6th Berlin International Film Festival
The 6th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 22 June to 3 July 1956. The FIAPF granted the festival the "A status" during this year, which was previously only reserved for Cannes and Venice. The awards for the first time, were given by an international jury. The Golden Bear was awarded to "Invitation to the Dance" directed by Gene Kelly. However, this decision by the jury was widely criticized as the fil was considered "too shallow" for a Golden Bear. The favourite among many critics was the Finnish entry "Tuntematon sotilas" by Edvin  Laine, which was an anti-war film without any illusions based on a novel by Väinö Linna. Jury. The following people were announced as being on the jury for the festival: International feature film jury International documentary and short jury Films in competition. The following films were in competition for the Golden Bear awards: Awards. The following prizes were awarded by the Jury: International jury awards Documentaries and short films jury awards Independent jury awards Audience vote