Thirty filmmakers demand that Mubi "not be linked to the genocide in Gaza."

BarcelonaThe financial relationship between the film platform and distributor Mubi and the American investment firm Sequoia Capital has sparked a debate in the international film community. According to an exclusive published by Variety, more than 35 filmmakers linked to the platform have signed a letter demanding that Mubi break with the investor, publicly condemn him, and adopt a code of ethics to avoid similar relationships in the future. The letter was filed by Mubi in late May and contributed by Sequoia Capital, a Silicon Valley-based investment firm that has also funded the Israeli military technology company Kela. Kela, a military technology company founded in July 2024 by Israeli intelligence veterans. Variety June 14, Sequoia led a $10 million initial round of funding for Kela and reinforced its stake with a $60 million second round. Kela develops battlefield operating systems that integrate artificial intelligence and commercial technology.

The letter from the filmmakers, who have worked with Mubi as directors, writers, or actors in films distributed by the platform, denounces that Mubi's expansion "is explicitly linked to the genocide in Gaza" and that its alliance with Sequoia represents a "betrayal of the values" that define it. The manifesto echoes the destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage and the deaths of journalists and artists, and accuses the company of prioritizing economic growth at the expense of "the lives of the marginalized." The signatories demand a public condemnation of Sequoia for "profiteering from genocide," the expulsion of its partner Andrew Reed from Mubi's board of directors, and the establishment of a code of ethics that includes criteria such as those of the Palestinian-led Cultural and Academic Boycott of Israel (PACBI).

In a statement posted on Instagram on June 14, Mubi responded to the criticism by stating that the collaboration with Sequoia aims to "accelerate the mission of bringing brave and visionary cinema to global audiences." The company added that "the beliefs of individual investors do not reflect those of Mubi." Despite this response, several festivals and cultural institutions have decided to cancel collaborations with the platform. The Center for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow, the Cineteca Nacional of Mexico, the Cinemateca de Bogotá, and the Melbourne International Film Festival have announced that they are disassociating themselves from the Mubi Fest, a project that planned to host activities in twelve cities. The Valdivia Festival in Chile has said it will not screen any films distributed by Mubi.

Some organizations such as Girls in Film have broken with Mubi after seven years of collaboration, criticizing it for prioritizing commercial growth over support for oppressed groups. Likewise, the Film Workers for Palestine collective, with more than 9,000 members, has declared itself "horrified" by Sequoia's entry and demands its withdrawal.

Mubi, founded eighteen years ago by Turkish entrepreneur Efe Cakarel, has evolved from a streaming platform to a production and distribution company with international reach. Recently, it has acquired films at Cannes, such asDie my love(2025), starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. In 2024, a festival in Türkiye was cancelled due to censorship.Queer, by Luca Guadagnino, and its catalogue includes Palestinian and Gaza films, such asEyes of Gaza(2024).