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Berlin International Film Festival

Brothers David, Eitan and Ariel Cunio, from left, stand outside the Berlin theater Babylon before a screening of a documentary about their family, Feb. 20, 2026. (Toby Axelrod via JTA)
February 23, 2026, 4:22 am
At Berlinale, former hostages view film about their captivity rewritten after release
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
By Toby Axelrod
Sean Baker, third from left, Michelle Yeoh, Tricia Tuttle, Wim Wenders, Min Bahadur Bhamat, Bae Doona, Reinaldo Marcus Green, Ewa Puszczynska and Mitsuyo Miyazaki attend the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, February 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber).
February 18, 2026, 6:54 am
Dozens of film figures slam Berlin Film Festival’s ‘silence’ on ‘ongoing genocide’ in Gaza
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’
By AFP and ToI Staff
German director Wim Wenders attends a press conference of the International Jury of the 76th Berlinale, Berlin on February 12, 2026. (John MACDOUGALL / AFP)
February 15, 2026, 4:24 pm
Berlinale chief urges ‘cool heads’ amid backlash over Wim Wenders’ no-politics comment
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
By AFP
German actors and actresses hold photos of Israeli hostage David Cunio upon arrival at the opening of the International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, February 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
February 25, 2025, 4:12 pm
Jeers for Israel and a top award for a doc about hostages at Berlin film festival
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
By Toby Axelrod
German actors and actresses hold photos of Israeli hostage David Cunio upon arrival at the opening of the International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, February 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
February 14, 2025, 11:49 pm
Berlin film festival screens documentary on Israeli hostage after 2024 controversy
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
By AFP and ToI Staff
David Cunio was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023 (Courtesy)
January 21, 2025, 5:46 pm
After 2024 row over Gaza one-sidedness, Berlin festival to show Israeli hostage film
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
By AFP
Israeli director Yuval Abraham (L) and Palestinian director Basel Adra speak on stage after having received the Berlinale documentary award for 'No Other Land' during the awards ceremony of the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival, on February 24, 2024 in Berlin. (John MacDougall/AFP)
February 27, 2024, 5:56 am
Israeli journalist rails at West Bank ‘apartheid’ in Berlinale acceptance speech
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
By Toby Axelrod
Filmmakers Ben Russell (L) and France's Guillaume Cailleau (2ndL) stand on stage while receiving the Encounters Award for Best Film for their film "Direct Action" during the awards ceremony of the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival, on February 24, 2024 in Berlin. (John MacDougall/AFP)
February 27, 2024, 5:16 am
Germany to probe Berlin film festival after winners assail Israel over war in Gaza
Government spokeswoman criticizes speakers at Berlinale for not mentioning Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack, following remarks that were denounced as antisemitic
By AFP and ToI Staff
The red carpet is rolled out in front of the Berlinale Palast ahead of the Berlinale Film Festival, in Berlin, Germany, February 13, 2024. (Jens Kalaene/dpa via AP)
February 15, 2024, 1:07 pm
Berlin Film Festival brings Israeli-Palestinian tensions into the spotlight
The Israel-Hamas war is likely to spark debates and demonstrations at the 2024 Berlinale, which will feature a film about Israeli settler violence
By AP
Helen Mirren as Golda Meir in Guy Nattiv's film 'Golda.' (Jasper Wolf)
February 23, 2023, 10:49 am
Golda Meir biopic skirts politics as current government faces growing scrutiny
Star Helen Mirren says legendary former PM ‘would have been utterly horrified’ at legal overhaul, calls it ‘the rise of dictatorship’
By Gabe Friedman
Israeli director Guy Nattiv and English actor Helen Mirren (R) attend a photocall for the film "Golda," at the Berlin International Film Festival, February 20, 2023 in Berlin. (Ronny Hartmann/AFP)
February 21, 2023, 4:56 pm
‘Golda’ director defends casting Helen Mirren: ‘She’s got the Jewish chops’
At Berlin film festival premiere, Guy Nattiv says he was ‘surprised’ by uproar over decision to pick non-Jewish actress for star role
By Deborah Cole
British actress Helen Mirren arrives on the red carpet ahead of the premiere of the film 'Golda,' at the Berlin International Film Festival, February 20, 2023 in Berlin. (John MacDougall/AFP)
February 21, 2023, 4:56 pm
‘Golda’ star Helen Mirren says ex-PM would be ‘horrified’ by Israeli politics today
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’
By Deborah Cole
Berlinale Executive Director Mariette Rissenbeek, US actress and Berlinale Jury President Kristen Stewart, Iranian-French actress and jury member Golshifteh Farahani, and others hold placards reading "Woman Life Freedom" during a protest in solidarity with protesters in Iran, on the red carpet at the Berlinale on February 18, 2023, in Berlin. (John MacDougall/AFP)
February 19, 2023, 9:04 am
Iranian struggle for freedom takes on starring role at Berlin film festival
Berlinale, long a champion of Iran’s embattled directors, features several of their documentaries this year, including pair of movies exposing brutal jail conditions
By Deborah Cole
Helen Mirren as Golda Meir in HBO's 'Golda.' (Jasper Wolf)
February 18, 2023, 9:04 am
‘Helen became her on a spiritual and cellular level’; 1st clip released from ‘Golda’
Mirren ‘adds a brilliant layer of soul, wisdom, humor and courage to the character of Golda,’ says director Guy Nattiv amid controversy over casting
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Helen Mirren as Golda Meir in HBO's 'Golda.' (Jasper Wolf)
January 13, 2023, 11:53 pm
Golda Meir biopic starring Helen Mirren to debut at Berlin festival
‘Golda’ to be screened to audience for first time next month, after decision to cast non-Jewish actress in lead role generated controversy
By AFP
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