In one of the most powerful acts of artistic resistance in decades, over 1,200 actors, directors, and film professionals have signed a sweeping pledge refusing to collaborate with Israeli film institutions they accuse of being "complicit in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people."
The bold declaration, released by the collective Film Workers for Palestine and shared exclusively with The Guardian, marks a seismic shift in the global entertainment industry’s stance on Israel’s war in Gaza. It comes nearly a year after more than 1,000 writers made a similar call, but now with even greater momentum—backed by some of cinema’s most revered names.
“We recognize the power of cinema to shape perceptions,” the pledge reads. “In this urgent moment of crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can to address complicity in that unrelenting horror.”
Among the high-profile signatories are Academy Award winners and nominees including Olivia Colman, Tilda Swinton, Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, Riz Ahmed, Julie Christie, and Cynthia Nixon. Acclaimed directors such as Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things), Ava DuVernay (Selma), Asif Kapadia (Amy), Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You), and Joshua Oppenheimer (The Act of Killing) have also lent their names—signaling a unified front across borders, genres, and generations.
The pledge commits signatories to boycott screenings, appearances, and collaborations with Israeli film festivals, broadcasters, production companies, and cinemas that “whitewash or justify genocide” or are officially partnered with the Israeli state. Institutions named as complicit include the Jerusalem Film Festival, Haifa International Film Festival, Docaviv, and TLVFest, all of which continue to receive government funding amid Israel’s military campaign in Gaza—now recognized by top UN officials and human rights groups as a potential genocide.
“We answer the call of Palestinian filmmakers,” the statement declares, “who have urged the international film industry to refuse silence, racism, and dehumanization.”
Drawing direct inspiration from the anti-apartheid cultural boycott of South Africa, the pledge positions this action as a moral imperative. Signatory and screenwriter David Farr (The Night Manager), whose family includes Holocaust survivors, said: “I am distressed and enraged by the actions of the Israeli state… The cultural boycott was significant in South Africa. It will be significant this time.”
Crucially, the pledge distinguishes between institutions and individuals. It explicitly states that the boycott does not extend to Israeli citizens or artists—many of whom, including Palestinian citizens of Israel, have long opposed state violence. “This refusal takes aim at institutional complicity, not identity,” the FAQ clarifies.
Still, the backlash from Israel’s film sector was swift. The Israeli Producers Association fired back, calling the boycott “profoundly misguided.” They argued that Israeli filmmakers have long been “voices of complexity,” producing works that include Palestinian narratives and critique of state policies. “By targeting us—the creators who foster dialogue—these signatories are undermining peace,” the statement read.
But Palestinian filmmakers say they’ve waited long enough for solidarity. Last summer, over 65 Palestinian directors and writers published a letter accusing Hollywood of decades of dehumanizing portrayals and silence on Israeli occupation. Now, they say, change is finally coming.
Recent moments have amplified the message. At the Venice Film Festival, The Voice of Hind Rajab—a film about a 5-year-old girl killed by Israeli forces—received a 23-minute standing ovation. Executive producers included Brad Pitt, Jonathan Glazer, Joaquin Phoenix, and Alfonso Cuarón—many of whom have now signed the pledge.
This isn’t just about film. It’s about conscience. From the Norwegian Actors’ Equity Association advising members to avoid certain Israeli institutions, to SAG members demanding protection from blacklisting over Palestine advocacy, the movement is spreading.
As bombs continue to fall on Gaza, the film world is sending a clear message: Art will not be complicit. And for over 1,200 creators, the screen may be dark in Israel—but the moral light has never burned brighter.