Israel’s official entry for the Oscars, Moshe Rosenthal’s Tell Me Everything, has been withdrawn from the Everybody’s Perfect film festival in Switzerland following protests and calls for a boycott. The festival’s decision has sparked significant debate about artistic freedom and political tensions surrounding Israeli cinema.
Festival’s Commitment to Human Rights
The Geneva-based Everybody’s Perfect film festival aims to gather individuals who promote human rights and LGBTQ+ issues globally. Sylvie Cachin, the festival’s artistic director, emphasized the urgency of bringing people together in today’s polarized world. “Art and cinema can foster discussions and advocacy for LGBTIQ+ rights,” she noted, acknowledging the challenge of remaining focused on these values amidst rising tensions.
Tell Me Everything, premiering at Sundance, garnered acclaim, winning the top award at Israel’s Ophir Awards, which secures its spot in the Academy Awards race. However, the festival’s communications chief, Charlotte Sector, revealed that the film was withdrawn due to “deprogramming” following threats received from rival festivals and various activist groups based in Geneva.
Challenges Faced by the Festival
Sector expressed the difficulty of navigating this situation, highlighting the festival’s lack of resources compared to larger events like Sundance. The planned screenings for October 13 and 17 were canceled to preempt potential protests and additional political backlash. The narrative of Tell Me Everything revolves around a young boy grappling with significant family changes against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis, which was intended to spark thoughtful conversations.
The cast features Keren Tzur, Neta Orbach, and Mor Demari, but regrettably, the festival had to step back from showcasing the film. The decision was made with “great regret” as it conflicted with the event’s mission of promoting peace and unity within the diverse LGBTQ+ community. The fallout from this decision highlights the pervasive political divides surrounding Israel and Palestine.
Polarization and Backlash
The festival has faced backlash from multiple sides, indicating how emotionally charged the discourse surrounding Israeli cinema has become. Sector noted the influx of “hate messages” from progressive groups opposing the cancellation, asserting that the festival was wrong to drop a queer-themed Israeli film. “This is indeed a precarious position,” she admitted, as the festival encounters discontent from various perspectives—right, left, and center.
Despite these challenges, Sector maintained that the film represents artistic expression. She lamented the sad reality that politics have overshadowed the film’s artistic merits. The film confronts themes related to the AIDS epidemic in the ’80s, aiming to evoke empathy and promote understanding—elements central to any artistic expression.
The Broader Context of Boycotts
Calls for boycotts against Israeli films are an ongoing concern within the arts community. A protest during the Locarno film festival in 2026 highlighted tensions directly linked to ongoing conflicts, and in September, numerous Hollywood figures signed a pledge organized by Film Workers for Palestine, advocating for a boycott of Israeli film industry entities. This reflects a broader trend of significant cultural pushback against Israeli narratives.
In contrast, Israeli filmmakers argue that such cultural boycotts are counterproductive and inhibit dialogue that could foster peace. They contend that artistic platforms should be a space for discussion, not division. In this complex atmosphere, the festival’s decision to withdraw Tell Me Everything underscores the intricate relationship between art and politics in contemporary cinema, demonstrating how deeply interwoven these two realms have become.