#berlinale

[artfilmfan]

A journalist at Berlin Film Festival is exposing certain people from the film business simply by asking them a question about Gaza at the press conferences. First it was Wenders, then Neil Patrick Harris (not that i expected much from an Israeli Pride ambassador, classical genocide pinkwashing), now Ethan Hawke. All declining to answer a very simple question. Wenders and Harris saying they dont do "politics" (as if genocide is a political thing, imagine saying the same for the Holocaust) and Hawke even saying that the journalist has a political agenda and that he has another (well now we know Ethan what your agenda is). How more can Gaza expose the moral rot of some people at this point? Many of them claiming to be "activists" or people doing films about social justice. Except when it comes to Palestinians. Then its silence, declining to answer questions (Ethan even said once he's unafraid of talking about anything) or outright defending the perpetrators. Cowardice doesn't even begin to describe such mentality. Even after everything that's happened, absolutely nothing has changed. The complicity of so many people is staggering. If they think people will simply forget about it all or their disgraceful stance in a few years and continue to support their work, they're very wrong.

[kropotkindersurprise]

February 18, 2026 - Tunisian Director Kaouther Ben Hania refused to accept the "Most Valuable Film" award at Berlin’s Cinema for Peace ceremony for her film "The Voice of Hind Rajab."

In protest of an Israeli general being honored at the same event for his role in the Canadian documentary The Road Between Us about his actions during the 7 October 2023 attacks, she left the trophy behind, stating that recognition holds no value while a genocide is still unfolding without accountability.

More than 80 actors, directors and other artists who have taken part in the Berlin Film Festival, including Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, signed an open letter to the organisers published on Tuesday calling for them to take a clear stance on Israel's war in Gaza.

"We call on the Berlinale to fulfil its moral duty and clearly state its opposition to Israel's genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against Palestinians," "We are appalled by Berlinale's institutional silence," said the letter, which was also signed by actors Adam McKay, Alia Shawkat, Brian Cox, and director Mike Leigh.

It said organisers had not met demands to issue a statement affirming Palestinians' right to life and committing to uphold the freedom of artists to speak out on the issue. "This is the least it can - and should - do," the letter said.

This comes after award-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy pulled out of the festival over jury president Wim Wenders's comments that cinema should "stay out of politics" when asked about Gaza, calling his statement “morally unacceptable”. [video]/[article]

[thealieninhiding]

Katie McPookie

[wordswithoutaworld]

The afterparty for Charli XCX’s film was organized by the daughter of the president of a foundation that helps kidnap and break the identity of Ukrainian children

British singer Charli XCX presented her documentary film The Moment at Berlinale, an international festival in Berlin. During her public speech at the festival, the artist thanked the festival for supporting creators with a clear political and social position, emphasizing that her team wants to work specifically in an environment where “bold voices” and public discussion matter.

The film’s afterparty was organized by the Berlin project Dance Hole, whose founder is Anastasia Shevtsova (@Petit on Instagram).

Her mother, Zhanna Shevtsova, is the president of the Russian foundation “Tradition,” which cooperates with state cultural structures of the Russian Federation and carries out "cultural activities" with children in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine — in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol.

This foundation runs "educational projects" and also provides "humanitarian support" to cultural centers for children in the temporarily occupied territories, while in its own materials it calls these children “children from the new territories” of the Russian Federation.

Nina herself did not condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, only posting a black square with the Russian word “Peace,” and later saying in a statement that she is “against all forms of violence” and “prays for peace,” while also saying she does not think it necessary to speak publicly about political issues and that politics is not her field.

So, to speak, her loving mother handles that part — when she breaks Ukrainian children, oh sorry, “children from the new territories of Russia,” who supposedly are not anything else.

The Ukrainian community wrote to Charli XCX even before the afterparty was organized about Nina’s connections, but Charli XCX decided to ignore it and additionally scheduled the release of The Moment in Russia in April.

Hopefully some of the abducted Ukrainian children will be able to go see it, because, one way or another, Charli XCX wants to support Russia in its crimes.

For more details:

How a Berlin Afterparty for Charli XCX Leads Back to Russian Operations in Occupied Ukraine

Charli XCX attended a Berlin afterparty organized by Anastasia Shevtsova, whose family ties involve work in occupied Ukraine.

[mysharona1987]

[renaissancefleabag]

Sophie at the premiere of her new film ‘Mouse’ in Berlin. Photos from watolock on Twitter [x] [x]

Her new haircut truly has sent me into the great beyond!! 😍🥵😭

[kmbra]

Katie McGrath at the premiere of Everybody Digs Bill Evans, during the 76th Berlin International Film Festival ( @berlinale ), at the Berlinale Palast - february 13, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. 🖤✨️

Photos: Getty Images / Berlinale website / Abaca Press/Alamy Live News. 📸

All credits to their respective owners.

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[punkbarnes2]

Quick art of Sebastian with his Silver \bear of best acting at the Berlin Film Festival, congratulations sweetie, we love you <3

Reminding that my commissions are still open babies, and you can also support me on Ko-fi

And the online store will be fully available soon <3