3rd Berlin International Film Festival

The 3rd annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 18 to 28 June 1953.

The Golden Bear was awarded to The Wages of Fear by the audience vote. Since 1952, the FIAPF had prohibit the festival from awarding any prizes by an official jury (which in the early 50's only Cannes and Venice were allowed to do so), instead the awards were given through audience voting until 1956.

During this edition the first replica of the Bär, created by sculptor Renée Sintenis, produced by the Noack Foundry, was presented and awarded.

The festival held a retrospective on silent films.

Main Competition
The following films were in competition for the Golden Bear award:

Official Awards
The following prizes were awarded by audience votes:
 * Golden Bear: The Wages of Fear by Henri-Georges Clouzot
 * Silver Bear: Green Magic by Gian Gaspare Napolitano
 * Bronze Berlin Bear: The Village by Leopold Lindtberg