Berlin Film Festival management withdraws invitations sent to AfD party members

The Berlinale management has announced that the invitations sent to far-right AfD party politicians to attend the festival's opening have been cancelled. The festival emphasized that efforts against the far-right are "part of the Berlinale's DNA."

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Berlin Film Festival management withdraws invitations sent to AfD party members

The management of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), which will be held in Berlin, the capital of Germany, from February 15-25, has announced that the invitations sent to politicians from the far-right and populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to attend the festival's opening have been cancelled.

The statement included the expression, "The Berlinale management has decided today to cancel the invitations of the five AfD politicians who were previously invited."

DISCRIMINATORY ATTITUDES FOLLOWED WITH CONCERN

In the statement, which emphasized that a free and tolerant society and efforts against the far-right are part of the Berlinale's DNA, it was reported that the Berlinale management has repeatedly stated that it follows the rise of antisemitism, anti-Muslim sentiment, hate speech, and other anti-democratic and discriminatory attitudes in Germany with concern.

'WE HAVE CANCELLED THE INVITATIONS OF AFD POLITICIANS'

The statement expressed that the AfD and many of its members and parliamentarians hold views that contradict the fundamental values of democracy.

Festival directors Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek also stated in a joint statement that, especially in light of recent information regarding the AfD, it is important to take a stance in favor of democracy, noting, "For this reason, we have today cancelled the invitations of all previously invited AfD politicians in writing and informed them that they are not welcome at the Berlinale."

A total of 233 films from 80 countries will be screened this year as part of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, which will begin on February 15 with the screening of director Tim Mielants' film "Small Things Like These".

News Source: 12punto