The Dutchwoman Rissenbeek has been directing the Berlin Film Festival since 2020 together with the Italian Carlo Chatrian. At that time they took over from Berlinale veteran Dieter Kosslick, who had been responsible for the festival for almost 20 years. The next Berlinale - the 74th - in February will be the last one that Rissenbeek and Chatrian will organize together.

According to information from Thursday, Roth is now to talk to Chatrian about extending his contract. The supervisory board also commissioned them to "evaluate the governance structure of the Berlinale".

The supervisory board thanked Rissenbeek "for the work done and recognized her merits," the statement said. She "successfully managed the Berlinale with the greatest personal commitment and saved it from serious damage, especially during the corona pandemic".

Roth explained that she herself had read Rissenbeek's announcement "with great regret". "The decision to actively initiate a generational change from a prominent position deserves the greatest respect," she said.