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.

Congratulations to the city on getting this extraordinary director to lead this beloved festival into the future,” said German director Edward Berger ( Conclave, All Quiet on the Western Front ), capturing the sense of optimism and excitement over Tuttle’s appointment,

German director Tom Tykwer said Thursday that his latest movie about a Syrian immigrant aimed to encourage people to stop "isolating" themselves, as it opened Berlin's international film festival.