Joaquin Phoenix, Andrew Garfield Join Growing Boycott of israeli Film Institutions
Jakarta – Hollywood stars Joaquin Phoenix and Andrew Garfield have added their names to a growing list of film industry professionals pledging to boycott institutions and companies perceived as supporting the Israeli government’s actions in Palestine. The commitment, organized by Film Workers for Palestine, now includes nearly 4,000 signatories as of Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
The open letter, initially published on Monday, September 8, 2025, calls for an end to involvement with entities that “justify genocide and apartheid, and also partnering with the government who did it.” Signatories are committing to not work with organizations including the Jerusalem Film Festival, Haifa International Film Festival, Docaviv, and TLVfest. the movement draws inspiration from Filmmakers United Against Apartheid, established in 1987 and spearheaded by Jonathan Demme and Martin Scorsese.
Among the initial 1,200 signatories were prominent directors Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava Duvernay, Adam McKay, and Joshua Oppenheimer, alongside filmmakers Mike Leigh. additional notable names included Emma Stone,Olivia colman,ayo Edebiri,Lily Gladstone,Mark Ruffalo,Riz Ahmed,Tilda Swinton,Javier Bardem,and Josh O’Connor.
The list expanded significantly in the days following its release, adding Phoenix, garfield, Nicola Coughlan, Rooney mara, Elliot Page, Emma D’Arcy, and Guy Pearce. Jonathan Glazer, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Fisher Stevens, Abbi Jacobson, Eric Andre, and Payal Kapadia also joined the boycott.
Phoenix and Mara have previously demonstrated their support for Palestinian causes, serving as executive producers on the Venice Award-winning drama The Voice of Hind Rajab, a film focusing on the situation in Gaza, and wearing Palestinian support pins at the festival.
Film Workers for Palestine stated, “This is a moment of urgent crisis, when many governments actually support bloodshed in Gaza.We must do everything that can end the involvement in the endless horror.” The organization represents a broad spectrum of the film and television industry, including Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy, and Palme d’Or winners.
