Overview

• Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land,' was attacked by Israeli settlers and detained by soldiers in the West Bank on March 24, 2025.
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences initially issued a vague statement that did not name Ballal or the film, drawing widespread criticism from its members and the film community.
• In response to backlash, including an open letter signed by over 800 Academy members, the Academy convened an emergency board meeting on March 28 and issued a formal apology later that day.
• The Academy's revised statement explicitly condemned the violence against Ballal, acknowledged its earlier shortcomings, and reaffirmed its commitment to free speech and artistic freedom.
• The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by artists addressing politically sensitive issues, as well as the broader context of escalating violence in Masafer Yatta and the West Bank.