Overview

• Venice4Palestine says over 1,500 film‑industry figures have signed its appeal urging the Biennale to rescind invitations for Gal Gadot and Gerard Butler and to allow a delegation to walk the red carpet with a Palestinian flag.
• The Biennale’s central office reiterated the festival is a place for open debate, a response the collective criticized as non‑committal, while Giornate degli Autori and Settimana della Critica signaled openness to dialogue and amplified the appeal.
• Multiple outlets report Gadot will not attend the festival, a decision said to predate the campaign, and Butler’s presence remains unconfirmed.
• At the pre‑opening, Biennale leaders gave the stage to Don Nandino Capovilla, whose remarks condemned the Gaza bloodshed, with president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco and director Alberto Barbera framing the event as a forum to confront the tragedy.
• A demonstration titled “Stop al genocidio – Palestina libera” is scheduled for August 30 at the Lido, as the lineup also features work addressing Gaza, including Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab.