The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/berlin-international-film-festival/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:17:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Berlin International Film Festival | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/berlin-international-film-festival/ 32 32 At Berlinale, former hostages view film about their captivity rewritten after release https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-berlinale-former-hostages-view-film-about-their-captivity-rewritten-after-release/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 02:22:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3760029 Tom Shoval’s 'Letter to David' first aired at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival but was given a new ending and a second premiere after the release of David and Ariel Cunio

The post At Berlinale, former hostages view film about their captivity rewritten after release appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Dozens of film figures slam Berlin Film Festival’s ‘silence’ on ‘ongoing genocide’ in Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/dozens-of-film-figures-slam-berlin-film-festivals-silence-on-ongoing-genocide-in-gaza/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 04:54:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3756857 80 signatories rail at Berlinale, which they claim must 'fulfill its moral duty,' after festival jury's president, German director Wim Wenders, said, 'We cannot really enter the field of politics'

The post Dozens of film figures slam Berlin Film Festival’s ‘silence’ on ‘ongoing genocide’ in Gaza appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Berlinale chief urges ‘cool heads’ amid backlash over Wim Wenders’ no-politics comment https://www.timesofisrael.com/berlinale-head-urges-cool-heads-amid-backlash-over-wim-wenders-no-politics-comment/ Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:24:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3754879 Some guests pull out of event after famed German filmmaker said Berlin Film Festival has 'to stay out of politics'; festival director says artists are free to express opinions

The post Berlinale chief urges ‘cool heads’ amid backlash over Wim Wenders’ no-politics comment appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Jeers for Israel and a top award for a doc about hostages at Berlin film festival https://www.timesofisrael.com/jeers-for-israel-and-a-top-award-for-a-doc-about-hostages-at-berlin-film-festival/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:12:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3490601 As 'Holding Liat' wins top documentary prize and 'Letter to David' sees its world premiere, Berlinale organizers try to prevent repeat of last year's unmitigated anti-Israel displays

The post Jeers for Israel and a top award for a doc about hostages at Berlin film festival appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Berlin film festival screens documentary on Israeli hostage after 2024 controversy https://www.timesofisrael.com/berlin-film-festival-screens-documentary-on-israeli-hostage-after-2024-controversy/ Fri, 14 Feb 2025 21:49:47 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3482779 Israeli filmmaker Tom Shoval's 'A Letter to David' tells of David Cunio, who was kidnapped from Nir Oz by Hamas terrorists on October 7

The post Berlin film festival screens documentary on Israeli hostage after 2024 controversy appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> After 2024 row over Gaza one-sidedness, Berlin festival to show Israeli hostage film https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-2024-row-over-gaza-one-sidedness-berlin-festival-to-show-israeli-hostage-film/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 15:46:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3464753 Documentary 'A Letter to David' by director Tom Shoval recalls his friendship with Hamas captive David Cunio; organizers say Arab filmmakers have sought free speech assurances

The post After 2024 row over Gaza one-sidedness, Berlin festival to show Israeli hostage film appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Israeli journalist rails at West Bank ‘apartheid’ in Berlinale acceptance speech https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-journalist-rails-at-west-bank-apartheid-in-berlinale-acceptance-speech/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 03:56:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3233346 Yuval Abraham says he 'stands behind every word' of his remarks after winning two major prizes for 'No Other Land,' which he co-directed with Palestinian activist

The post Israeli journalist rails at West Bank ‘apartheid’ in Berlinale acceptance speech appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Germany to probe Berlin film festival after winners assail Israel over war in Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/germany-to-probe-berlin-film-festival-after-winners-assail-israel-over-war-in-gaza/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 03:16:18 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3233338 Government spokeswoman criticizes speakers at Berlinale for not mentioning Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack, following remarks that were denounced as antisemitic

The post Germany to probe Berlin film festival after winners assail Israel over war in Gaza appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Berlin Film Festival brings Israeli-Palestinian tensions into the spotlight https://www.timesofisrael.com/berlin-film-festival-brings-israeli-palestinian-tensions-into-the-spotlight/ Thu, 15 Feb 2024 11:07:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3224948 The Israel-Hamas war is likely to spark debates and demonstrations at the 2024 Berlinale, which will feature a film about Israeli settler violence

The post Berlin Film Festival brings Israeli-Palestinian tensions into the spotlight appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Golda Meir biopic skirts politics as current government faces growing scrutiny https://www.timesofisrael.com/golda-meir-biopic-skirts-politics-as-current-government-faces-growing-scrutiny/ Thu, 23 Feb 2023 08:49:05 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2958610 Star Helen Mirren says legendary former PM 'would have been utterly horrified' at legal overhaul, calls it 'the rise of dictatorship'

The post Golda Meir biopic skirts politics as current government faces growing scrutiny appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> ‘Golda’ director defends casting Helen Mirren: ‘She’s got the Jewish chops’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/golda-director-defends-casting-helen-mirren-shes-got-the-jewish-chops/ Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:56:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2957312 At Berlin film festival premiere, Guy Nattiv says he was 'surprised' by uproar over decision to pick non-Jewish actress for star role

The post ‘Golda’ director defends casting Helen Mirren: ‘She’s got the Jewish chops’ appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> ‘Golda’ star Helen Mirren says ex-PM would be ‘horrified’ by Israeli politics today https://www.timesofisrael.com/golda-star-helen-mirren-says-ex-pm-would-be-horrified-by-israeli-politics-today/ Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:56:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2957330 At Berlin film festival for biopic's premiere, British actress says government's efforts to upend Israel's judicial system mark 'the rise of dictatorship'

The post ‘Golda’ star Helen Mirren says ex-PM would be ‘horrified’ by Israeli politics today appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Iranian struggle for freedom takes on starring role at Berlin film festival https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-struggle-for-freedom-takes-on-starring-role-at-berlin-film-festival/ Sun, 19 Feb 2023 07:04:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2954802 Berlinale, long a champion of Iran's embattled directors, features several of their documentaries this year, including pair of movies exposing brutal jail conditions

The post Iranian struggle for freedom takes on starring role at Berlin film festival appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> ‘Helen became her on a spiritual and cellular level’; 1st clip released from ‘Golda’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/helen-became-her-on-a-spiritual-and-cellular-level-1st-clip-released-from-golda/ Sat, 18 Feb 2023 07:04:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2954216&preview=true&preview_id=2954216 Mirren 'adds a brilliant layer of soul, wisdom, humor and courage to the character of Golda,' says director Guy Nattiv amid controversy over casting

The post ‘Helen became her on a spiritual and cellular level’; 1st clip released from ‘Golda’ appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Golda Meir biopic starring Helen Mirren to debut at Berlin festival https://www.timesofisrael.com/golda-meir-biopic-starring-helen-mirren-to-debut-at-berlin-festival/ Fri, 13 Jan 2023 21:53:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2924955 'Golda' to be screened to audience for first time next month, after decision to cast non-Jewish actress in lead role generated controversy

The post Golda Meir biopic starring Helen Mirren to debut at Berlin festival appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]>