Following his release from prison, Hamdan Ballal, director of *No Other Land*, is at the center of controversy regarding a lack of support from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Ballal, alongside co-directors Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, garnered significant recognition for their documentary, which highlights the devastation of a Palestinian community in the West Bank. The documentary even clinched the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film. However, both Adra and Ballal faced immediate repercussions after their victory, as they were attacked by Israeli settlers, and Ballal was subsequently detained by the Israel Defense Forces, being released a day later.
Recent reports by Variety reveal that an impressive 690 members of the Academy have signed a letter expressing disapproval of the Academy’s inadequate response during Ballal’s detainment. Signatories include notable figures such as Mark Ruffalo, Ava DuVernay, Alfonso Cuarón, and Joaquin Phoenix. They criticized the Academy’s initial reaction for not mentioning Ballal or *No Other Land*, and condemned the attacks on the filmmakers, labeling it “an attack on all those who dare to document uncomfortable truths.”The letter underscores their commitment to ongoing support for Ballal and his team. Below is an excerpt from the letter:
On 26 March 2025, the leadership of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences emailed its membership a statement with the subject line, “Our Global Film Community.” The statement was ostensibly responding to the detention of Palestinian filmmaker and 2025 Best Documentary Feature Academy Award winner Hamdan Ballal, one of the directors of “No Other Land,” although it failed to mention either Ballal or the film by name, nor did it describe the events it was responding to.
The statement by Bill Kramer and Janet Yang fell far short of the sentiments this moment calls for.
Therefore, we are issuing our own statement, which speaks for the undersigned members of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
We stand in condemnation of the brutal assault and unlawful detention of Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal by settlers and Israeli forces in the West Bank.
As artists, we depend on our ability to tell stories without reprisals. Documentary filmmakers often expose themselves to extreme risks to enlighten the world. It is indefensible for an organization to recognize a film with an award in the first week of March, and then fail to defend its filmmakers just a few weeks later.
To win an Oscar is not an easy task. Most films in competition are buoyed by wide distribution and exorbitantly priced campaigns directed at voting members. For “No Other Land” to win an Oscar without these advantages speaks to how important the film is to the voting membership.
The targeting of Ballal is not just an attack on one filmmaker—it is an attack on all those who dare to bear witness and tell inconvenient truths.
We will continue to watch over this film team. 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.
In a response to the mounting pressure from its members, the Academy later issued a follow-up statement acknowledging their oversight. This statement directly named “Oscar winner Hamdan Ballal, co-director of *No Other Land*,”and expressed regret for not identifying Ballal and his film in their earlier communication. The Academy emphasized their stance against the suppression of free speech, stating:
On Wednesday, we sent a letter in response to reports of violence against Oscar winner Hamdan Ballal, co-director of No Other Land, connected to his artistic expression. We regret that we failed to directly acknowledge Mr. Ballal and the film by name. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Ballal and all artists who felt unsupported by our previous statement and want to make it clear that the Academy condemns violence of this kind anywhere in the world. We abhor the suppression of free speech under any circumstances.
Implications for the Academy
Members Willing to Challenge Leadership
This strong collective response from Academy members illustrates a notable readiness to confront industry giants regarding significant issues. The signatories include both renowned actors and directors, such as Mark Ruffalo, Sandra Oh, Ava DuVernay, and Alfonso Cuarón. Numerous cinematographers and other film professionals also expressed their insistence that the Academy must elevate its responses to critical human rights matters and ensure the safety of its artists. The letter assures that members are committed to vigilance for Ballal and other filmmakers facing dangers.
The involvement of over 600 Academy members underscores an urgent need for the Academy to align more closely with its constituents. While many artists are openly advocating for Ballal and the significant implications of his documentary, the governing body opted for a highly cautious stance in its earlier statement. Notably, *No Other Land* did not secure distribution in the United States despite achieving critical acclaim and winning an Academy Award, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by impactful films within the industry.
Analyzing the Backlash from Academy Members
Room for Improvement in the Academy’s Initial Response
The Academy members’ decision to draft and endorse this letter signifies their commitment to pursuing justice and highlighting the importance of truth in filmmaking. The original statement from the Academy fell short, lacking specificity and failing to directly condemn the actions against Ballal. A more effective response would have celebrated Ballal and *No Other Land* by acknowledging their achievements and the risks they undertake. This outpouring of solidarity from numerous members of the Academy demonstrates a willingness to challenge their governing body in instances of injustice.
Source: Variety