The Berlin International Film Festival is kicking off on Thursday with the world premiere of Tom Tykwer’s “The Light,” a timely tale of a dysfunctional German family and a Syrian refugee. The festival known as the Berlinale this year comes against the backdrop of Germany's parliament elections.

But then, for a week in early February, the city lights up with 200 free art installations. People often end up seeing snippets of PDXWLF even when they didn’t plan to attend—perhaps an illuminated bike ride flies by, or a 17-foot fire-breathing metal dragon greets you at the Salmon Springs Fountain.

The Berlin film festival kicked off its 75th anniversary event in style Thursday night, with the German and international film industry giving a warm welcome of a very cold and snowy night to new Berlinale director Trica Tuttle.

The 75th Berlin International Film Festival opened with the world premiere of Tom Tykwer’s “The Light,” as Tilda Swinton was honored with the Golden Bear. (Feb. 13)

The Berlin Film Festival kicked off its 75th anniversary edition February 13 with the opening-night world premiere screening of The Light, Tom Tykwer’s politically charged film that takes stock of German society in the first quarter of the 21st century.