The Berlin Film Festival, also known as the Berlinale, has announced that Tricia Tuttle, the former head of the BFI London Film Festival, will be taking over as the new director starting in 2024. Tuttle will be replacing Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek, who have co-led the festival since 2020 and will step down after this year’s edition.
The Berlin Film Festival is the second biggest international film festival in the world, right after Cannes. It also hosts the European Film Market, a critical industry gathering where independent films are pitched and sold. So, no pressure for Tricia Tuttle or anything!
Tuttle has had quite the career leading up to this new role. She was the director of the BFI London Film Festival during a period of rapid growth, with audiences nearly doubling during her five-year tenure. She also worked as the festival’s deputy for five years before that, so she’s no stranger to the festival world. She was also the film program manager at BAFTA for five years. In other words, she knows her stuff.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Tuttle expressed her love for the Berlinale, calling it “glamorous, political, and provocative” and emphasizing its importance as a meeting place for the global film industry. Roth, Germany’s culture commissioner, also praised Tuttle’s clear ideas for the festival’s future and her 25 years of experience in the industry. Looks like Tuttle has big shoes to fill, but she’s more than ready for the challenge.
Tuttle was appointed by a six-member committee, including Oscar-winning director Edward Berger, producer Roman Paul, and actress and producer Sara Fazilat. So, it’s safe to say she has the stamp of approval from some heavy hitters.
But not everyone is on board with the changing of the guard. More than 400 filmmakers and talents, including Martin Scorsese and Kirsten Stewart, signed a petition to protest against the decision to replace Chatrian and Rissenbeek. It seems there’s some drama in the Berlinale world, and we can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
As for this year’s festival, Lupita Nyong’o, the Oscar-winning Kenyan-Mexican actor and filmmaker, will be presiding over the jury. And the 74th edition will run from February 15th to the 25th. Looks like it’s going to be an exciting year for the Berlin Film Festival!
In conclusion, Tricia Tuttle may have some big shoes to fill, but she’s more than up to the task. We can’t wait to see how she puts her stamp on the Berlinale, and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for all the exciting films and drama that the festival has in store. Cheers to a new era in Berlin Film Festival history!
