Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton, Angeliki Papoulia, Saleh Bakri, Tatiana Maslany, and other industry professionals are among those condemning the silence of the renowned festival held in the German capital.

"We expect that the institutions of our industry refuse to be complicit in the terrible violence that continues to be exercised against the Palestinian people," states the letter obtained by the specialized media, in which they urge the festival to condemn "the ongoing Israeli genocide against Palestinians."

The letter arrives in the midst of the festival's edition and following statements by jury president, German director Wim Wenders, who declared at the inaugural press conference that they should stay out of politics, after being asked about Gaza and about the support of the German government—the festival's main financier—for Israel.

Wenders' response generated criticism within the industry, as well as rejection from other artists who even canceled their participation in the event, including Indian author Arundhati Roy, who described the comments as "unacceptable."

"We fervently disagree with the statement by the president of the 2026 Berlinale jury, Wim Wenders, that making films is 'the opposite of politics.' One cannot be separated from the other," the document stated.