The drama never stops at the Berlinale. This would make an interesting movie or at least a Netflix series. Only four days after the end of the 76th edition, German press is reporting, Tricia Tuttle after only two years at the helm, is being dismissed over the handling of the festival concerning antisemitism. The storm hit the shore when a photo of the American appeared in papers with a group of filmmakers holding the Palestinian flag.
After Abdallah Alkhatib’s acceptance speech on stage, the spark that became a fire in Potsdamer Platz. The Berlinale was not in the politic crosshairs. German CDU Cultural Minister Wolfram Weimer made it clear on his displeasure with the handling of the controversial incident, calling a special meeting on Thursday. The Berlinale positioned itself as the most political film gathering among the big festivals openly championing many causes from Iran dissidents to underdog struggles. While noble, perhaps, the tonal posturing came at a price.
In this time of polarizing views and opinions that stance looked untenable to the point of self-destruction. As filmmakers and more importantly Hollywood abandoned Berlin’s February cinema gathering years ago while organizers looked for soft remedies for great challenges. The latest failure will only reconfirm its diminishing relevance on the film circuit.
There is certainly going to be a vacant luxury Airbnb in Berlin, again. The question is: Who would want to take on running the Berlinale? Let the job seeker beware.
Black and Paper did not attend the 2026 Berlinale because the press team rejected our credentials over the past coverage and opinion.