Nearly 400 Ghanaians call for boycott of Israeli Film Festival

Nearly 400 individuals and organisations in Ghana are calling on Silverbird Cinema and its partners to cancel the Israeli Film Festival set for September 16–20, 2025, at the Accra Mall.

In a joint statement on Monday, the coalition of civil society groups, artists, academics, students, faith leaders, and prominent citizens described the festival as a “Zionist propaganda event” meant to whitewash “genocide and apartheid” amid Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

“We cannot stand by while the genocide of Palestinians is laundered through art and culture. Ghana has always stood on the side of the oppressed. Today we must stand with Palestine,” the statement read.

Among the signatories are journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr., former CHRAJ commissioner Emile Short, filmmaker Nii Kwate Owoo, scholar Dzodzi Tsikata, academic Audrey Gadzekpo, trade unionist Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, artist Wanlov the Kubolor, and activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor.

The coalition also criticised listed sponsors, including Kempinski Hotel, Rolider, Sienna Services, SAF STL Amandi Foundation, and the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMac). UniMac’s involvement, they argued, amounts to “a terrible abuse of public trust.”

Organisers warned that failure to cancel the festival will trigger boycotts and peaceful protests at Silverbird Cinema.

They urged the public to join the demonstrations, vowing not to allow Ghana to be used to “legitimise a racist, apartheid and genocidal regime.”