Tom Shoval Backs Berlinale Director Amid Potential Dismissal
Israeli filmmaker Tom Shoval has publicly voiced his support for Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle, as reports surface of a potential dismissal initiated by Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimar. Shoval’s statement, shared on Instagram, praises Tuttle’s leadership and her decision to screen his documentary, A Letter to David, at the festival.
Support Stemming from ‘A Letter to David’ Screening
Shoval’s support is rooted in Tuttle’s commitment to showcasing A Letter to David, a film documenting the abduction of David Cunio from Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, by Hamas. The film follows Cunio, who was released after 738 days in captivity, and his family. Shoval highlighted Tuttle’s decision to include the film in the Berlinale lineup even while Cunio and his brother Ariel were still hostages, calling her a “role model for cultural leadership” and praising her “visionary” and “cosmopolitan” perspective.
Tuttle’s Recognition of Human Suffering
Shoval emphasized that Tuttle “saw beyond politics” and recognized the human suffering of the Cunio family. He stated that she understood the urgency of giving them a voice and acknowledged the moral responsibility of the film world to advocate for their release. Following David Cunio’s release, Tuttle invited the film back to the festival with a modern ending, and Shoval described a deeply emotional meeting with Tuttle and the Cunio family, stating they “felt like family.”
Controversy Surrounding Berlinale Leadership
The public statement comes amid reports that Weimar is planning to dismiss Tuttle as head of the Berlinale. Weimar has stated that the Berlinale “is not a place for hate speech, threats and anti-Semitism” and that “hatred of Israel must not be allowed to run wild there, especially not financed with taxpayers’ money.” Reports indicate that Weimar and Tuttle have agreed on the need for new leadership at the festival.
Background on ‘A Letter to David’
A Letter to David, directed by Tom Shoval, is a documentary that builds upon his previous work, the 2013 film Youth, which featured David and his twin brother Eitan. The new film combines excerpts from Youth with unseen footage and interviews with the Cunio family to create a tribute to David Cunio and raise awareness of his captivity. The film premiered at the Berlinale on February 13, 2025, and an updated version was screened at the 76th Berlinale on February 22, 2026, in the presence of David and Ariel Cunio, receiving a standing ovation.