Call to Action: Filmmakers Demand Venice Film Festival Take a Stand Against Gaza Crisis
In a powerful show of solidarity, hundreds of filmmakers, artists, and cultural figures from Italy and around the globe have united to sign an open letter urging the Venice Film Festival to take a decisive stance against what they label as genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. This initiative, known as Venice4Palestine (V4P), was submitted on Friday to the Biennale di Venezia, which oversees the festival, as well as to its independent sections, Venice Days and International Critics’ Week.
The letter accuses the Israeli government and military of committing acts of genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing throughout Palestine. The signatories implore the festival not to become a “sad and empty showcase,” but rather to serve as a platform for dialogue, active participation, and resistance, echoing its historical role in addressing social issues.
Prominent figures among the signatories include British filmmaker Ken Loach, renowned Italian actor Toni Servillo—who stars in the 2025 Venice opener La Grazia directed by Paolo Sorrentino—along with acclaimed actresses and directors Alba and Alice Rohrwacher, Jasmine Trinca, French directors Céline Sciamma and Audrey Diwan, British actor Charles Dance, and the Palestinian directing duo Arab Nasser and Tarzan Nasser, who recently won Best Director at Cannes for Once Upon A Time In Gaza.
The letter emphasizes the tragic loss of nearly 250 Palestinian media workers since the onset of the conflict and positions artistic institutions as critical players in promoting awareness and resistance. “As the spotlight shines on the Venice Film Festival, we risk witnessing yet another major event that turns a blind eye to this humanitarian and political crisis,” the letter states. It challenges the notion that “the show must go on,” insisting instead that “the show must stop” to combat indifference and foster a greater awareness of humanitarian issues. “There is no cinema without humanity,” the letter asserts.
In their appeal, the signatories call for the festival to showcase Palestinian narratives and to establish a continuous backdrop of discussions and initiatives focused on “ethnic cleansing, apartheid, illegal occupation, colonialism, and the myriad of human rights violations committed by Israel over the decades, not just since October 7.”
In response to the open letter, the Biennale expressed its commitment to being a platform for open dialogue and addressing pressing global issues throughout its history. They highlighted the inclusion of The Voice of Hind Rajab, a poignant drama by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, which tells the story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. This film will be featured in competition at this year’s festival. They also noted that last year’s lineup included Israeli director Dani Rosenberg’s film Of Dogs and Men, created in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. "The Biennale remains open to dialogue," the statement concluded.
Additionally, a separate group of Italian artists, known as the Artisti #NoBavaglio network, is organizing a public “Stop Genocide” protest on August 30, coinciding with the festival’s opening weekend. The 82nd Venice International Film Festival is set to run from August 27 to September 6.
Join the Conversation
As the festival approaches, it’s crucial for the global community to engage in discussions about the critical issues at hand. By amplifying these voices and narratives, we can contribute to a cultural dialogue that prioritizes humanity and justice.
