#berlinale

February 18, 2026 - Tunisian Director Kaouther Ben Hania refused to accept the "Most Valuable Film" award at Berlin’s Cinema for Peace ceremony for her film "The Voice of Hind Rajab."

In protest of an Israeli general being honored at the same event for his role in the Canadian documentary The Road Between Us about his actions during the 7 October 2023 attacks, she left the trophy behind, stating that recognition holds no value while a genocide is still unfolding without accountability.

More than 80 actors, directors and other artists who have taken part in the Berlin Film Festival, including Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, signed an open letter to the organisers published on Tuesday calling for them to take a clear stance on Israel's war in Gaza.

"We call on the Berlinale to fulfil its moral duty and clearly state its opposition to Israel's genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against Palestinians," "We are appalled by Berlinale's institutional silence," said the letter, which was also signed by actors Adam McKay, Alia Shawkat, Brian Cox, and director Mike Leigh.

It said organisers had not met demands to issue a statement affirming Palestinians' right to life and committing to uphold the freedom of artists to speak out on the issue. "This is the least it can - and should - do," the letter said.

British singer Charli XCX presented her documentary film The Moment at Berlinale, an international festival in Berlin. During her public speech at the festival, the artist thanked the festival for supporting creators with a clear political and social position, emphasizing that her team wants to work specifically in an environment where “bold voices” and public discussion matter.

The film’s afterparty was organized by the Berlin project Dance Hole, whose founder is Anastasia Shevtsova (@Petit on Instagram).

Her mother, Zhanna Shevtsova, is the president of the Russian foundation “Tradition,” which cooperates with state cultural structures of the Russian Federation and carries out "cultural activities" with children in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine — in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol.

This foundation runs "educational projects" and also provides "humanitarian support" to cultural centers for children in the temporarily occupied territories, while in its own materials it calls these children “children from the new territories” of the Russian Federation.

Nina herself did not condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, only posting a black square with the Russian word “Peace,” and later saying in a statement that she is “against all forms of violence” and “prays for peace,” while also saying she does not think it necessary to speak publicly about political issues and that politics is not her field.

So, to speak, her loving mother handles that part — when she breaks Ukrainian children, oh sorry, “children from the new territories of Russia,” who supposedly are not anything else.

The Ukrainian community wrote to Charli XCX even before the afterparty was organized about Nina’s connections, but Charli XCX decided to ignore it and additionally scheduled the release of The Moment in Russia in April.

Hopefully some of the abducted Ukrainian children will be able to go see it, because, one way or another, Charli XCX wants to support Russia in its crimes.

For more details:

Sophie at the premiere of her new film ‘Mouse’ in Berlin. Photos from watolock on Twitter [x] [x]

Katie McGrath at the premiere of Everybody Digs Bill Evans, during the 76th Berlin International Film Festival ( @berlinale ), at the Berlinale Palast - february 13, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. 🖤✨️

Photos: Getty Images / Berlinale website / Abaca Press/Alamy Live News. 📸

All credits to their respective owners.

Quick art of Sebastian with his Silver \bear of best acting at the Berlin Film Festival, congratulations sweetie, we love you <3

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