MUMBAI: Martin Scorsese‘s horror-thriller Shutter Island will join Roman Polanski‘s The Ghost Writer at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.

The fourth film by the acclaimed director starring actor Leonardo DiCaprio, will make its debut at the Berlinale. The premiere comes just before the film‘s 19 February North American release.

It is said that Polanski‘s Ghost Writer, a political thriller starring Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan, would have its premiere in Berlin.

While the Scorsese film will not be vying for the festival‘s coveted Golden Bear prize, The Ghost Writer will be in competition.

Other competiting films by European art-house directors include Bal (Honey), Der Rauber (The Robber), Na Putu (On the Path) and Shekarchi (The Hunter), dir. Rafi Pitts (Germany/Iran).

Altogether, organizers will select 26 films for the festival‘s competition lineup. Further titles will be announced in January.

The 60th Berlin International Film Festival takes place Feb. 11-21.

The awards closed a muted DIFF, which opened weeks after it was revealed the city is facing a major debt crisis. The event cut back in many areas including the number of high profile celebrities flown in for event although Matt Dillon, Mandy.

This year saw more local distributors attending with a view to buying more local fare, which has been a key aim for the festival and market since launching in 2003.