Berlin, 14 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - German celebrities heading to the opening gala of the Berlin International Film Festival on Thursday commemorated Israeli hostage David Cunio, an actor held in Gaza.

Actors including Andrea Sawatzki and Ulrich Matthes paid tribute to Cunio on the red carpet, with Berlinale boss Tricia Truttle holding up a sign saying "Bring David Cunio Home."

Cunio is among a number of Israeli hostages abducted during the Hamas-led October 7 attacks who are still held in the Gaza Strip more than 16 months later.

He starred in Tom Shoval's film "Youth" which was shown at the Berlinale in 2013.

At this year's edition, the festival is showing another film by Shoval described as a "personal cinematic letter from filmmaker Tom Shoval to David Cunio" called "Michtav Le'David. A Letter to David."

Some 25 people also took part in a vigil for the Israeli hostages near the Berlinale Palace, where the opening ceremony took place later on Thursday.

They held up banners with a picture of Cunio and the inscription "Bring Him Home Now."

Actress Tilda Swinton accepted an Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement during the night.

She used her speech to rail against the state of the world, and praise the power of cinema.

"State-perpetrated and internationally enabled mass murder is currently actively terrorizing more than one part of our world," she said without naming politicians or specific conflicts.

"The inhumane is being perpetrated on our watch," she added.

"I'm here to name it without hesitation or doubt in my mind, and to lend my unwavering solidarity to all those who recognize the unacceptable complacency of our greed-addicted governments who make nice with planet wreckers and war criminals, wherever they come from."

She went on to urge the audience to support big cinema.

"Long live cinema and all its never ending promise, a light in the dark that never goes out."

Swinton - an Academy Award winner in 2007 - is best known for films such as "Caravaggio" and "The Beach."

This year's Berlinale runs from February 13 to February 23.

Photo: EPA