News / Arnolfini Arts
Arnolfini ‘in positive talks’ following backlash to cancellation of Palestinian film events
An art gallery that faced a major backlash after cancelling Bristol Palestine Film Festival events has said it is in “positive and collaborative talks” with those affected.
Arnolfini trustees issued an apology in January after the decision not to host a film screening and spoken word poetry night met with widespread outrage, prompting sit-in protests and leading to more than 1,000 artists refusing to work with the venue.
Musicians from Massive Attack and Portishead, poets, playwrights and composers signed an open letter saying they are “reluctantly” refusing to cooperate with the art gallery due to the “censorship” of the Palestinian events.
is needed now More than ever
The letter stated: “The decision by a publicly funded venue to censor Palestinian film and poetry events is a particularly concerning part of an alarming pattern of censorship and repression within the arts sector.”
A screening of the coming-of-age film Farha and a live poetry and spoken word evening had been due to take place at the Arnolfini on December 2 as part of Bristol Palestine Film Festival but had to be relocated to different venues when the art gallery on the harbourside made the decision to cancel them.
An open letter demanding an explanation for this decision gained more than 2,300 signatures.
A statement issued by the Arnolifini on Wednesday indicates the gallery is currently in “positive and collaborative talks” with Bristol Palestine Film Festival, Bristol Artists for Palestine and partners.
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The gallery says: “[We] are working respectfully and supportively to understand the impact of recent months, and to develop Arnolfini through continued learning and reflection.
“We hope to be able to share a more action-focused statement based on the outcomes of these talks in the coming weeks. However, we don’t wish to rush the process, which is necessarily a long one due to the number of people involved. In the meantime, we wanted to let people know that work is underway.
“We want to thank all of the individual artists, collectives and organisations that have worked with us so far. We are very appreciative for all of the helpful ongoing conversations taking place.”
Arnolfini trustees issued an apology in January after the decision not to host a film screening and spoken word poetry night met with widespread outrage, prompting sit-in protests and and leading to more than 1,000 artists refusing to work with the venue – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Martin Booth
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