Charli xcx’s appearance at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2026 marked not only her red carpet appearance but also her shift from pop disruptor to actress and producer with clear arthouse aspirations. In an address given on the 14th of February during the press conference for her latest film, The Moment, Charli XCX spoke directly to the political climate surrounding the festival, which had been marred by controversy after Jury President Wim Wenders made the comment that “films should stay out of politics,” causing several protests and cancellations at the festival.
Charli XCX made a subtle but firm statement in response to the controversy, celebrating the long history of political filmmaking in Berlin and stating that such an atmosphere is crucial to the types of filmmaking she now wants to promote.
The Film: The Moment
“This festival in particular is known for not shying away from political films, from films that have a real social angle by directors who are visionary and have something to say. For me as a producer, as an actor, those are the kind of films that we love. Those are the films that we want to champion ourselves. I’m only just starting out in this industry, but I feel passionate about working within those spaces. And we all feel so honored to be here; we’re very thankful for this festival.” said the popstar recently.
The film, produced by A24 and directed by Aidan Zamiri, is a mockumentary that stars Charli XCX as an exaggerated version of herself dealing with the aftermath of the global “Brat” explosion, exploring the pitfalls of commercial success and the struggle to find her place in the world as she gets ready to embark on a massive stadium tour, all while being challenged by a pretentious auteur-type played by Alexander Skarsgård, who wants to “rebrand” her artistry. The film had a limited US theatrical run in January 2026 and received widespread acclaim upon its Panorama screening at the festival as a feminist exercise in self-empowerment.
In addition to acting, Charli is also working on building her production company, Studio365, which specializes in socially and politically charged films. Instead of just putting her name on a film, she is actively seeking out scripts that will allow visionary filmmakers without the leverage of a big name to shine.
Charli’s appearances in Berlin will just be the beginning of what many in the industry are referring to as her “cinematic universe” year. Upcoming films include “I Want Your S–” from Gregg Araki, which also stars Olivia Wilde; “The Gallerist” with Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega; “Erupcja,” which will debut at South by Southwest; and “100 Nights of Hero” with Emma Corrin and Maika Monroe.
In choosing to align herself with the Berlin festival, which has historically been seen as the most politically charged of the major film festivals in Europe, Charli is clearly looking to a future where substance, authorship, and commentary matter.
