The winners of the first awards in 1951 were determined by an exclusively West German panel.
[1] The FIAPF (Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films) banned the awarding of jury prizes at the festival[1] so between 1952 and 1955, the winners of the Golden Bear were determined by the audience members.
[2] In 1956, FIAPF formally accredited the festival[1] and since then the Golden Bear has been awarded by an international jury.
[3] The first foreign president of the jury and inaugural holder of this position was French film director Marcel Carné.
The first woman who held the office of president of the jury was dancer Wendy Toye.