Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton among those to condemn Berlinale’s ‘silence’ on Gaza

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondentFebruary 17, 2026 at 08:30 PM

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More than 80 current and former Berlinale participants, including Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, have signed an open letter criticizing the film festival's perceived "silence" on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The controversy began after jury president Wim Wenders suggested filmmakers should avoid politics, sparking backlash and the withdrawal of Arundhati Roy. Festival director Tricia Tuttle defended artists' right to free speech but cautioned against expecting them to comment on every political issue. The open letter signatories accuse the Berlinale of censoring artists and failing to condemn Israel's actions against Palestinians, citing previous statements on other global issues like Ukraine. They urge the festival to explicitly oppose Israel's actions and end any perceived protection from criticism.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Ukraine 40% Saleh Bakri 50% Angeliki Papoulia 50% Adam McKay 60% Arundhati Roy 60% Tricia Tuttle ×270% Wim Wenders ×270% Javier Bardem 80% Tilda Swinton 80% Israel ×380% Berlinale ×690% Gaza Strip 90%

Keywords

berlinale 100% gaza 90% film festival 80% israel-gaza conflict 70% political discourse 60% wim wenders 50% free speech 50% censoring artists 40% open letter 40%