More than 80 current and former participants of the Berlin Film Festival have signed an open letter condemning the festival for what they describe as its “silence” on the conflict in Gaza and the alleged censorship of artists who have spoken out.
Signatories include actors Tilda Swinton, Javier Bardem, Angeliki Papoulia, Saleh Bakri, Tatiana Maslany, Peter Mullan and Tobias Menzies, as well as directors Mike Leigh, Lukas Dhont, Nan Goldin, Miguel Gomes, Adam McKay and Avi Mograbi. The letter calls on industry institutions to “refuse complicity in the terrible violence that continues to be waged against Palestinians”.
The letter comes amid the 2026 Berlinale, where the intersection of politics and cinema has sparked debate. Jury head Wim Wenders, speaking at the festival’s opening press conference, claimed that filmmakers should “stay out of politics” and described filmmaking as “the opposite of politics.”
His remarks drew widespread criticism, prompting festival director Tricia Tuttle to issue a statement emphasising that artists cannot be expected to comment on every broader debate concerning the festival’s practices.
The open letter directly challenges Wenders’ position, stating that filmmaking cannot be separated from politics. Signatories cite growing international support for a cultural boycott of Israeli institutions, noting that more than 5,000 film professionals, including major Hollywood figures, have refused to work with companies complicit in Israel’s actions.
The letter also criticises the Berlinale for allegedly punishing artists who have spoken in support of Palestinian rights. It cites instances in which filmmakers were reportedly reprimanded, investigated by authorities or accused of discrimination for raising concerns about the situation in Gaza.
The statement urges the Berlinale to follow its past practice of publicly condemning atrocities in Iran and Ukraine by explicitly opposing what the letter describes as Israel’s crimes against humanity, including genocide and war crimes. It also calls on the festival to uphold the rights of artists to speak freely on human rights issues.
The letter concludes, “We are dismayed at the Berlinale’s involvement in censoring artists who oppose Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. We call on the festival to fulfil its moral duty and clearly state its opposition to these atrocities while supporting the freedom of expression of filmmakers.”
