As stars like Amal and George Clooney graced the Venice red carpet, around three to four thousands of demonstrators took to the streets nearby. Waving Palestinian flags, they marched through the Lido district up to the festival entrance to call out the ongoing genocide in Gaza and demand that the film industry speak up.
Signs, Chants, and a Clear Message
Placards reading “You are all an audience to genocide” captured the mood of the crowd. Protesters said that with so much global attention on Venice, it was the perfect moment for actors and directors to use their voices.
Open Letter Pushes Gaza Into the Spotlight
The rally followed an open letter from the collective Venice4Palestine, signed by over 2,000 filmmakers and actors, including Frankenstein director Guillermo del Toro and the British actor and director Charles Dance famous for Game of Thrones. The letter urged the festival to take a stronger stand, echoing similar actions earlier this year at Cannes.
Debate Over Boycotts and Invitations
Activists also asked the festival to drop invitations for stars like Gal Gadot and Gerard Butler, citing their public support for Israel’s military. Festival organizers refused, saying they would not exclude anyone over political positions, though they expressed sorrow over the civilian toll in Gaza.
Filmmakers Use the Red Carpet for Protest
Some industry figures made their stance visible on the festival stage itself. Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani held a sign reading “Stop the Genocide in Gaza” at her premiere, while Italian actor Roberto Zibetti described art as “an arsenal of peace.”
Films Bring Gaza Stories to Venice
Beyond protests, Gaza is also appearing on screen. Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s film The Voice of Hind Rajab—about a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed during Israel’s assault—will premiere this week, backed by big names like Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix.
Gaza’s Reality Beyond the Festival
Away from Venice, the war’s impact remains staggering. Gaza’s health ministry says more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children. The United Nations has declared famine in the enclave, where over two million people remain trapped under blockade.
A Festival of Films and Demands for Justice
This year’s Venice Film Festival became more than a parade of premieres—it turned into a stage where glamour met activism. Between flashing cameras and raised banners, the event showed how cinema can’t fully escape the world’s biggest crises.
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