Farmane-Ilahi

LOS ANGELES (Web Desk) The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued an apology after facing widespread criticism for its initial failure to support Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, who was assaulted by Israeli settlers and detained by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank.

Ballal, co-director of No Other Land, which won the Best Documentary Oscar at the 2025 Academy Awards, was attacked on March 26. He was reportedly beaten by settlers and later detained at gunpoint by Israeli forces.

The filmmaker, who was released the following day, claimed that the assault was linked to his Oscar win, with soldiers mentioning his name and the award during his detention.

The Academy's initial response, which didn't name Ballal, was met with backlash from over 600 members, including Joaquin Phoenix, Penélope Cruz, and Emma Thompson.

In response, CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang issued a new statement acknowledging their failure to address the situation properly, expressing regret for not naming Ballal and the film, and reaffirming their condemnation of violence and free speech suppression.

Ballal’s documentary, No Other Land, explores the forced displacement of Palestinians by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and has faced challenges in securing a US distributor despite its Oscar win.

The apology marks a turning point after mounting pressure from the film community, with many urging the Academy to show greater solidarity with artists facing political persecution.