Tuttle to remain as Berlinale director with new code of conduct

Tricia Tuttle is to remain as director of the Berlinale film festival after agreeing to plans for an advisory council and a code of conduct, Germany's minister of state for culture said on Wednesday.

After a supervisory board meeting at the Chancellery in the German capital, Wolfram Weimer confirmed that Tuttle would continue leading the Berlinale, one of the world's top film festivals alongside Cannes and Venice, ending days of speculation over her role.

The dispute arose after the awards ceremony for this year's edition of the festival in February, which saw Syrian-Palestinian director Abdallah Al-Khatib accuse the German government on stage of being a partner to "genocide in the Gaza Strip."

The comments led Environment Minister Carsten Schneider to walk out of the event, calling them "unacceptable."

Israel's government denies committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, and the German government also rejects the accusation.

Germany's Bild tabloid reported last week that Tuttle was set to be replaced, but the US curator subsequently received huge support from the German and international cinema industry, with Berlinale staff and top directors signing open letters calling for her to remain in her position.

Tuttle, who took on the leadership of the festival in 2024 and has a contract until 2029, told dpa earlier this week that she wanted to continue.

"I am immensely proud of my team, the Festival and I want to continue the work we have started together in full trust and with institutional independence," she said.

In her view, this year's edition was strong, with public and industry attendance exceeding the record-breaking 2025 edition.

"Despite political turbulence, the festival itself demonstrated vitality, relevance and audience trust," Tuttle said.

After Wednesday's meeting in Berlin, Weimer said Tuttle has agreed to "recommendations" to strengthen the festival.

"The decision has been made that Ms Tuttle will continue," he said, adding that he was hopeful that the turmoil surrounding the Berlinale in recent weeks will come to an end.