Jewish American director Sarah Friedland condemns 'Israel's genocide in Gaza' in Venice Film Festival award speech

American film director Sarah Friedland became the latest artist at the 81st Venice Film Festival to spotlight the war on Gaza during the weekend's ceremony.

Friedland, who is of Jewish descent, took the stage after winning an award for her debut film Familiar Touch to express her solidarity with Palestinians and condemn Israel's military onslaught on the besieged enclave.

The director echoed the sentiments of various critics who had condemned the Israeli military campaign within the film industry as Israel's campaign killed over 40,000 people - most of whom were women and children.

"As a Jewish American artist working in a time-based medium, I must note, I’m accepting this award on the 336th day of Israel's genocide in Gaza and 76th year of occupation," Friedland said in her acceptance speech for the Luigi de Laurentiis prize. 

"I believe it is our responsibility as filmmakers to use the institutional platforms through which we work to redress Israel’s impunity on the global stage. I stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their struggle for liberation." 

Kathleen Chalfant, the leading actress in Friedland's film, also addressed the war on Gaza as she accepted the festival's Best Actor award for her performance as a woman who is adjusting to assisted living. 

She expressed her hope that the catastrophic situation in the region would soon end, allowing people on both sides to "live in peace, freedom, and justice". 

The speeches were met with rousing applause from the audience, signalling strong support from those in attendance. 

Jewish American filmmaker Sarah Friedland used her acceptance speech at the Venice Film Festival’s awards ceremony to denounce Israel’s war on Gaza, labeling it a genocide.

Friedland won the Luigi de Laurentiis prize for best first film for Familiar Touch and also won the best… pic.twitter.com/oOMMELS2f7

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Additionally, Palestinian screenwriter Scandar Copti used his stage time to pay homage to his community, following his award win for best screenplay on behalf of his film Happy Holidays. 

Happy Holidays tells the story of exploring the interconnected lives of four characters in the Israeli city of Haifa as they navigate diverse generational and cultural backgrounds. 

"I stand here deeply honoured, yet profoundly affected by the difficult times we're living through over the past 11 months, our shared humanity and moral compass have been tested as we witness the ongoing genocide in Gaza," Copti said in his winning speech. 

"This painful reality reminds us of the devastating consequences of oppression, which is a theme in our film. Our film looks at how moral narratives can bring us together as communities, but also blind us to the suffering of others." 

The support for Palestinians during the film festival stirred an outpouring of approval online. 

On social media platform X, Palestinian-American imam and activist Omar Suleiman praised director Sarah Friedland’s comments and regarded the speech as a “powerful address”. 

"What a way to use your platform," he added. 

"Hats off, and respect to, Jewish American director Sarah Friedland who accepted her Venice Film Festival Award for her debut film ‘Familiar Touch’ in the name, and in support, of Palestinians facing "the 336th day of Israel’s genocide in Gaza," Greek economist and politician Yanis Varoufakis also wrote in an X post. 

The film and TV world has increasingly voiced its criticism as the war has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90 percent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million, often multiple times. 

Last week, Hollywood A-listers such as the likes of Mark Ruffalo, Mahershala Ali, Cynthia Nixon and Ilana Glazer, kickstarted its latest call to action to halt illegal arms sales to Israel, as part of the industry collective Artists4Ceasefire.