Overview
- The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media scheduled a Thursday morning Supervisory Board meeting to discuss the Berlin Film Festival’s future direction at the initiative of State Minister Wolfram Weimer.
- German tabloid Bild reported that Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle would be removed, but the state-owned KBB called the claim “fake news,” and Weimer signaled in parliament that reports of a decision were premature.
- European Film Promotion, the European Film Academy and Europa International issued a joint statement praising Tuttle’s leadership and expressing confidence in her stewardship of the festival.
- A separate open letter supporting Tuttle gathered nearly 700 signatures from filmmakers and industry figures ahead of the board meeting.
- Scrutiny intensified after prizewinners delivered pro-Palestinian remarks at the closing ceremony, prompting Environment Minister Carsten Schneider to walk out, while the Berlinale said the speeches were within German free-speech law.