The Palestinian team at the Cannes Film Festival labeled Israel a “genocide” and called for a cultural boycott.
Palestinian representatives organized a day of anti-Israel activities despite festival organizers calling for “no controversy” at the star-studded Riviera gathering.
The Palestinian Film Association accused Israel of pursuing “merciless genocide” and called on the people to take action against the “apartheid state”.
Activists are calling for a total boycott of Israel’s film industry and any groups that are “complicit” with the state, and will hold workshops to teach filmmakers how to “destroy” the industry.
Concerns about “another Eurovision”
There were also direct calls to boycott the Israeli team at the Cannes Film Festival, raising fears that the festival would become a “reenactment of Eurovision”, with Israeli contestant Eden Golan in some was booed by the audience.
The Palestinian Film Institute said in an overview of the festival’s plans: “The months since October 2023 have highlighted the great struggle we face simply to exist as Palestinians.
“In the context of the current genocide, it is more urgent than ever to platform Palestinian filmmaking as a space for creative resistance, exchange and dialogue.”
The PFI team will invite Palestinian Film Workers activists to a dedicated day of the event, publicly calling for a boycott and advising them on how best to “stop the film industry’s collusion with the Israeli apartheid state.”
One workshop teaches filmmakers how to extract labor from Israeli companies, how to refuse invitations to Israeli film festivals, and how to refuse to screen or distribute their films in Israel.
Events that end with a ceasefire call
The day of anti-Israel events concludes with a national call for a ceasefire and a minute’s silence.
All activities will take place in the Algeria pavilion at the Palais des Festivals, which is close to the Israel pavilion and has extra security in place this year.
Osnat Bukofzer, leader of the Israeli team at Cannes, told the Telegraph: I hope that’s the only action here in Cannes. ”
The Palestine team’s plans were revealed as festival director Thierry Frémaux insisted there should be “no controversy” at the event and wanted the focus to be on films rather than outside controversies. there was.
French authorities have tightened security to prevent the flagship festival from becoming a stage for protests, and Cannes Mayor David Rinard has banned demonstrations along the seafront, where major events are being held.
The festival itself has increased the number of security briefings from five to 15 in preparation for the Cannes gathering, the first since the October 7 Israeli attack, and the subsequent ground invasion of Gaza.
The Palestinian Film Association has been contacted for comment.
