Nearly 400 individuals and organisations in Ghana are mounting pressure on Silverbird Cinema and its sponsors to cancel the upcoming Israeli Film Festival, scheduled for September 16–20, 2025, at the Accra Mall.
The coalition, made up of prominent Ghanaians, civil society groups, professional networks, artists, students, and faith-based organisations, says the festival is nothing more than a “Zionist propaganda event” designed to whitewash “genocide and apartheid” amid the ongoing violence in Gaza.
“An affront to Ghana’s values”
In a statement released on Monday, the groups stressed that hosting the festival runs contrary to Ghana’s long tradition of anti-imperialist struggle and solidarity with liberation movements.
“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 said.
They accused Israel of being responsible for the deaths of more than 200,000 Palestinians — about 10 percent of Gaza’s population — through bombings, sniper attacks, and starvation.
High-profile Ghanaians join call
The campaign has the backing of several well-known Ghanaians, including veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr., former CHRAJ boss Emile Short, filmmaker Nii Kwate Owoo, academic Audrey Gadzekpo, scholar Dzodzi Tsikata, trade unionist Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, media freedom advocate Kwame Karikari, and artist Wanlov the Kubolor.
Other signatories include Oliver Barker-Vormawor of Democracy Hub, Pan-Africanist Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, youth activist Hardi Yakubu, and feminist scholar Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo.
Sponsors, UniMac under fire
The coalition is also targeting the event’s listed sponsors and partners, including SAF STL Amandi Foundation, Kempinski Hotel, Rolider, Sienna Services, EON, and the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMac).
UniMac’s involvement, they argued, is particularly troubling because it is a publicly funded institution.
“Its support for this festival is a terrible abuse of public trust,” the statement added.
Boycott threat and planned protests
The groups are demanding that Silverbird Cinema and sponsors immediately withdraw from the festival or face boycotts.
“We demand Silverbird cancel this festival immediately and pledge never again to platform perpetrators of apartheid and genocide,” the statement read.
The coalition also announced plans to picket at Silverbird Cinema throughout the festival and urged the public to join in peaceful protests.
Broad support from civil society
The signatories cut across a wide spectrum, including Ghanaians Against Genocide, Justice and Freedom 4 Palestine, the All-Africa People’s Revolutionary Party, the Economic Fighters League, the Socialist Movement of Ghana, Rightify Ghana, Rastafari Council, Tax Justice Coalition Ghana, Feminist activists, LGBT+ Rights Ghana, and the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) Ghana movement.
With international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza growing, the coalition insists Ghana must not allow itself to be used to legitimise what they describe as a “racist, apartheid and genocidal regime.”
