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Over 80 Berlin Film Festival alumni sign open letter urging organisers to take stance on Gaza
More than 80 film professionals, including award winners, call on Berlinale to end censorship and condemn Israel's actions amid reports of 71,000 Gaza deaths, the letter states.
- On Feb. 17, 2026, 81 Berlinale alumni published an open letter coordinated by Film Workers for Palestine urging the Berlin International Film Festival to address its 'institutional silence' on Gaza.
- After jury president Wim Wenders said artists should 'stay out of politics' last Thursday, his remarks sparked online uproar and signatories rejected the idea filmmaking can be separated from politics.
- Signatories highlighted last year's reprimands of artists and growing industry refusals, citing one filmmaker investigated by police and more than 5,000 film workers boycotting complicit Israeli institutions.
- Tricia Tuttle rejected claims of censorship, saying the festival supports free speech within German law and the letter was born of anger; Arundhati Roy withdrew while Wolfram Weimer defended the festival.
- Citing past festival stances on Iran and Ukraine, the letter calls on the Berlinale to explicitly condemn Israel amid reports of 2,842 Palestinians 'evaporated' and Germany's arms supply.
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The open letter to the Berlinale is signed by Tilda Swinton, Javier Bardem, Nan Goldin and Mike Leigh, among others.
More than 80 artists have signed a letter criticizing the lack of positions of the Berlin Film Festival
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources120
Leaning Left28Leaning Right12Center27Last UpdatedBias Distribution42% Left
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left
42% Left
L 42%
C 40%
R 18%
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