Berlin According To… Berlinale Pro Director Tanja Meissner

30 years after her first festival job — working for the guest department at the Berlinale — and after more than two decades as a sales agent and acquisitions exec for French indies Celluloid Dreams and Memento Films, Tanja Meissner returns to Berlin this year as the new director of Berlinale Pro, overseeing all the festival’s industry events, including the European Film Market.

Your favorite “Only in Berlin” moment?

Every phenomenal Teddy party.

Favorite celebrity encounter in Berlin?

Madonna! In 2007 at the Filth and Wisdom premiere (the comedy feature Madonna directed).

What’s something every visitor to Berlin should see?

Summer! Come back!

Strategy for staying warm in chilly Berlin?

The Liquidrome (legendary spa/club in Berlin-Kreuzberg, open every day till midnight).

Strategy for avoiding the dreaded “festival flu”?

My special Ayurveda formula.

Favorite Berlin restaurant or bar?

Restaurant: Briefmarkenweine (Karl-Marx-Allee 99) and 893 Ryōtei (Kant-Str. 135). Bar: Bunuel Bar (Bergstraße 25) or Wohnzimmer (Lettestraße 6).

Your top piece of advice for Berlinale newbies?

Wear the right shoes (your feet will freeze in sneakers). Reserve your tix in advance.