a tribute to Turkish film director Yılmaz Güney who was a political prisoner at the time.

[3] The guest of the Homage was German film director Peter Pewas.

[4] The following people were announced as being on the jury for the festival:[5] The following films were in competition for the Golden Bear award: The following films were shown in the retrospective dedicated to Michael Balcon: The following films were shown in the homage dedicated to Peter Pewas: The following prizes were awarded by the Jury:[2]