The Berlin Film Festival, one of the most prestigious events in the global film industry, has announced its decision to leave Elon Musk’s X platform (formerly known as Twitter) by the end of 2024.
This move marks the end of a 15-year presence on the social media site, where the festival had accumulated a following of nearly 134,000. As concerns over misinformation and toxic online behavior continue to grow, the Berlinale’s departure from X signals a broader shift among institutions distancing themselves from Elon Musk’s platform.
Berlinale’s Farewell to X: A Major Decision
On December 31, 2024, the Berlin Film Festival will officially leave X, a decision that comes after much speculation about the festival’s future on the social media platform.
The Berlinale has decided to say goodbye to X on Dec 31, 2024. Thank you for following us here all these years. Stay connected with all things Berlinale on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and our website. See you there! ❤️ #Berlinale pic.twitter.com/ZpsXM2d3DO
— Berlinale (@berlinale) November 4, 2024
The announcement was made through a post on the Berlinale’s X account, stating, “The Berlinale has decided to say goodbye to X on Dec 31, 2024. Thank you for following us here all these years. Stay connected with all things Berlinale on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and our website. See you there! #Berlinale.”
This message made it clear that the festival is not abandoning its digital presence entirely but is instead opting for alternative platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube to continue engaging with its audience. However, no specific reason for leaving X was mentioned, leaving room for interpretation.
Observers have speculated that the festival’s exit is likely influenced by broader concerns regarding the platform’s handling of content, particularly since Elon Musk’s acquisition in 2022.
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The Berlinale’s decision is particularly significant given that it will celebrate its 75th edition in February 2025, a milestone that will now be marked without the use of X as a communication tool. For over a decade, the festival has utilized the platform to connect with film enthusiasts, industry insiders, and journalists from around the world.
Its departure from X will inevitably change the way it communicates with its global audience, but it also highlights the increasing discomfort many organizations feel about remaining on a platform that has been criticized for fostering misinformation and abusive behavior.
Concerns Over Disinformation and Toxic Content on X
While the Berlinale did not explicitly state why it is leaving X, the decision comes amidst growing concerns about the platform’s role in spreading disinformation and amplifying toxic content. Since Elon Musk took control of Twitter in 2022, now rebranded as X, the platform has been embroiled in controversies surrounding its content moderation policies.
Elon Musk’s leadership has been marked by a significant reduction in content moderation teams, the reinstatement of previously banned accounts, and a general laissez-faire approach to regulating what can be posted on the platform.
These changes have drawn criticism from many quarters, with users and institutions expressing concern about the rise of hate speech, fake news, and politically charged content. For many, Musk’s decisions have made X an increasingly hostile environment, particularly for those seeking to avoid exposure to divisive and inflammatory content.
In the context of the Berlin Film Festival, such issues take on heightened significance. As an international cultural event, the Berlinale places a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusivity, and social justice. The festival regularly features films that tackle pressing global issues, including human rights, environmental concerns, and political conflicts.
With X’s current reputation for promoting content that runs counter to these values, it is understandable why the Berlinale would feel uncomfortable maintaining its presence on the platform.
Elon Musk himself has been a highly controversial figure, especially in recent months. His vocal support for Donald Trump’s bid for re-election as U.S. president, along with his increasingly politicized posts, have led many to question the neutrality of X as a platform. This has likely contributed to the Berlinale’s decision, as the festival seeks to distance itself from Musk’s political affiliations and the environment of hostility that has been associated with his social media platform.
A Growing Trend: Film Festivals and Institutions Abandoning X
The Berlin Film Festival’s decision to quit X is not an isolated incident. In fact, it follows in the footsteps of other high-profile cultural figures who have chosen to leave the platform in recent months. One of the most notable departures came from Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera. In the summer of 2023, Barbera announced that he was quitting X, citing dissatisfaction with the platform’s new direction under Musk’s ownership.
In his statement, Barbera expressed a growing disillusionment with the objectives and purposes of X, stating, “After the latest statements by the owner of Twitter (or rather, sorry, of X), I have definitely lost the desire (already weakened) to remain on a platform, the objectives and purposes of which I no longer share.” Although he did not specify which comments from Musk had prompted his departure, the decision clearly reflected a broader discomfort with the way the platform was evolving.
Interestingly, while Barbera chose to leave X, the Venice Biennale, the parent body of the Venice Film Festival, continues to maintain its presence on the platform. This indicates that decisions to leave X are not necessarily uniform across organizations, with some individuals and entities opting to stay while others leave.
The trend of cultural institutions departing X raises important questions about the future of the platform. With its increasing focus on unregulated content and controversial political positions, X risks alienating major segments of its user base, particularly those in the arts and culture sectors.
For film festivals like the Berlinale and Venice, maintaining a presence on a platform that is increasingly seen as a hub for misinformation and political divisiveness could undermine their credibility and values. As a result, many are choosing to engage with their audiences through more controlled and curated platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
The Berlin Film Festival’s decision to quit Elon Musk’s X is emblematic of a growing trend among cultural institutions to distance themselves from the platform. As concerns about disinformation, toxic content, and political affiliations continue to mount, organizations like the Berlinale are increasingly re-evaluating their presence on social media platforms that no longer align with their values.
While the Berlinale has not provided an explicit reason for its departure from X, it is clear that the platform’s current trajectory under Musk’s ownership has played a role in this decision. For an event that prides itself on promoting inclusivity, diversity, and cultural dialogue, remaining on a platform that is associated with disinformation and divisiveness could be seen as counterproductive.
As the Berlinale prepares to celebrate its 75th edition in 2025, it will do so without X, opting instead to engage its audience through other platforms that better reflect its mission and values. This move is likely to be watched closely by other cultural institutions, as they too consider whether to stay or leave a platform that is rapidly losing its appeal to many in the arts and culture world.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏