Step back in time and immerse yourself in the wild, untamed world of ’90s rave and acid house as the 17th edition of the British Shorts Film Festival in Berlin takes you on a journey through this iconic era. From Thursday 18th to Wednesday 24th January, the festival will illuminate venues across the city with a retrospective celebration of the pulsating music and vibrant imagery that defined a generation.

A particular highlight of the festival is the Retrospective: Weekender – Memories of Acid House & 90s Rave Scenes event at Gretchen on Tuesday 23rd January. Kicking off at 8PM, this electrifying lineup features groundbreaking documentaries such as Rave, Techno Babes, and the controversial World In Action: A Trip Around Acid House, a daring exposé by ITV that sent shockwaves in 1992. As if that wasn’t enough, the audience will be treated to timeless music videos including Flowered Up’s marathon ‘Weekender’, ‘Blind Faith’ by Chase & Status, and Bicep’s ‘Glue’, promising a night of sensory overload and breathtaking visuals.

But this event isn’t just about the music and the parties. It’s a profound exploration of the social undercurrents of the era, delving into the moral panic ignited by the tabloid press and the government’s relentless crackdown on illegal raves. A captivating insider’s look at a time when underground movements like the nomadic Freetekno crew and vibrant queer party collectives were thriving, laying the foundations for the pop culture landscape we know and love today.

And that’s not all – the event will also showcase the iconic video for Orbital’s ‘The Box’, directed by Jes Benstock and Luke Losey of Technobabble. This isn’t just a treat for Berliners, as the same video will be showcased at the ICA in London as part of an enthralling display of rave-related footage. And for those unable to attend these events, fear not – a myriad of new streaming documentaries await your viewing pleasure. Dive into the world of hip house with ‘In Our DNA’ on Xfinity, or lose yourself to the disco beats in ‘Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution’ on BBC iPlayer.

So whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the ’90s rave scene or a wide-eyed newcomer eager to uncover its intoxicating history, the Retrospective promises to be an immersive, mind-bending experience. Prepare to be whisked away on a mesmerising journey through a time when the beats were booming, the fashion was daring, and freedom was the ultimate euphoria.