Art and culture always deal with both aesthetic and societal questions. Every year, the programme of the Berlin International Film Festival reflects this fact. The Berlinale is firmly committed to the struggle for sexual self-determination and against any and all forms of abuse.
The debate triggered by the Weinstein scandal is important and has led to the #MeToo movement. #MeToo has exposed the devastating extent of these sorts of unacceptable conditions. Beyond the subject of sexualised violence, the debate invites us to fundamentally challenge the power relationships inherent in our society. The international resonance that #MeToo has been met with has quickly made it obvious that the problem is not confined to Hollywood: across the world, the individuals affected by such abuse have found the courage to go public with their stories. In Germany as well, ever more voices can be heard calling out concrete incidents occurring in the film and media branches.
The subject is also present at the 2018 edition of the festival. The Berlinale sees itself as a forum where problems can be heard and impulses can be initiated, and welcomes the various events that are intended to contribute to concrete change.
Moreover, under the title “NO to Discrimination!”, the Berlinale would like to facilitate counselling for those affected. We will provide all of our festival visitors (both audience and industry guests) who experience or witness discrimination, harassment or abuse with contact partners and contact to counselling centres (anonymous and free of charge).
You can find details regarding this topic on our website at: https://www.berlinale.de/en/_extras/Anti-Discrimination.html
Events during the Berlinale
Panel discussion: Culture Wants Change – A Conversation on Sexual Harassment in Film, Television and Theatre
Representatives from the worlds of cinema and television will discuss what measures can be implemented to prevent sexual attacks or misconduct and improve the situation of those affected.
Monday, February 19, 2.00 – 5.00 pm
Location: TIPI at Kanzleramt, Große Querallee, 10557 Berlin
Language: German, with interpreters on hand for English and sign language
With Thomas Bellut (director of German television broadcaster ZDF, tbc), Michael Lehmann (Studio Hamburg Produktion Gruppe), Hans-Werner Meyer (Bundesverband Schauspiel e.V.), Barbara Rohm (ProQuote Film e.V.), Jasmin Tabatabai (actress), Karola Wille (director of Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, tbc), Natalia Wörner (actress)
Welcome speech: Dr. Katarina Barley (Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth; Interim Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs)
Hosts: initiated by Bundesverband Schauspiel (BFFS), with ProQuote Film e. V. and the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
Free admission
Closing the Gap. A Seminar With Creatives and Financiers on How to Take Action Towards 50/50 by 2020.
In the scope of this seminar, Daniela Elstner (CEO of Doc & Film International) will present the initiative “Speak Up!” and read her manifesto together with other initiators. “Speak up!” aims to encourage those affected by sexual harassment in the film industry to raise their voices. The official “Speak Up!” website will be launched during the Berlinale (www.speakupnow.eu). In addition to providing extensive information, the website will also feature counselling offers.
Saturday, February 17, at approximately 12.15 pm: Presentation “Speak Up!”
Location: Meistersaal, Köthener Straße 38 (S&U-Bahn Potsdamer Platz)
Language: English
Host: Swedish Film Institute, Women in Film and Television (WIFT) Germany, WIFT Nordic
Free admission for WIFT members. Tickets for non-members can be purchased through www.eventbrite.de.
Finally, we would also like to call attention to the presence of ProQuote Film at Berlinale 2018. Achieving equality for women in the film industry will lead with certainty to a comprehensive shift in the perception of sexism, abuses of power and the determination of gender roles – and thus also to changes in behaviour.
Chatelin Bruno 
