Filmmakers Condemn Mubi’s Ties to Israeli Military
Almost 40 filmmakers have signed a letter condemning Mubi, a streaming platform and film distributor, for its connections to Sequoia Capital, an investment company with ties to the Israeli military. The filmmakers, who have previously worked with Mubi, are calling on the company to rethink its relationship with Sequoia in light of the ongoing war in Gaza.
Concerns Over Sequoia’s Investments
The letter highlights Sequoia’s investments in Israeli military technology companies, including Kela, a startup that develops operating systems for integrating artificial intelligence and commercial technology into military operations. The filmmakers argue that Mubi’s financial growth is now "explicitly connected to the genocide in Gaza," which implicates all those who work with the company.
Destruction of Palestinian Cultural Sites
The letter also condemns the widespread destruction of Palestinian cultural sites and the killing of journalists, artists, and film workers. The filmmakers believe that an arthouse film platform like Mubi cannot claim to support a global community of cinephiles while working with a company that profits from the murder of Palestinian artists and filmmakers.
Call to Action
The filmmakers are calling on Mubi to publicly condemn Sequoia Capital for its "genocide profits," remove Sequoia partner Andrew Reed from Mubi’s board of directors, and adopt an ethical investment policy that respects the guidelines set by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
Signatories to the Letter
The letter has been signed by several prominent filmmakers, including Aki Kaurismäki, Joshua Oppenheimer, Radu Jude, and Nina Menkes. Other signatories include Jessica Beshir, Robert Greene, Kazik Radwanski, and Carson Lund.
Mubi’s Response
Mubi has previously responded to criticism over its ties to Sequoia Capital, stating that the convictions of individual investors do not reflect the company’s views. However, the filmmakers are demanding more concrete action from the company to address their concerns.
The Full Letter
Dear Mubi leadership,
As filmmakers who have a professional relationship with Mubi, we want to express our serious concern about Mubi’s decision to accept $100 million in funding from Sequoia Capital, a private equity company that has invested in Israeli military technology companies. We believe that Mubi’s financial growth is now explicitly connected to the genocide in Gaza, which implicates all those who work with Mubi.
We approach our work with care and consideration for the people and communities we represent, and the audience that will see our films. However, Mubi’s decision to work with Sequoia shows a complete lack of accountability to the artists and communities that have helped the company succeed. We believe that it is our ethical duty not to cause harm, and we assume that our partners will at least refuse to profit from terrible violence against Palestinians.
We ask you to consider the call from film workers for Palestine and take measures that respond sensibly to the artists and audience who are essential to Mubi’s success.
Best regards,
Aki Kaurismäki
Radu Jude
Jessica Beshir
Joshua Oppenheimer
Robert Greene
Kazik Radwanski
Carson Lund
Michael Harrison
Nate Fisher
Blake Williams
Iva Radivojevic
Nina Menkes
Ben Rivers
Bingham Bryant
Kit Zauhar
Ian Edlund
Sarah Friedland
Kathleen Collins
Miguel Gomes
Constance Tsang
Truong Minh Quy
Deragh Campbell
Laura Huertas
John Smith
Andrea Luka Zimmerman
Cherie Saulter
Tyler Taormina
Erik Lund
Maureen Fazendeiro
Levan Akin
Courtney Stephens
Eric Baudelaire
Camilo Restrepo
Teddy Williams
Nahuel Perez Biscayart
Jussi Vatanen
Neo Sora
Sofia Bohdanowicz
List of Signatories
- Aki Kaurismäki
- Radu Jude
- Jessica Beshir
- Joshua Oppenheimer
- Robert Greene
- Kazik Radwanski
- Carson Lund
- Michael Harrison
- Nate Fisher
- Blake Williams
- Iva Radivojevic
- Nina Menkes
- Ben Rivers
- Bingham Bryant
- Kit Zauhar
- Ian Edlund
- Sarah Friedland
- Kathleen Collins
- Miguel Gomes
- Constance Tsang
- Truong Minh Quy
- Deragh Campbell
- Laura Huertas
- John Smith
- Andrea Luka Zimmerman
- Cherie Saulter
- Tyler Taormina
- Erik Lund
- Maureen Fazendeiro
- Levan Akin
- Courtney Stephens
- Eric Baudelaire
- Camilo Restrepo
- Teddy Williams
- Nahuel Perez Biscayart
- Jussi Vatanen
- Neo Sora
- Sofia Bohdanowicz
