Berlin Film Festival Opening Plagued by Controversy Over Israel-Gaza Conflict
The Berlin International Film Festival, known as the Berlinale, faced immediate controversy on Thursday as its opening press conference was disrupted by a pointed question regarding the festival’s stance on the Israel-Gaza War. The incident, which led to a temporary shutdown of the live feed, underscores the growing challenges faced by international cultural events navigating the complexities of global political tensions.
The disruption occurred when a German journalist challenged the festival’s response to the ongoing conflict, specifically questioning why the Berlinale had seemingly offered support for Iran and Ukraine, “but never for Palestine.” The journalist framed the question in light of the German government’s financial backing of the festival and its support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, accusing the festival of “selective treatment of human rights.” As the journalist continued, stating, “My question is, in light of the German government’s support of the genocide in Gaza and its role as the main funder of the Berlinale do you as a member of the jury…,” the live broadcast abruptly cut out.
A festival spokesperson initially attributed the interruption to “technical problems with the signal,” firmly denying any censorship. The full press conference was subsequently made available on the festival’s website, as promised.
The jury, led by president Wim Wenders and including members Min Bahadur Bham, Bae Doona, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Reinaldo Marcus Green, HIKARI, and Ewa Puszczyńska, attempted to deflect the politically charged query. Festival Director Tricia Tuttle initially suggested the focus should remain on the films themselves, while Puszczyńska argued that the jury could not be held responsible for individual responses to the issues raised.
“Asking us this question is a little bit unfair… we use the word ‘change the world’, but we are trying to talk to people, every single viewer, and to make them think, but we cannot be responsible for what their decision would be to support Israel… to support Palestine,” Puszczyńska stated. She further emphasized the complexity of the issue, noting the existence of numerous conflicts globally and the unfairness of singling out the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Wenders echoed this sentiment, asserting the need for the festival to remain politically neutral. “We cannot really enter the field of politics,” he said. “We have to stay out of politics because if we made movies that are dedicatedly political, we enter the field of politics… We are the counterweight of politics, the opposite of politics, we have to do the work of people — not the work of politicians.”
This incident is not isolated. The Berlinale has been a focal point of debate surrounding the Israel-Gaza War, sparked by the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel that resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. The subsequent Israeli military response has led to at least 73,600 fatalities in Gaza and displaced 1.5 million people, with three-quarters of the population now living in tents. Israel disputes accusations of genocide, maintaining that its actions are not driven by intent.
In 2024, the festival faced calls for a boycott due to its perceived lack of condemnation of the military campaign in Gaza, leading to a decline in submissions from Arab filmmakers. The situation escalated when the documentary No Other Land, which documents settler violence in the West Bank, won the Berlinale Documentary Award, and its Israeli co-director, Yuval Abraham, accused his country of apartheid during his acceptance speech.
Tuttle, who assumed the director’s role for the 2025 edition, has actively sought to foster an inclusive and respectful environment. She spearheaded the publication of a Q&A on the festival website addressing freedom of speech, expression, and antisemitism. However, controversy continued when Hong Kong filmmaker Jun Li was arrested following a pro-Palestinian speech at a film screening, prompting a police investigation and calls for the festival’s defunding.
While the atmosphere surrounding the conflict appeared calmer leading into this year’s festival, Thursday’s opening conference question demonstrates that strong feelings remain on all sides. The Berlinale, like many international cultural institutions, continues to grapple with the challenge of navigating complex geopolitical issues while upholding its commitment to artistic freedom and open dialogue.
Watch the full Berlinale Press opening press conference below.
