European Film Academy CEO, Matthijs Wouter Knol, has firmly denied rumors suggesting that he is a potential candidate for the position of director at the Berlin Film Festival. Speculation regarding Knol’s candidacy for the role had been circulating ahead of the Academy’s European Film Awards ceremony held in Berlin this past weekend. However, in an interview with Deadline prior to the ceremony, Knol categorically dismissed the notion, stating that he has no intention of leaving the European Film Academy as he believes there is still much more work to be done.
The Berlin Film Festival is currently in the process of searching for a new director to replace Executive Director Mariette Rissenbeek and Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian, who are set to step down after the 2024 edition. A press conference is scheduled for Tuesday, during which an official announcement is expected to be made regarding their successors. It is speculated that Swiss Film Festival Artistic Director Christian Jungen may be a potential candidate due to his established connections with U.S. studios. Another name being considered is Maria Köpf, former head of the German Film Academy, although there are doubts surrounding her international network and ability to attract high-profile films.
Change in Festival Leadership
The dual management structure that was implemented following the departure of long-time director Dieter Kosslick has faced criticism, leading to its abandonment. German Culture Minister Claudia Roth announced in August that the festival will revert to being under the control of a single director, with the aim of appointing someone by the end of 2023. Rissenbeek had already announced her departure as Executive Director, while Chatrian initially expressed a desire to remain at the festival but ultimately decided to step down following the decision to scrap the dual management system. Chatrian’s departure was met with backlash, with over 300 film professionals signing an open letter opposing the perceived mishandling of the situation.
Matthijs Wouter Knol was considered a strong contender for the director position due to his previous experience working at the Berlinale, where he headed the Talent Campus from 2008 before becoming director of the European Film Market in 2014. However, Knol left the festival in 2021 to assume his current position as CEO of the European Film Academy. Since joining the Academy, he has played a pivotal role in expanding its year-round activities and developing a strategy to enhance the reach and influence of its annual awards. In his interview with Deadline, Knol expressed his long-term commitment to his work at the European Film Academy, emphasizing his desire to make a meaningful impact and his belief that his work is far from complete.
Despite the rumors and speculation surrounding Matthijs Wouter Knol’s potential candidacy for the directorship of the Berlin Film Festival, he has unequivocally denied any interest in the position, citing his dedication to his current role at the European Film Academy. As the search for a new director continues, industry insiders await the forthcoming announcement and anticipate the appointment of an individual who will effectively lead the festival into its next chapter.