More than 80 actors, directors, and film industry professionals, including Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton, and Adam McKay, have signed an open letter criticizing the Berlin International Film Festival for its perceived silence regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The letter, reported by Variety and Far Out Magazine, accuses the Berlinale of “censoring” artists who have spoken out on the issue and “shielding Israel from criticism.” Signatories, which also include Angeliki Papoulia, Saleh Bakri, Tatiana Maslany, Peter Mullan, and Tobias Menzies, expressed “fervent disagreement” with remarks made by festival jury president Wim Wenders, who suggested filmmakers “should stay out of politics” during the festival’s opening press conference.
Wenders’ comments, made in response to questions about the Israel-Gaza conflict, sparked immediate backlash. The letter argues that separating art from politics is impossible, stating, “You cannot separate one from another.” It also references a pledge by over 5,000 film workers to boycott collaborations with “complicit Israeli film companies and institutions.”
The signatories further pointed to the Berlinale’s past statements concerning other international crises, specifically Ukraine, and called on the festival to “fulfil its moral duty” by explicitly opposing “Israel’s genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against Palestinians.”
The controversy unfolded against a backdrop of politically charged interactions at the festival. According to reports, actors Neil Patrick Harris and Rupert Grint were questioned about fascism, while Michelle Yeoh was asked for her views on the political climate in the United States. Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, presenting a music documentary, reportedly received applause after stating, “What a time to be alive, where you can both make a documentary about one of your favourite bands and fight fascism at the same time.”
Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle defended the right of artists to express their views but cautioned against expecting them to respond to every political question. She stated that artists “should not be expected to comment on all broader debates” or “speak on every political issue raised to them unless they want to.” Tuttle also emphasized the challenges of providing concise responses to complex issues during press conferences.
As of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Berlinale has not issued a further statement addressing the open letter or altering its position on the matter.
