27/03/2025
Cinema Eye Core Team Statement on the Beating and Abduction of Hamdan Ballal
As proud members of the global nonfiction film community, we were horrified by the brutal attack and kidnapping of filmmaker Hamdan Ballal earlier this week. We are happy that Hamdan was released and is recovering from his injuries, but we condemn, without reservation, this incident and those who beat and abducted him.
For nearly two decades, Cinema Eye has celebrated documentaries that often require their filmmakers and craftspersons to put their lives at risk, whether in war zones or because their films take on powerful forces. Sadly, we have also had to memorialize some of those filmmakers, who died while making this work.
Over the past several years, there has been an uptick in the number of attacks by state actors at home and abroad on filmmakers and journalists. It is imperative that those of us who are part of this community, who celebrate and lift up these filmmakers and craftspersons, stand in solidarity with them when they are targeted or attacked.
We send our support and solidarity to Hamdan Ballal and to all filmmakers who continue to create in the face of violence, repression, and fear. Their courage reminds us why this work matters. We remain committed to honoring and defending those who risk so much to bring urgent, human stories to light.
Wendy Garrett
Jenn Murphy
Zoe Reiniger
AJ Schnack
