Over 80 notable figures from the film industry, including Oscar winners Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, have united to sign an open letter expressing criticism towards the Berlin Film Festival for its “silence” on the situation in Gaza.

The letter’s signatories voiced their disapproval, stating they were “appalled” by the festival’s “institutional silence” and “dismayed” by its role in “censoring artists who oppose Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”

This statement was released following comments made by the Berlinale’s jury president, German director Wim Wenders, who, when asked about Gaza last week, remarked, “We cannot really enter the field of politics.”

Wenders’ remarks sparked a backlash, leading to actions such as the withdrawal of award-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy from the festival. Roy had been scheduled to present a restored version of her 1989 film, “In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones.”

Among the actors who endorsed the letter were Brian Cox and Alia Shawkat, while respected directors like British filmmaker Mike Leigh and American director Adam McKay also lent their support.

The list of signatories includes many artists with strong ties to the Berlin Film Festival. Notably, Tilda Swinton herself received the prestigious Honorary Golden Bear award at last year’s event.

They said they “fervently disagree” with Wenders’ comments, arguing that filmmaking and politics cannot be separated.

“Just as the festival has made clear statements in the past about atrocities carried out against people in Iran and Ukraine, we call on the Berlinale to fulfil its moral duty and clearly state its opposition to Israel’s genocide,” the letter adds.

The signatories took exception not only at the Berlinale’s stance of not engaging on the issue of Israel’s action in Gaza, but also “the German state’s key role in enabling it”.

When asked about Germany’s support for Israel at a press conference on Thursday, Wenders said filmmakers had “to stay out of politics”.

“We have to do the work of people, not the work of politicians,” he said.

On Saturday, the Berlinale put out a statement defending Wenders from the subsequent “media storm”, suggesting that his remarks had been taken out of context.

Festival director Tricia Tuttle said that artists “are free to exercise their right of free speech in whatever way they choose” and should not “be expected to speak on every political issue raised to them unless they want to”.

In 2024, the festival’s documentary award went to No Other Land, which follows the dispossession of Palestinian communities in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, in which more than 1,200 people were killed, sparked the devastating two-year war that saw Israel destroy most of Gaza and kill more than 70,000 people, according to health authorities in the territory.

In August, Germany imposed a partial arms embargo on Israel, which was lifted in November after the announcement of what has proved to be a fragile ceasefire for Gaza.

A United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which does not speak on behalf of the UN as a whole and has been sharply criticised by Israel, concluded in September that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza.

Israel is separately defending a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has ordered provisional measures but has yet to issue a final ruling.

Israel has repeatedly denied committing genocide in Gaza, saying it has the right to defend itself.

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