Film directors' criticism of Israeli policies and the war on Gaza aroused the ire of German politicians. The German government also criticized the “untrue statements” at the festival.
German politicians and most of the local media did not approve of the participants raising the ‘Ceasefire Now’ banner. American director Ben Russell, who ascended to the stage wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh and said, “We stand with life and against it. Genocide and for a ceasefire."