Pro-Palestinian Supporters Stage Protest At Berlinale’s European Film Market: Unfurl Large Banners, Chant Slogans

Melanie Goodfellow
·2 min read
65

A group of pro-Palestinian supporters staged a protest against Israel’s ongoing military action in the Gaza Strip in the main Gropius Bau venue of the Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market on Sunday.

About 50 people entered the ground floor of the main atrium shouting, “Stop the genocide”, while large banners were unfurled from the galleries above bearing the message “Lights, Camera, Genocide” with an image of a clapperboard dripping in blood.

More from Deadline

The Berlinale had been bracing for potential protests around the Israel-Gaza conflict.

In the lead up to the festival and market, contracted festival workers released an open letter calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, the “release of all hostages,” and “stronger institutional leadership,” in response to what they described as the “current assault on Palestinian life.”

A protest within the market was less expected. The Gropius Bau exhibition space can only be accessed by badge-holders which suggests the protests were staged by registered industry professionals.

Video shot by a Deadline colleague shows the protests unfolding.

After the banners were unfurled, the number of protestors swelled with people clapping and chanting “Palestine Free”. Police were reported to have arrived at the exhibition hall to clear the crowd.

The protests come amid growing calls for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza, where close to 29,000 people have been killed by Israeli bombing of the territory as well as troops on the ground, according to the health ministry of Hamas-run Gaza.

The Israeli military action in Gaza Strip is in response to Hamas terror attacks on Israel on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people, most of them civilians, were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken.

Around 130 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 30 believed dead, according to Israeli estimates.

Hopes that a ceasefire would be achieved in talks in Qatar this weekend were fading on Sunday, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he would press ahead with plans for a ground invasion of Rafah, in the very south of the Gaza Strip.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.