Overview

• A tribute documentary about Fatima Hassouna, a Gazan photojournalist killed in an Israeli airstrike, will screen at Cannes on May 15 in the ACID section.
• An open letter signed by over 350 filmmakers, including Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon, denounced alleged genocide in Gaza and criticized silence from cultural institutions.
• The letter highlighted the deaths of over 52,600 people in Gaza since October 2023 and severe shortages caused by an ongoing blockade.
• Director Sepideh Farsi, whose documentary features Hassouna, called for Cannes organizers to make a political statement against Israeli military actions.
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences apologized for its delayed support of Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, who was assaulted and detained in March.