Filmmakers taking a stance!
Berlinale 2026 was marked by several discussionsand various forms of critique, neither Wim Wenders - once a firm believer inthe political power of cinema - stance of wanting Berlinale - internationally known to be a political filmfestival - to be an „unpolitical“ festival, NeilPatrick Harris publicly applauding that and adding his preferation forunpolitical cinema in general, nor the participation and winning of Palestinian Filmmakers gave pause to some media frenzy around the festival.
At the closing gala, Syrian-Palestinian directorAbdallah Alkhatib accused the German government of being a partner in „thegenocide in the Gaza Strip“ which made the cup of German Federal Government Comissioner of Culture and Media, Wolfram Weimer, run over, he felt „specialoffence“ and reacted along Germanys „Staatsräson“ (reason of state) in critizising Tricia Tuttle, Festivalleader since 2024, for not preventing any political remarks against Israel and the war in Gaza - nor pictures withv arious winners of the festival awards.
But his attempt to set up the cancellation of Tricia Tuttle finally led to an international outcry of filmmakers against authoritarian overreach against the freedom of culture and media. More than 700 filmmakers signed the open letter of the German Filmacademy (link in German), artists and filmmakers worldwide sent words of support for Tricia Tuttle and strong warnings against silencing filmmakers or the authoritarian manipulation of culture and media.
Tricia Tuttle’s position is safe for now, she herself still wants to work as leader of the Berlinale, even though the Supervisory Board of Cultural Events in Berlin (KBB) advised to create a code of conduct and follow some guidelines. Filmmakers stood strong against governmental overreach and made their position clear, which meant great comfort and backing for Tricia Tuttle.
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