Berlinale chief Dieter Kosslick said the match-up of rock and pop royalty with the big screen's hottest stars promised one of the glitziest years on the red carpet in the event's 58-year history.

Luring Oscar winner Martin Scorsese and the self-proclaimed world's greatest rock'n'roll band to Berlin for the premiere of their concert film "Shine A Light" was a triumph even Kosslick first thought was too good to be true."It's a major coup," the 59-year-old told AFP. "They had to trust us as a festival that we would know how to handle a premiere of this calibre. Because you can only imagine what will be going on that night on the red carpet." "Shine A Light" will open the February 7-17 event.
Madonna will be in town with her directorial debut "Filth and Wisdom", starring cult British actor Richard E. Grant, Roma punk band Gogol Bordello and a cast of Balkan actors Kosslick said "look like they walked off the set of an Emir Kusturica film".

The short feature will be showing in the Panorama section outside the main competition.

He said it was that heady mix of glamour and spontaneity that drew top-drawer talent to the frosty German capital in February.

"We've worked for years to build good relationships with Hollywood -- both the big studios and the independents -- and that has paid off," Kosslick said.

Even a seasoned showbiz hand like Madonna needs a little support when she takes on a new venture. So her director husband Guy Ritchie was on hand to pass on tips as the Queen of Pop clocked up a first: directing a movie.

The 30-minute short Filth And Wisdom features a subject matter that strays not too far from her area of expertise. The superstar singer has revealed the film is based on her own life experiences, but has otherwise kept details of the project hush hush. "I hate to be a tease, but you know how I am," she told fans.

On the shoot in a London street market this week the Material Girl, dressed in a casual green tracksuit teamed with a skull and crossbones cap, was all business giving instructions from the director's chair.

Characters reportedly include an Indian chemist owner, a Jewish businessman and a failed ballet dancer who takes up pole dancing. Madonna is hoping filming will wrap by July when she aims to be back in the recording studio. Meanwhile, her other half is set to return to film-making with RocknRolla a low budget gangster flick he has written and produced himself.