Mariette Rissenbeek, co-director of the Berlinale, has decided to step down as executive director after the 2024 edition of the festival.
The Federal Ministry of Culture and Media announced its decision on Thursday after a meeting of the supervisory board of the federal cultural events in Berlin (KBB).
The ministry said the board noted with “regret and respect” that Rissenbeck had informed them of their decision not to stay beyond the 2024 edition.
“The Supervisory Board thanked Ms Rissenbeek for the work she has done and recognized her achievements,” it said in a statement.
“According to the supervisory board, she successfully managed the Berlinale with the greatest personal commitment and saved it from serious damage, especially during the Covid 19 pandemic.”
Rissenbeek was the first woman to direct the Berlin Film Festival.
She was announced in 2018 as co-director in the role of executive director alongside Carlo Chatrian in the role of artistic director and took up the position in June 2019.
The joint management structure marked a new beginning for the festival, which was led by artistic director Dieter Kosslick from 2001.
The co-leaders were in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, with this edition being the last major festival with a full market and attendance this year.
The pair then ran an online edition in 2021 and a hybrid edition in 2022 that featured a scaled-down physical festival but kept the market online.
Chatrian is expected to stay beyond 2024.
The festival returned in February for a politically charged edition marked by the war in Ukraine and protests in Iran, with Kristen Stewart as jury president and an emotional tribute to Steven Spielberg.
In a statement from the Berlinale, Rissenbeek said it was a pleasure to see the festival “shine in all its glory” in February and explained the reasons for her resignation.
“When I accepted my contract in 2019, I knew it would end after I reached retirement age. I didn’t expect a contract extension, but I didn’t want to rule it out either,” she said. “After the successful conclusion of the festival in February, I began to seriously focus on the decision and share my thoughts with Carlo.”
“I will now work with passion and energy on the planning of the Berlinale 2024 and look forward to another wonderful, interesting and successful festival edition to which I say goodbye. After 2024, I would like to focus more on tasks at foundations and NGOs. This decision was not easy for me, the team and the festival grew on me.”
Source: Deadline
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