"Germany's federal government commissioner for culture and media, Wolfram Weimer, convened a crisis meeting on Thursday on the future direction of the Berlinale, which is among Europe's top three cinema showcases with Cannes and Venice. Weimer's office said after the talks that discussions about the direction of the Berlinale will continue in the coming days between the festival chief, Tricia Tuttle, and the event's supervisory board."
"The newspaper Bild had reported that Thursday's meeting could result in the firing of Tuttle, the US director of the festival since 2024, after controversy over pro-Palestinian speeches at Saturday's closing gala, one of which criticised Germany as partners in the genocide."
"The report prompted an outpouring of solidarity with Tuttle, who previously helmed the BFI London film festival, and stark warnings about free speech and artistic liberty in German society in the face of intimidation. Nearly 700 film-makers signed a petition backing Tuttle."
Germany's federal culture commissioner convened a crisis meeting regarding Berlin film festival director Tricia Tuttle's future after pro-Palestinian remarks at the festival's closing ceremony. Award winner Abdallah al-Khatib delivered a speech criticizing Germany's support for Israel, and a photograph showed Tuttle with al-Khatib's film team members displaying Palestinian flags and keffiyeh scarves. Reports suggested Tuttle could be fired over these incidents. The controversy sparked widespread support for Tuttle, with nearly 700 filmmakers signing a petition defending her. Prominent directors and actors rallied behind her, warning about threats to free speech and artistic liberty in Germany.
#berlin-film-festival #free-speech-and-artistic-liberty #gaza-conflict #festival-leadership #pro-palestinian-activism
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