Berlinale's 70mm Restropective will spotlight the heritage of wide-gauge with a series of classic films shot in 65mm and 70mm, expert panel discussions and the support of major US studios.

In today's digital age, the programme proved a challenge with only a few film laboratories worldwide able to print material onto 70mm film stock.

However, investment by major studios and archives in their 70mm stock has meant that Twentieth Century Fox, MGM and Sony/Columbia were able to contribute nine recently restored films to the programme.

Director Tom Twyker's The International, which will open the 2009 Berlinale, was shot partly on 65mm negative. As one of Germany's foremost wide-gauge enthusiasts, Twyker will explore the history of wide-gauge film to its use in productions today.

Also participating is cinematographer Frank Griebe, Twentieth Century Fox's head of restoration Schawn Belston and ARRI's head of Lab & Postproduction Josef Reidinger.

Classic titles confirmed for screening are Lewis Milestone's Mutiny On The Bounty, Robert Wise's The Sound Of Music, David Lean's Ryan's Daughter, William Wyler's Ben-Hur and Gene Kelly's Hello Dolly!.

In addition, Germany's first wide-gauge production, Hermann Leitner and Rudolf Nußgruber's Flying Clipper-Traumreise unter weißen Segeln will screen after the German Bundesarchiv-Filmarchiv worked in conjunction with US company Fotokem to restore the film to its original 70mm format.