Berlin Film Festival Ends Partnership with X

The Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale) has announced it will sever ties with the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by December 31, 2024, after a 15-year relationship. The festival, which will celebrate its 75th edition in February 2025, did not specify reasons for its departure, but concerns about disinformation and abusive content on the platform—heightened since Elon Musk's acquisition in 2022—are believed to be factors. Berlinale's announcement follows a similar decision by Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera, who cited a loss of desire to remain on a platform misaligned with his values. The festival plans to redirect its social media efforts to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and its website. Musk's controversial political engagement, particularly his support for figures like Donald Trump, has also contributed to the growing dissatisfaction among cultural institutions with X. The Berlinale's exit reflects a broader trend of organizations reassessing their presence on social media platforms amid changing political climates.