Berlin: This month’s Berlin film festival, Europe’s first major cinema showcase in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein revelations, will shine a light on sexual misconduct in the industry, its director said on Tuesday.

Berlinale chief Dieter Kosslick told a news conference that the screenings and guests from Hollywood and the global film industry at the 68th edition would open up a long-overdue “debate” on rampant discrimination and abuse problems.

“The international resonance of #MeToo quickly made clear that the problem isn’t limited to Hollywood,” he said as he announced the some 400 films set to screen during the event’s 11-day run.

“The Berlinale sees itself as a forum where problems can be aired and it will host a range of events that should contribute to concrete change.”

He said these would include panel discussions on fighting sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry, generating financing for more female-led movies and getting more women into technical areas of filmmaking.

Berlin ranks with Cannes and Venice among Europe’s top film festivals and is generally considered the most politically minded.

Kosslick told a separate briefing for the foreign press that he had disqualified certain productions from participating this year — “less than five,” he said — because a director, screenwriter or star attached to the production was facing credible sexual misconduct allegations.

He declined to say what films were excluded.

Agence France-Presse