A coalition of over 400 Ghanaian individuals and organizations, spanning diverse sectors of society, has vehemently denounced the Israeli Film Festival scheduled to occur in Accra from September 16th to 20th, 2025. This diverse group, comprised of students, workers, civil society organizations, and prominent figures, has called for the immediate cancellation of the festival, viewing it as a platform for “Zionist propaganda” and a normalization of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Their core argument centers on the belief that hosting such a festival amid reports of widespread atrocities against Palestinians constitutes complicity in crimes against humanity and undermines Ghana’s historical commitment to anti-imperialism and solidarity with liberation movements.
The coalition’s statement, released on September 15th, 2025, underscores the gravity of the situation in Gaza, citing reports of over 200,000 Palestinian casualties – a figure representing a staggering 10% of the region’s population. They highlight the devastating impact of bombing campaigns, sniper attacks, and the alleged deliberate deprivation of food and aid, portraying these actions as components of a broader strategy aimed at ethnic cleansing and mass starvation. By associating the film festival with these alleged atrocities, the coalition seeks to frame it not as a celebration of art and culture, but as a cynical attempt to whitewash Israel’s actions.
The coalition’s call to action resonates with Ghana’s historical stance against oppression and colonialism. Drawing parallels between the Palestinian struggle and historical liberation movements, the group asserts that hosting the festival represents a betrayal of Ghana’s foundational values. They emphasize the nation’s legacy of supporting oppressed peoples and argue that standing with Palestine is a moral imperative. This framing seeks to position support for the Palestinian cause as a continuation of Ghana’s historical commitment to justice and self-determination.
Prominent figures within the coalition include Emile Short, former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ); Nii Kwate Owoo, a celebrated Ghanaian filmmaker; Audrey Gadzekpo, a renowned academic and public intellectual; Yao Graham, a distinguished scholar and activist; and Kwame Karikari, a media freedom advocate. The involvement of these respected individuals lends significant weight to the coalition’s arguments and underscores the widespread concern regarding the film festival. Their participation highlights the perceived moral gravity of the situation and amplifies the call for action.
Beyond individual endorsements, several organizations have also thrown their support behind the coalition’s demands. Groups such as Ghanaians Against Genocide, Justice and Freedom for Palestine, Legon Palestine Solidarity Activists, All-African People’s Revolutionary Party, Humanists Association of Ghana, Economic Fighters League, Socialist Students and Workers Solidarity Network, and others have aligned themselves with the call for cancellation. This collective action underscores the broad-based nature of the opposition to the festival and signifies a unified front against what they perceive as a normalization of oppression.
The coalition has outlined a series of planned actions to demonstrate their opposition to the festival. Peaceful picketing outside Silverbird Cinema, the venue of the festival, is planned for the duration of the event. In addition, the coalition has called for a boycott of all companies and institutions associated with the festival, including sponsors such as STL-Amandi Foundation (SAF), Kempinski Hotel, Rolider, Sienna Services, EON, and the University of Media, Arts and Communications (UniMac). This multifaceted approach, combining public protest with targeted economic pressure, aims to maximize the impact of their actions and compel the festival’s organizers and sponsors to reconsider their involvement. The coalition has extended an invitation to Ghanaians at large and international allies to join their protests, aiming to amplify their message and demonstrate the global reach of their concerns. This call for solidarity reflects a broader strategy of internationalizing the issue and garnering wider support for the Palestinian cause.
