Berlin Film Festival Unveils New Selection Committee Under Tricia Tuttle’s Leadership

As a seasoned film enthusiast with over two decades of immersion in the world of cinema, I am thrilled by the fresh, diverse, and knowledgeable team Tricia Tuttle has assembled for the Berlin Film Festival under her leadership. The new-look selection board, led by Mathilde Henrot, Jessica Kiang, Jacqueline Nsiah, and Elad Samorzik, brings a wealth of experience from various corners of the globe – Locarno, Belfast, Accra, and Jerusalem.


With Tricia Tuttle now at the helm, the Berlin Film Festival has revealed its selection committee members for various sections such as Competition, Special, and Perspectives, in preparation for the upcoming festival under her leadership. This will be Tuttle’s first time leading the event, following the departures of Carlo Chatrian and Mariëtte Rissenbeek.

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to be part of the refreshed selection board. I bring my experience as a programmer and producer, having contributed to Festival Scope as its co-founder. From 2018 to 2024, I was an integral member of the Locarno Film Festival’s selection committee. Since 2012, I’ve also been involved in programming for the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Jessica Kiang is a movie critic, essayist, and festival programmer who calls Berlin home. She frequently shares her film reviews with EbMaster. With nearly 15 years of experience in the field, Jessica began her role as the international programmer for the Belfast Film Festival starting from 2022.

I myself am Jacqueline Nsiah, an enthusiast deeply rooted in the realms of film festivals, art, and culture, residing in vibrant Accra, Ghana. My professional journey has led me to assume the role of project manager at the esteemed Goethe-Institut, and in 2023, I was honored to be part of the prestigious Berlinale selection committee.

Elad Samorzik serves as a film programmer, and he held the position of Artistic Director for ten years at the Jerusalem Film Festival, from 2014 up until 2024.

Each year, around 20,000 international experts visit Berlinale, with over 324,000 members of the public also attending, as stated by Tuttle – a renowned American film journalist and curator who previously oversaw the BFI London Film Festival during its rapid expansion. Appointed by Germany’s culture minister Claudia Roth, her goal was to transform Berlinale into a significant competitor to Cannes and Venice, while preserving its unique focus on art cinema.

“She explained that we present movies in our local areas, aiming for them to resonate with global viewers. Being involved in such a process is truly an honor, as we recognize that cinema – being both captivatingly colorful and critically essential – plays a significant role.”

She emphasized that an essential factor for this committee is to assemble a team boasting extensive knowledge and connections, while also incorporating diverse viewpoints and preferences.

“She went on to say, ‘This community is filled with a heartwarming enthusiasm for various movie genres, and they can’t wait to spread their cinematic passion.'”

The committee, led by Jacqueline Lyanga and Michael Stütz (with Tuttle overseeing), will be responsible for choosing the films in contention for both the Golden Bear and Silver Bear awards as well as those to be shown as Berlinale Special Presentations. Additionally, current section leaders will help make these selections. The committee will also pick films competing in the newly created Perspectives section for the Best First Feature Award and for the nominees of the Best Documentary Award.

The committee will additionally consist of a team of delegates and consultants, such as film critic and programmer Jin Park, who will offer insights on genre films, and programmer Rowan Woods. Along with Berlin-based curator and programmer Ana David, Glasgow-based film programmer and festival organizer Kate Taylor, Berlin-based curator Rabih El-Khoury, and journalist and curator Toby Ashraf will also be part of the team, serving as advisors for the initial selection process.

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2024-08-22 14:16