Tuttle is allowed to remain Berlinale boss – with guidelines

Tricia Tuttle remains head of the Berlinale, but has to accept guidelines. An “advisory forum” and the development of a code of conduct for all federal cultural events are planned, as Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer announced after a crisis meeting in the Chancellery. These are “recommendations” to strengthen the festival, to develop it further and to ensure social acceptance and economic stability.

The good news today is that an agreement has been reached with Ms. Tuttle and with the responsible supervisory board of the Federal Cultural Events in Berlin GmbH (KBB), said Weimer in the Bundestag’s Culture Committee.

At this year’s festival there were several debates about how to deal with the Middle East conflict. At the closing gala, the Syrian-Palestinian director Abdallah Alkhatib accused the federal government of being a partner in “the genocide in the Gaza Strip.” Israel denies the accusation of genocide, as does the federal government. Weimer and others condemned the director’s comments.

There was speculation for days about Tuttle’s replacement or withdrawal until the American made a public decision: she wanted to continue. She has a contract until 2029. However, Tuttle also insisted on “independence in program design and institutional management”.

When asked about the limits of free speech on stage, Tuttle said: “We live in a world that is deeply polarized and emotionally charged. But we act strictly within the applicable legal framework.” Reports about Tuttle’s possible replacement had triggered angry reactions in the cultural scene and solidarity with the director.