Our friend Diego Armando Aparicio, organiser of Queer Wave in Cyprus, was part of this year’s jury for the Teddy Awards at the 74th edition of the Berlinale.

Following the unwillingness of the German state and great part of the country’s cultural sector to take a clear and an unequivocal stance against the ongoing genocide in Gaza, this year’s edition was marked by a series of brave acts of resistance in support of a free Palestine, against occupation and apartheid.

When Diego climbed up the stage to announce the awards on Friday night, he gave the following speech on behalf of the jury as a whole. We are extremely grateful for the speech, and have huge respect for the entire Teddy Jury: Cerise Howard, Diego Armando Aparicio, Kami Sid, Luís Fernando Moura and Vic Carmen Sonne.

Diego, ignore those few heartless people that booed you. We take strength from your bravery and from the many more people that applauded and supported you and your fellow jury members.

We bear witness, Palestine shall be free.