Moritz de Hadeln passed away on Saturday at 85 years old in Nyon, Switzerland, where he had been living. Known for his passion and dedication to the visual arts, the film giant led the Berlinale Festival from 1980 to 2001.
De Hadeln, formerly a documentarian and photographer himself, founded the Visions du Réel, a Swiss documentary film festival, and led the Locarno and Venice International Film Festivals in his time. His tenure as Berlinale director is remembered fondly and his legacy lives on through the European Film Market (EFM), a renowned trade fair that takes place alongside the Berlinale every year.
The Berlinale posted a statement on Monday evening expressing its sadness at the news: “We mourn the passing of Moritz de Hadeln, one of the most influential figures in international film culture.” The Berlinale also expressed gratitude for his devotion to film worldwide by stating “he championed international exchange”. They also cited his belief “in the power of film to connect people across cultures and perspectives” as a factor in their success.
