A group of #Berlinale festival workers have issued a public call to action in response to the ongoing devastation in #Gaza. This group, consisting of 28 Berlinale employees from various departments such as Panorama, Generation, EFM, Forum, Berlinale Talents, and Berlinale Goes Kiez, demands an «immediate ceasefire» in Gaza, the «release of all hostages» and a call for «stronger institutional leadership» to address the crisis, specifically urging the Berlinale to take a stand.
The workers expressed their concerns through an open letter, made available on social media and as a Google document to industry. It criticises the Berlinale’s earlier statements on the Gaza conflict as insufficient. They argue that the Berlinale, with its history of advocating for humanitarian values, should use its platform to actively voice opposition to the assault on Palestinian lives and foster a space for meaningful dialogue about the conflict.
Despite the festival organising a «TinyHouse» space at Potsdamer Platz for open dialogues about the Israel-Gaza war, the signatories feel that the festival’s program lacks significant initiatives for in-depth discussion on the matter. They highlight the pressing need for the film industry to adopt stronger institutional positions in light of the severe loss of civilian lives in Gaza, including journalists, artists, and film workers, as well as the destruction of cultural heritage.
The letter references a statement from the International Court Of Justice regarding the crisis, noting the contentious use of the term «genocide» in relation to Israel’s actions in Gaza. This comes against the backdrop of a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel and a subsequent Israeli response that has led to tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties, virtually all civilians, about one-third being children.
The Berlinale’s co-heads, #Mariëtte Rissenbeek# and #Carlo Chatrian# had previously issued a statement expressing sympathy for all victims of humanitarian crises, emphasising the festival’s role in promoting empathy and understanding through film and dialogue. The workers’ statement seeks to build on this, calling for the festival to more actively engage with the current crisis and uphold its reputation for supporting humanitarian and anti-discrimination values.
This move by Berlinale workers represents a significant public intervention from within the festival’s ranks, coming at a time when the festival had already faced criticism for inviting politicians from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to its opening ceremony, an invitation that was later rescinded. Germany has also been a particularly hostile environment for speaking out against the ongoing Palestinian genocide, where many have faced profiling and punishment for speaking out. A comprehensive list of those affected can be found HERE. The action comes following the Film Workers For Palestine initiative, which launched at Sundance and has seen thousand of international film workers sign in solidarity. In late 2023, IDFA also received backlash for its inconsistent messaging and lack of dialogue around the issue.
