The 47th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 13 to 24 February 1997.

[2] The Golden Bear was awarded to Canadian-American film The People vs. Larry Flynt directed by Miloš Forman.

[3] The retrospective dedicated to Austrian film director G. W. Pabst was shown at the festival.

[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 and Silver Bear awards:[1] The following prizes were awarded by the Jury:[3]