The Cultural Ministry of the GDR prohibits sections of the Soviet programme, as well as all traditional film discussions, such as the public midnight discussions. In place of these, closed press conferences are introduced, held each morning.
Prohibited films are screened nonetheless, including "Rudi Dutschke - Aufrecht Gehen". This West German production is prevented from participating in the competition. In spite of this, it is decided to allow it to be screened in the trade show under the motto "The selection committee presents". Influence on the festival week is also felt at the opening event: The GDR television report "Das Mega-Projekt oder Die hemmungslosen Optimisten" is shown, a film about the development of the 1 megabit memory circuit. The film is ridiculed by the audience, with GDR television placing the blame for this upon the festival and the film school – it is claimed that film school students had incited the audience to their reaction. In addition, large-screen video projections are shown at the Capitol cinema for the first time.
The well-received DEFA film "Winter Adé" is awarded the Silver Dove. From Helke Misselwitz, the film deals with the conditions experienced by women in the GDR. Misselwitz travelled from Zwickau to Rügen, capturing life stories that encourage contemplation and relativise the varnished image of women in the GDR.
Joris Ivens is honoured with a special showing of his films for his 90th birthday. The China cycle "Wie Yü Gung Berge versetzte: Die Apotheke", from 1976, is screened in the GDR for the first time.
Golden Doves
KAMERAD KRÜGER (GDR, Walter Heynowski and Gerhard Scheumann)
EL SANTO PADRE Y LA GLORIA (HEILIGER VATER UND GLORIA, Cuba, Team)
Silver Doves
WINTER ADÉ (GDR, Helke Misselwitz)
VREMJA NADEZD (DIE ZEIT DER HOFFNUNG, USSR, L. Cerenzov)
INTIFADA - ROAD TO FREEDOM (INTIFADA - STRASSE ZUR FREIHEIT, Arabian League, Jenny Morgen)
CHUYEN TU TE (REDLICHKEIT, GB, Caroline Goldie)
Special prize of the International Jury
DER INDIANER (FRG, Rolf Schübel)
DIE LÖSUNG (GDR, Sieglinde Hamacher)