Filmfestivaldirektörer från hela världen har skrivit under ett öppet brev som stöder Tricia Tuttles fortsatta roll som direktör för Berlinfilmfestivalen. Uttalandet kommer mitt i kontroversen kring politiska diskussioner vid den senaste Berlinalen och rapporter om hennes potentiella avsked. Underskrivarna betonar behovet av utrymmen som omfamnar obehag och mångsidiga perspektiv på filmfestivaler.
Filmfestivalchefer, inklusive Thierry Frémaux från Cannes och Cameron Bailey från Toronto, har samlats i stöd för Tricia Tuttle, direktören för Berlins internationella filmfestival, känd som Berlinalen. I ett gemensamt uttalande undertecknat av ledare från festivaler som Sundance, Telluride, Busan, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, San Sebastian, Rotterdam och London uttrycker de fullt förtroende för Tuttles ledarskap och institutionella oberoende. The open letter, published on March 3, 2026, highlights the pressures on film festivals to navigate volatile times while maintaining spaces for the exchange of cinema and ideas. It states: “We need to maintain spaces where discomfort is embraced, where debates can be expansive, where new ideas can propagate and where unexpected – and sometimes conflicting – perspectives are made visible.” The signatories also urge stakeholders to show grace, respect, and solidarity, warning that without such efforts, these cultural spaces risk being lost. This support follows the 76th Berlinale, held from February 12 to 22, 2026, which faced accusations of censoring political talk. Initially, prominent attendees, including jury president Wim Wenders, avoided discussing politics. However, on closing night, some prize-winners used their acceptance speeches to voice support for Palestine and Gaza. A story in German tabloid Bild on March 2, 2026, suggested Tuttle was about to be sacked, prompting backlash. In response, a petition signed by over 3,000 film professionals, including Sean Baker, Todd Haynes, Tilda Swinton, and Kleber Mendonça Filho, defended Tuttle. Additionally, more than 500 Berlinale staffers wrote an open letter voicing their support. Tuttle's future will be debated at a meeting of the festival's governing body on March 4, 2026, in Berlin.
