The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is facing criticism from its members regarding the level of support it offered to Hamdan Ballal, the director of the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land." Ballal, along with Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, received acclaim for their film, which chronicles the destruction of a Palestinian community in the West Bank. Following their Oscar win, Ballal was attacked by Israeli settlers and detained by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

In response to Ballal's detainment, 690 Academy members signed a letter expressing their dissatisfaction with the Academy's initial reaction. The letter, obtained by Variety, criticized the Academy's first statement for not explicitly naming Ballal or "No Other Land." Signatories, including prominent figures like Mark Ruffalo, Ava DuVernay, Alfonso Cuarón, and Joaquin Phoenix, condemned the attacks on Ballal and his team, calling it "an attack on all those who dare to bear witness and tell inconvenient truths." The letter pledged continued support for the filmmakers.

The Academy's initial statement, emailed to its members on March 26, 2025, under the subject line "Our Global Film Community," addressed Ballal's detention without mentioning his name or the film. This prompted the dissenting letter from Academy members, who felt the statement was inadequate. They asserted their condemnation of the assault and detention, emphasizing the importance of artists' ability to tell stories without fear of reprisal. The members highlighted the significance of "No Other Land's" Oscar win, achieved without the advantages of wide distribution and expensive campaigns, underscoring the film's importance to the voting members.

Following the backlash, the Academy issued a follow-up statement specifically naming Hamdan Ballal and "No Other Land." The statement expressed regret for the initial omission and apologized to Ballal and other artists who felt unsupported. The Academy affirmed its condemnation of violence and the suppression of free speech.

Yuval Abraham, co-director of "No Other Land," acknowledged the Academy's apology on X, noting that it followed "intense pressure from 600+ principled academy members."

The strong response from Academy members signals a willingness to challenge the organization's leadership. The signatories declared their commitment to justice for Ballal and his fellow filmmakers, vowing to speak out when artists' safety is at risk.

The incident highlights the potential dangers faced by filmmakers who tackle sensitive and controversial topics. Despite winning an Oscar, "No Other Land" has not secured distribution in the United States. The Academy members who signed the letter demonstrated a commitment to defending artists and the truth. A more appropriate initial response from the Academy should have directly addressed Ballal and "No Other Land" and condemned the actions against him.

Ballal shared details of his ordeal, including being beaten by an Israeli settler and soldiers. He said he was kept blindfolded for over 20 hours under a freezing air conditioner. The film "No Other Land," co-directed by Ballal, Adra, Abraham, and Szor, focuses on the struggle over Masafer Yatta in the West Bank and the bond between Adra and Abraham.