Over 80 prominent film industry figures, including Oscar-winning actors Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, have signed an open letter criticizing the Berlin Film Festival for its “silence” on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The letter, published on February 17, 2026, expresses dismay at the festival’s “institutional silence” and “involvement in censoring artists who oppose Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza”. The signatories, all past or current Berlinale participants, argue that the festival has a moral duty to clearly state its opposition to Israel’s actions and end its involvement in shielding Israel from criticism.
The controversy began when Berlinale jury president Wim Wenders stated that filmmakers should “stay out of politics”, sparking backlash from the film community. The letter counters that filmmaking and politics cannot be separated, citing the festival’s past statements on atrocities in Iran and Ukraine. The signatories include notable directors like Mike Leigh, Lukas Dhont, and Adam McKay, as well as actors like Alia Shawkat and Brian Cox. The festival’s director, Tricia Tuttle, has defended artists’ right to free speech, while Arundhati Roy, an Indian novelist, withdrew from the festival in protest of Wenders’ comments.
