Approximately 10 filmmakers reportedly threatened to remove their films from the festival over Lapid’s Israeli nationality.
By Shula Rosen
Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid has withdrawn from the jury of the Marseille-based FID festival after a campaign by pro-Palestinian filmmakers threatened the participation of multiple projects over his inclusion in the event.
The festival, scheduled to run from July 7-12, had invited Lapid to serve on its jury. According to festival director Tsveta Dobreva, the decision was based exclusively on his work as a filmmaker.
“We invited Nadav Lapid solely out of respect for his filmmaking,” Dobreva told Le Monde. “That is the only criterion at FID.”
The dispute escalated after approximately 10 filmmakers reportedly threatened to remove their films from the festival. The objections focused on Lapid’s Israeli nationality.
In response, festival organizers sought a compromise. Rather than keeping him on the jury, management proposed removing Lapid from the panel while organizing a separate event highlighting his body of work.
Lapid rejected the proposal and chose not to participate in the festival in any capacity.
The director subsequently criticized the festival’s handling of the controversy, condemning what he described as “insane, systematic fanaticism” and accusing organizers of lacking the courage to resist external pressure.
His departure prompted support from within France’s film community. A large number of French filmmakers circulated an open letter and petition backing Lapid following his decision to leave the event.
Lapid, who has lived in France since 2021, is known for films that frequently examine political and social issues in Israel.
His 2025 film Yes is a political satire focused on contemporary Israeli society.
Although he has built a reputation for sharp criticism of the Israeli government and has premiered works at Cannes, Lapid said the campaign against his participation was not tied to his political views.
Instead, he maintained that opposition to his role at the festival stemmed solely from his identity as an Israeli.
The controversy has drawn attention within the film industry ahead of the July festival, where Lapid was initially expected to play a central role as a member of the international jury.
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