Tricia Tuttle, the Director of Berlinale, has appointed two highly respected programmers to serve as Co-Directors of Film Programming. Jacqueline Lyanga, former US-delegate to the Berlinale, and Michael Stütz, head of the Panorama section, will take on these roles starting in July. This marks an expanded role for Stütz, who will continue to lead Panorama while also serving 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 programs,” comments Berlinale Director, Tricia Tuttle.
Jacqueline Lyanga says: “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 Tuttle and Michael Stütz in programming an international film festival with one of the largest public audiences in the world.”
Michael Stütz adds: “I am looking forward to this new adventure, overseeing Panorama alongside this expanded role as Co-Director of Film Programming. I would like to thank Tricia Tuttle for her trust and I am especially looking forward to working with Tricia and Jacqueline Lyanga, the section heads and all my colleagues. We are excited to continue to make Berlinale an excellent place to launch great cinema from around the world.”
The Co-Directors of Film Programming will work with Tricia Tuttle to curate Competition and Berlinale Special, including Berlinale Special Gala, and they will lead the wider team to shape an overall film selection.
Tricia Tuttle announced a new governance structure for the Berlinale when she took office in April. This new structure is designed to strengthen cooperation and efficiency and improve communication and strategic planning.
Other executive positions announced include:
Florian Weghorn, an experienced colleague at Berlinale, has held various curatorial and management positions at the festival since 2002. He is set to become the Berlinale’s first Chief of Staff, Currently serving as the co-head of Berlinale Talents, Weghorn will transition to his new role starting on July 1. The Berlinale will soon initiate the recruitment process for a new Program Manager at Berlinale Talents. The Chief of Staff position is a key role within the Berlinale’s executive team, providing support to Tricia Tuttle in communicating the festival’s strategies internally and externally to key 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 Program Operations and Production. She will oversee the implementation of the audience program, 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 reflects: “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 revitalize 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 program 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”.
The Festival is scheduled for February 13-23, 2025
