Oscar Voters Call Out Academy Leadership Over Treatment of Hamdan Ballal
A newly released open letter, endorsed by around 600 Oscar voters, including notable figures such as Ava DuVernay, Olivia Colman, and Javier Bardem, has issued a strong condemnation of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The letter criticizes the Academy’s inadequate response to the assault and subsequent arrest of Academy Award-winning filmmaker Hamdan Ballal.
“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,”the open letter stated.
The Academy voters expressed their discontent following a statement from Academy leaders Bill Kramer and Janet Yang. This statement implied that the serious incident involving Ballal, which included his beating and arrest, was a matter of differing opinions among Academy members.
Among the notable signatories of the letter are Mark Ruffalo, Jonathan Glazer (who directed the Oscar-winning film Zone of Interest), Emma Thompson, and Richard Gere, highlighting a collective concern within the film industry.
Details of the Incident
Hamdan Ballal, who won an Oscar for co-directing the acclaimed documentary No Other Land, was recently attacked and detained by Israeli military forces during a confrontation with settlers in his hometown of Susiya in the West Bank. According to co-director Yuval Abraham, Ballal suffered injuries to both his head and stomach and was subjected to zip ties and a blindfold before being released the following day.
Additional Concerns Raised
The letter from the AMPAS members highlighted what they perceive as a profound lack of support from the Academy for Ballal. “The targeting of Ballal is not just an attack on one filmmaker—it is also an assault on all who dare to tell uncomfortable truths. We stand ready to protect this film team. The dangers they now face have grown significantly, and we will not hesitate to advocate for the safety of our fellow artists,”the letter articulated.
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to the Academy for a statement regarding the situation but has yet to receive a response.
Full Text of the Open Letter
In their open letter, Academy members described the leadership’s response in a group email dated March 26, 2025. The message, titled “Our Global Film Community,” offered a vague reaction to Ballal’s detention but notably failed to mention his name or that of his film, No Other Land. This omission has led to increased frustration among Academy members, prompting them to draft their own outspoken response.
“We unequivocally denounce the brutal assault and unlawful detention of Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal by settlers and Israeli forces. As creators, our narratives need to be expressed without fear of retribution. Filmmakers, especially those involved in documentaries, often expose themselves to extreme risks to shed light on critical issues. It is unacceptable for an organization to celebrate a film in early March and then neglect to defend its creators just weeks later. The victory of No Other Land holds great significance for the Academy’s voting body, as the film triumphed without the benefits of mainstream distribution or costly promotional campaigns,”they stated.
This open letter serves as a rallying point for those concerned about creativity, safety, and the responsibilities that come with recognition in film.
Signatures of Support
For further details and context on this developing story, please refer to the source linked below.