Over 80 film workers slam Berlin festival’s silence on Israel’s Gaza war

Over 80 film workers, including Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, have criticized the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) for its perceived silence and "anti-Palestinian racism" regarding the conflict in Gaza. In an open letter published on February 18, 2026, the signatories, all Berlinale alumni, expressed dismay at the festival's alleged censorship of artists critical of Israel and its perceived inaction compared to its stances on Ukraine and Iran. The letter specifically cited comments made by jury president Wim Wenders, who stated the festival should "stay out of politics." The film workers also referenced instances from the previous year's festival where filmmakers speaking in support of Palestine were reportedly reprimanded, with one allegedly investigated by police. The signatories are urging the Berlinale to publicly condemn "Israel's genocide" in Gaza.

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.