The closing of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival was overshadowed by a diplomatic scandal. Syrian-Palestinian director Abdallah Alkhatib accused the German government of complicity in the "genocide in Gaza," leading to Minister Carsten Schneider demonstratively walking out of the gala. This event overshadowed the jury verdict, led by Wim Wenders, which awarded the Golden Bear to the politically engaged drama "Yellow Letters."

Golden Bear for İlker Çatak

The German-Turkish director received the top prize for his drama about censorship titled "Yellow Letters."

Diplomatic scandal at the gala

Minister Carsten Schneider walked out of the hall after accusations made by director Abdallah Alkhatib against Germany.

Abdallah Alkhatib's demonstration

The debut award winner accused the German government of complicity in the genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Polish presence on the jury

Polish producer Ewa Puszczyńska was among the judges evaluating the competition films.

This year's Berlinale awards gala turned into an arena for sharp political demonstrations, sparking outrage in German government circles. The main flashpoint was the speech by Abdallah Alkhatib, whose film "Chronicles From the Siege" was honored with the Best Debut award. The director, wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh, directly labeled Israel's military actions as genocide and called the German authorities its partners. In response to these words, Carsten Schneider, the minister present in the hall, left the ceremony in a gesture of protest. Since its founding in 1951, the Berlinale has been considered the most political among the major film festivals, often becoming a venue for ideological manifestos, which in the past led to boycotts by Eastern Bloc countries during the Cold War. „The German federal government is a partner in the genocide being committed by Israel in Gaza.” — Abdallah Alkhatib Amid the political storm, the jury, which included Polish producer Ewa Puszczyńska, announced the winner of the main competition. The Golden Bear went to İlker Çatak for his film "Yellow Letters." The work analyzes the mechanisms of censorship and authoritarianism, fitting into this year's festival profile promoting engaged cinema. Jury president Wim Wenders tried to calm the mood, delivering a speech about cinema as a tool more resistant to oblivion than the internet. However, winners of side sections and other laureates repeatedly returned to the topic of the Middle East conflict in their speeches, which artistic director Tricia Tuttle described as part of democratic discourse, despite clear tension among the officials. 22 — films competed in this year's main competition Critics note that the festival found itself in a difficult position between artistic freedom and political neutrality. While some praise the courage of the creators, others – including leading German media – accuse the organizers of one-sided messaging and a lack of condemnation of the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, during the winners' speeches. The tense atmosphere of the gala closing the 76th edition of the event will certainly spark a long-term debate over the boundaries of political engagement in culture.

Mentioned People

  • Abdallah Alkhatib — Syrian-Palestinian director, debut award winner, author of genocide accusations.
  • Carsten Schneider — German minister from the SPD, who left the gala in protest.
  • Ilker Çatak — Director of the film "Yellow Letters," winner of the Golden Bear.