Berlinale appoints co-directors of film programs as part of new executive team | News

The Berlin Film Festival has named Jacqueline Lyanga and Michael Stutz co-directors of its film programs as part of its new executive team.

The duo was appointed by the new Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle. They will work with Tuttle to curate the Berlinale’s competition and special sections, including the special Berlinale Gala, and will lead the broader team in shaping the overall film selection.

Stutz will continue in his current role as Panorama Section Head along with his new associate director of programming.

Tuttle also made three new executive appointments under a new management structure announced in April.

Experienced Berlinale director Florian Weghorn becomes the festival’s first chief of staff from July 1. Weghorn has held several curatorial and management positions at the Berlinale since 2002, and joins his new position from program manager at Berlinale Talents. The festival will soon start recruiting for his successor.

Corporate Finance Director Tommy Kommer becomes Director of Finance and Business Operations, supporting the management of the administration and IT departments.

Miriam Reimers becomes director of operations and production of the Berlinale. It will oversee the delivery of the audience program, refine the Berlinale’s long-term location strategy, provide production support and security for red carpet events at the Berlinale Palast and other cinemas, as well as accreditation and protocol.

The festival is also looking for a director of communications and brand, whose responsibilities will include overseeing “the development of our crisis communications strategy and brand reputation management.”

“One of my main goals is to revitalize the ways in which the Berlinale connects with a sense of place, to leverage the strengths of our incredible home city,” Tuttle said. “If we can do this while building stronger links between the public film program and the European film market and marketplace, we can make the festival even more impactful for audiences, as well as for the important films, filmmakers and rights holders who entrust us with their premieres.”

In 2022, Lyanga became a US delegate to the Berlinale. Thanks to this role, she strengthened contacts with the American film industry and filmmakers, helped in searching for films and prepared a screening tour on the West Coast of the Berlinale.

According to the festival, the new structure is intended to strengthen cooperation and efficiency and improve communication and strategic planning.