Hundreds of filmmakers and cultural figures have signed an open letter urging the Venice Film Festival to take a clear stand on the situation in Gaza, denouncing what they describe as genocide and ethnic cleansing. The appeal, organized by Venice4Palestine, calls on the festival to move beyond silence and indifference, and instead foster dialogue and active participation. Notable signatories include Ken Loach, Toni Servillo, Alba and Alice Rohrwacher, Jasmine Trinca, Celine Sciamma, Audrey Diwan, Charles Dance, and Palestinian directors Arab Nasser and Tarzan Nasser. The letter highlights the deaths of Palestinian media workers and insists that cultural institutions must not remain detached from such tragedies, stating that 'there is no cinema without humanity.'

The Venice Film Festival responded by reaffirming its commitment to open discussion and sensitivity to global issues, referencing films in its lineup that address the conflict in Gaza, including Kaouther Ben Hania's 'The Voice of Hind Rajab.'