With heavy hearts, we bid a farewell to the legendary film critic Michel Ciment. Devoting his life to cinema, Ciment became a cornerstone of French film criticism for over half a century. In 1976, he served as a member of the International Jury, and in his role as the festival's foreign delegate for the Official Programme, he provided valuable counsel to the Festival Director and the Selection Committee of the Berlinale for numerous years.

"For all those who consider the 'cinéma' an act of exchange, Michel Ciment was the reference. His passion and appetite for finding new voices was heartbreaking, a true example for all, and especially for young people. He was a regular at Berlin International Film Fetsival and the festival has been nourished by his comments, suggestions and critics. We mourn his loss and think about his family and all those who have learned how to look at films through his words." –

Berlinale Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian