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.

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. - 'Extra urgency' - Tykwer said the film aimed to show that better communication can help people to relate personally but also "politically".

The Berlin Film Festival's opening feature, dysfunctional family drama "The Light," sends the unequivocal message that migrants are welcome, said star Lars Eidinger, ahead of German elections characterised by debate over tougher migration rules.