Nadav Lapid Quits Marseille Jury After 12 Filmmakers Threaten Boycott
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 12
Nadav Lapid Quits Marseille Jury After 12 Filmmakers Threaten Boycott
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 12
Summary
About a dozen pro-Palestinian filmmakers threatened to leave the Marseille International Film Festival, prompting Israeli director Nadav Lapid to step down from its jury.
A replacement plan also collapsed: Lapid agreed to give a public master class instead, but organizers canceled that event under the same pressure.
The protest targeted Lapid as an Israeli filmmaker who had received public funding, even though his latest film “Yes” is a fierce denunciation of Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The Marseille dispute adds to wider backlash around the film, which Lapid said has faced bomb threats in Spain, rejection from an Italian distributor and denunciations inside Israel.
When a film is attacked by its government and boycotted by its allies, who is art truly for?
Is boycotting dissident artists an effective political tool or a form of censorship that silences crucial dissent?
Silenced Critics: The 2026 Nadav Lapid–FID Marseille Boycott and the Risks for Global Film Culture
Overview
In June 2026, Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, known for his outspoken criticism of his own government and his film condemning radicalization in Israeli society, withdrew from the FID Marseille International Film Festival jury. The festival director faced growing pressure and calls for Lapid’s removal, not because of his art, but due to his identity and political stance. This controversy highlights the core debate around cultural boycotts—whether targeting individuals based on nationality, even if they are critical voices, undermines artistic freedom and open dialogue within the international film community.