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August 30, 2025 – Venice/Palestine –
The 82nd Venice International Film Festival, held from August 27 to September 6, 2025, has unfolded amid deep political tensions, with growing calls for solidarity with Palestinians dominating the cultural landscape. A major highlight was a mass pro‑Palestine protest, with thousands marching through Venice during the festival to demand that the Biennale take a stand against what they describe as the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners reading “Free, Free Palestine,” aiming to use the festival’s global visibility to amplify their message.
Earlier in the week, pressure had mounted with a wave of activism: a regional left‑wing Italian political group unfurled banners reading “Free Palestine” and “Stop the Genocide” outside the festival venue just ahead of its opening. These symbolic acts set the tone for larger demonstrations scheduled for August 30.
Venice4Palestine, a coalition of filmmakers and cultural figures, spearheaded a letter signed by more than 1,500 industry professionals. They urged the festival to publicly denounce Israel’s policies and disinvite pro‑Israeli actors—demands that the Biennale’s director, Alberto Barbera, declined to comply with. He affirmed the festival’s role as a safe cultural space for dialogue but emphasized it would not take official political positions or impose boycotts on artists.
While the festival resisted overt political alignment, the programming included works that directly engaged with the Gaza conflict. Notably, The Voice of Hind Rajab, a film produced by Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Rooney Mara, portrays the tragic death of a young Palestinian girl fleeing Gaza. The inclusion of such titles signals a subtle acknowledgment of the ongoing crisis.
In essence, Venice has become more than a celebration of cinema—it stands as a critical flashpoint for global conversation. The protests and filmmaker-led advocacy reflect demand for cultural institutions to take ethical responsibility amid escalating humanitarian crises.
Reference –
https://www.newsweek.com/thousands-join-massive-pro-palestine-protest-venice-film-festival-2122203
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/30/arts/gaza-protest-venice-film-festival.html
