Hollywood Stars Condemn Academy’s Silence on Filmmaker’s Arrest

Los Angeles, CA — Over 600 Hollywood stars and industry leaders, including actors Joaquin Phoenix, Sandra Oh, and Emma Thompson, have signed an open letter criticizing the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its inadequate response to the recent assault and arrest of Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal. The letter, released on March 28, 2025, calls for the Academy to take a definitive stand against violence toward artists.

In the letter, the signatories expressed their condemnation of what they described as the “brutal assault and unlawful detention” of Ballal, an Oscar-winning co-director of the documentary “No Other Land.” The incident occurred earlier this week in the West Bank’s village of Susiya, Ballal’s hometown, where he was reportedly attacked by Israeli settlers before being detained by military forces.

The Academy’s initial statement, issued on March 26, did not mention Ballal by name, leading to widespread criticism among its members. “It is indefensible for an organization to recognize a film with an award and then fail to defend its filmmakers just a few weeks later,” the letter stated, urging the Academy’s leadership to address the situation more explicitly.

Ballal, who co-directed “No Other Land,” received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature earlier this month. According to co-director Yuval Abraham, Ballal sustained injuries during the confrontation with settlers. He described the incident as a tragic reminder of the ongoing dangers filmmakers face when they expose uncomfortable truths.

The open letter emphasized that the targeting of Ballal represents an attack not only on him but on all filmmakers committed to telling difficult stories. “Winning an Oscar has put their lives in increasing danger, and we will not mince words when the safety of fellow artists is at stake,” it read.

Other notable signatories of the letter included Ava DuVernay, Olivia Colman, Mark Ruffalo, and Tony Kushner, who collectively urged the Academy to show solidarity with filmmakers facing oppression. As the letter circulated on social media, it garnered significant attention and support from the film community.

In response to the uproar, the Academy issued a public apology on March 28, stating that it regretted not providing explicit support for Ballal and acknowledging the need for a more robust statement regarding his situation. The organization has expressed its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of filmmakers, particularly those working in volatile regions.

The Hollywood Reporter reached out to the Academy for further comments but had not received a response by press time. The full text of the open letter from Oscar voters remains available online for public viewing, reflecting the film industry’s collective response to the ongoing challenges faced by artists worldwide.