Academy Apologizes for Filmmaker Incident Handling

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued an apology for not specifically naming Palestinian director Hamdan Ballal in its initial response to his assault and detention by Israeli settlers and military in the West Bank. Initially, the Academy released a vague statement condemning harm against artists without mentioning Ballal, which drew widespread criticism from over 600 members, including prominent figures like Joaquin Phoenix and Olivia Colman. The Academy's CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang later acknowledged their oversight and emphasized their condemnation of violence and suppression of free speech. Ballal, who co-directed the Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land', was attacked and accused of throwing stones—a charge he and witnesses deny. The apology followed significant backlash, with members highlighting the inconsistency of honoring Ballal's work while failing to defend him post-award. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the Academy's responsibilities in supporting artists facing political and physical threats.