Berlin Film Festival Sets Exit From Elon Musk’s X Platform

November 5, 2024: The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) has announced that it will sever its ties with X (formerly known as Twitter) by the end of 2024, marking the end of a 15-year relationship with the platform. This move comes as part of the festival’s efforts to adapt to changes in the social media landscape, particularly amid concerns over the platform’s handling of disinformation, hate speech, and other harmful content, which have escalated since Elon Musk’s acquisition of X in 2022.

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In a brief message posted on its X account, the Berlinale thanked its followers and informed them that it would continue engaging with audiences on other platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and its official website. The festival, which will celebrate its 75th edition from February 13 to 24, 2025, had accumulated nearly 134,000 followers on X over the years, using the platform to share updates, news, and announcements related to the event.

This decision mirrors the actions of other high-profile figures, including Alberto Barbera, the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, who also distanced himself from the platform in 2023, citing a mismatch between his values and the platform’s evolving direction. While the Venice Film Festival continues to maintain a presence on X, Barbera’s departure highlights the growing disillusionment among some in the cultural and artistic spheres regarding the platform’s role in public discourse.

By moving away from X, the Berlinale joins a broader trend of organizations reconsidering their involvement with social media platforms that are increasingly criticized for their content moderation practices. The festival’s decision underscores its commitment to engaging with its audience in a responsible and meaningful way, prioritizing platforms that better align with its values.