BERLIN (AP) — The Berlin International Film Festival is opening in the German capital —the first of the year's major European movie festivals — with Meryl Streep presiding over the jury that will choose the winners.

The festival opens Thursday with the Coen brothers' "Hail, Caesar!" Stars include George Clooney and Josh Brolin. The comedy is screening out of competition.

Eighteen movies are in contention for the Golden Bear prize at the festival which is in its 66th edition this year and runs Feb. 11-21.

It's hard to pin down any single overarching theme, but festival director Dieter Kosslick said recently that many movies at this year's event address "the search for happiness" and "migration in the world in very varying forms."