Positively Different Short Film Festival is proud to support and sign the pledge by the initiative Film Workers for Palestine, calling all filmmakers, festival and film workers to cease all cooperation with Israeli institutions, and take a stance against genocide. PDSFF has been, from the moment of its conception, a space dedicated to achieving freedom from oppression, justice, solidarity and equality for all. Therefore, Palestinian liberation and an end to settler colonialism lies at the centre of our politics and values, both as a festival and as individuals that make up our festival team. We are happy to take a stance on the right side of history, together with so many brave individuals, festivals and initiatives, alongside whom we strive for a better, more just world.
Read the statement by Film Workers for Palestine below:
As filmmakers, actors, film industry workers, and institutions, we recognize the power of cinema to shape perceptions. In this urgent moment of crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can to address complicity in that unrelenting horror.
The world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, and that Israel’s occupation and apartheid against Palestinians are unlawful. Standing for equality, justice, and freedom for all people is a profound moral duty that none of us can ignore. So too, we must speak out now against the harm done to the Palestinian people.
We answer the call of Palestinian filmmakers, who have urged the international film industry to refuse silence, racism, and dehumanization, as well as to “do everything humanly possible” to end complicity in their oppression.
Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid who refused to screen their films in apartheid South Africa, we pledge not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutions—including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies—that are implicated* in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.
* Examples of complicity include whitewashing or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or partnering with the government committing them. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about this pledge can be found here.
