BERLIN (AP) — The first of the year's major European film festivals is getting underway in Berlin with a strong contingent of movies from female directors.

French actress Juliette Binoche heads a six-member jury at this year's Berlin International Film Festival. Starting Thursday with Danish director Lone Scherfig's "The Kindness of Strangers," it will see 17 contenders for the event's top Golden Bear award. The winner will be announced Feb. 16.

Binoche noted that there are seven films by women directors this year. She said: "I think that's a good step forward, and 10 years ago it was not like that."

This year's "Berlinale" is also the end of an era. It is the last under Dieter Kosslick, the event's director for 18 years.