Berlinale chief's future under scrutiny after Gaza controversy

By Kirsti Knolle and Klaus Lauer

BERLIN, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Germany's government convened an emergency meeting of the organisers of the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday, saying it wanted to discuss the event's "direction" after debate and protests over Gaza dominated the programme.

The Bild newspaper reported on Wednesday that the government's Commissioner for Culture and Media, Wolfram Weimer, was planning to sack festival director Tricia Tuttle, citing sources close to the festival's organisers, though the event's overseeing body said that was false.

In reaction to the report, the winner of this year's main prize, Turkish‑German director Ilker Catak, said he would boycott the event if Tuttle went, and hundreds of signatories, including British actor Tilda Swinton and German director Tom Tykwer, sent an open letter backing her.

Gaza Row and Festival Direction Under Pressure

The furore caps a politically charged festival that has pitted anger over Israel's actions in Gaza and concerns over free speech against historical sensitivities in Germany. Berlin is one of Israel's staunchest supporters, a stance born out of guilt for the Nazi Holocaust, a policy known as the "Staatsraison". 

DIRECTOR ACCUSED GERMANY OF AIDING GENOCIDE 

Government Response and Crisis Talks

Weimer convened a crisis meeting of the Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin (KBB), the body responsible for the festival known by its nickname the "Berlinale", on Thursday.

"Discussions about the direction of the Berlinale will continue in the coming days between the director, Tricia Tuttle, and the supervisory board," read identically worded statements from Weimer's office and the KBB. 

Reports of Dismissal and Official Denials

After the Bild article on plans to sack Tuttle, the KBB issued a statement saying: "We consider this to be a false report." The festival's office said it would not comment on speculation.

Artists’ Reactions and Open Letters

During the festival, more than 80 actors, directors and other artists, including Swinton and Javier Bardem, signed an open letter to the organisers calling for them to take a clear stance on Israel's war in Gaza.

Controversial Speeches and Backlash

In a speech during the closing ceremony on Saturday, Palestinian-Syrian film director Abdallah Al-Khatib accused Germany of being "partners in the genocide in Gaza by Israel", prompting a German minister to walk out and criticism from other politicians.

Berlin Mayor Wegner’s Criticism

"Those who present themselves here as pro-Palestinian activists are not concerned with human rights," Berlin's mayor Kai Wegner told Bild in a separate article over the weekend. "They are not interested in dialogue, peace, or nuanced criticism. They are solely concerned with hatred of Israel."

Germany and Israel’s Positions

Israel has strongly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide and says they are justified as self-defence. The German government says Israel had a right to self-defence after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants.

SDP SAY TUTTLE 'ENCOURAGED DEBATE'

Prizewinners’ Solidarity Statements

Several prize winners used their speeches to voice solidarity for Palestinians.

Tuttle’s Closing Remarks on Debate

In her own address at the closing ceremony, Tuttle said: "If this Berlinale has been emotionally charged, that's not a failure of the Berlinale, and it's not a failure of cinema."

Photo With Palestinian Flag Dispute

During the festival, Tuttle also appeared in a group photo close to a man carrying the Palestinian flag, an image that Bild said was another motivation for ousting her.

Ilker Çatak’s Boycott Threat

Golden Bear prize winner Catak said on Wednesday evening a move to sack Tuttle would be "short-sighted". 

"Do they even realize that all of us - and I certainly include myself in that - I would never submit another film to the Berlinale," the Berliner Zeitung newspaper quoted him as saying.

Support Statements for Tuttle

Writers association PEN Berlin said statements by Al-Khatib and the use of the Palestinian flag were protected by freedom of expression. "And none of this can be blamed on Tricia Tuttle."

SPD Backs Tuttle’s Leadership

A spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party, which is the junior partner in the conservative-led coalition, expressed solidarity with Tuttle.

"Tuttle fostered diversity and encouraged debate. This is precisely what makes an international public festival," it said in a statement.

(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle, Klaus Lauer, Swantje Stein, Linda Pasquini; Writing by Linda Pasquini and Matthias Williams; editing by Andrew Heavens)