The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has apologized for its initial response to the assault on Oscar-winning filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, which followed mounting pressure from voting members.
Numerous Academy members criticized the organization for failing to publicly acknowledge Ballal by name in its statement after the Palestinian director reported being attacked by Israeli settlers and detained by soldiers in the West Bank.
On March 26, the Academy issued a statement condemning efforts to “harm or suppress artists for their work or viewpoints,” yet it did not specifically mention Ballal, co-director of “No Other Land,” which won Best Documentary at this year’s Oscars.
An open letter signed by over 700 voting members stated that the Academy’s response “fell far short of the sentiments this moment calls for.” The letter, co-signed by industry notables like Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, Olivia Colman, and Joaquin Phoenix, expressed dismay at the Academy’s lack of support for filmmakers.
After discussions with the Academy’s board, CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed regret for not recognizing Ballal earlier. In a subsequent statement, they acknowledged their oversight, stating, “We regret that we failed to directly acknowledge Mr. Ballal and the film by name.”
The Academy emphasized its condemnation of violence and suppression of free speech, reaffirming support for all artists.
Ballal, along with fellow filmmakers Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, and Basel Adra, received their Oscar for Best Documentary at the 97th Academy Awards in early March. “No Other Land,” produced between 2019 and 2023, documents the forced displacement of Palestinians from their homes in the Masafer Yatta area, highlighting a partnership between Palestinian activist Adra and Israeli journalist Abraham.
Since its January release, “No Other Land” has grossed nearly $2 million in the U.S., overcoming challenges in securing a distributor and managing production costs. The Academy’s open letter pointed out that the film’s success—without the advantages of extensive distribution—underscores its significance to voters.
Ballal recounted in an interview that he was detained for over 20 hours after settlers attacked his village, noting that the soldiers mentioned his name and the word “Oscar” while he was restrained. The Israel Defense Forces stated that they detained an Israeli and three Palestinians on suspicion of rock-throwing.