Israeli filmmaker Tom Shoval has publicly voiced his support for Tricia Tuttle, the director of the Berlin International Film Festival, as her position faces scrutiny from the German government. In a Wednesday evening Instagram post, Shoval described Tuttle as a model of cultural leadership, praising her “cosmopolitan, progressive, and artistic vision” and, crucially, her “unparalleled integrity.”
Shoval’s post specifically referenced Tuttle’s decision to screen his film, A Letter to David, at the 2025 Berlinale, a period coinciding with the captivity of his brother and David Cunio as hostages. “Tricia saw beyond politics,” Shoval wrote, “She saw the human suffering of a family and understood the urgency of giving them a voice.” He further stated that Tuttle recognized the moral responsibility of the film world to advocate for their release.
Following David Cunio’s release, Tuttle invited the film back to the festival with a new ending, and, according to Shoval, “met with the family in tears. We felt like a family.”
Shoval’s statement comes in response to reports that German Culture Minister Wolfram Weimar is considering removing Tuttle from her position. According to reports, Weimar has scheduled an extraordinary meeting of the supervisory board of Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes (KBB), the federal agency that oversees the Berlinale, for Thursday. Weimar chairs the board. He has stated publicly that “The Berlinale is not a place for agitation, threats, and antisemitism. Israel hatred must not be allowed to run rampant there, let alone be financed with taxpayers’ money.”
Bild newspaper reported Wednesday that Weimar and Tuttle have agreed that a new leadership structure for the Berlinale is necessary. Tuttle assumed leadership of the internationally renowned film festival in April 2024, inheriting a festival that had faced criticism for perceived one-sided criticism of Israel during award ceremonies and accusations of antisemitism.
The future of Tuttle’s leadership remains uncertain pending the outcome of Thursday’s KBB supervisory board meeting.
