Berlinale makes senior appointments

Berlinale film festival director Tricia Tuttle has appointed two internationally respected programmers to share responsibilities as co-directors of film programming. Former US-delegate to the Berlinale, Jacqueline Lyanga, and Panorama section head Michael Stütz will assume these duties in July. This represents an expanded role for Stütz who will continue to head Panorama alongside his new position as co-director of film programming.

“Michael and Jacqueline bring a strong and complementary combination of skills and networks, and they are both hugely smart, collaborative creative leaders as well as passionate, generous cinephiles. I can’t wait to work alongside them to shape dynamic Berlinale film programmes,” said Berlinale director, Tricia Tuttle.

Lyanga said: “It’s exciting to be joining the Berlinale team as the co-director of film programming as the festival prepares to celebrate its 75th edition next February. I look forward to collaborating with the team as we build the festival’s future. It’s a thrill to join Tricia and Michael  in programming an international film festival with one of the largest public audiences in the world.”

New executive positions announced include:

Berlinale colleague Florian Weghorn, who has held several curatorial and management positions at the festival since 2002, will become the Berlinale’s first Chief of Staff. Currently the co-head of Berlinale Talents, Weghorn starts as Chief of Staff on July 1. The Berlinale will also soon begin a recruitment process for Weghorn’s role as Programme Manager at Berlinale Talents. Chief of Staff is a key position within the Berlinale’s executive team and will support Tricia Tuttle in communicating the festival’s strategies internally as well as with key external stakeholders.

Tommy Kommer, an expert in corporate finance in the cultural sector becomes director of finance and business operations. The role will also include supporting the management of the administration and IT departments.

Miriam Reimers becomes the Berlinale’s director of programme operations and production. She will oversee the implementation of the audience programme, refining Berlinale’s long term venue strategy, ensuring production and security services at red carpet events at the Berlinale Palast and other cinemas, as well as accreditation and protocol.

Berlinale director, Tricia Tuttle said: “It’s wonderful to have most of my executive team in place now. I am so excited about working with them to support the Berlinale staff, but also planning for the future. One of my major objectives is to revitalise the ways in which Berlinale connects to a sense of place, to take advantage of our incredible home city. If we can do this while also building stronger links between the public film programme and the European Film Market and the marketplace, we can make the festival even more impactful for audiences and also the important films, filmmakers and rights holders who trust us with their premieres. I so look forward to working with this team to achieve much over the next few years”.