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Chennai’s Israeli Film Festival Postponed After Criticism of Israel’s Gaza Campaign

Organizers cited ‘unforeseen circumstances’ following protests by Tamil Nadu writers’ groups over Israel’s Gaza campaign.

Israeli film festival in Chennai postponed after public outcry
Representational image | Pixabay

Overview

  • The Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation announced on May 26 that it has postponed the festival scheduled for May 29–31 at the Tamil Nadu Government Music College in Chennai.
  • Organizers made the move after writers’ associations, artists and political figures objected to hosting an Israeli event during renewed hostilities in Gaza.
  • Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil warned that cultural neutrality amid a humanitarian crisis could amount to complicity with Israel’s military actions.
  • This decision follows a similar outcry that led the National Film Development Corporation to cancel an Israeli festival in Mumbai in August 2024.
  • Since the ceasefire collapsed in March, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 1,000 people including 200 children, and the two-year war has claimed more than 49,500 lives and displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s population.