Jewish film festival in Sweden cancelled after cinemas refuse to host it
Swedish Jewish film festival axed after every Malmö cinema declined to participate, prompting condemnation from the culture minister
A Jewish film festival in Sweden has been cancelled after every cinema in the city of Malmö refused to host screenings, citing security concerns.
The organisers of the Jewish International Film Festival, planned as a four-day celebration of 250 years of Jewish life in Sweden, said the event had been “stonewalled” by all commercial and art-house venues in the city.
One organiser told Sweden’s public broadcaster SVT: “A couple of them refer to security concerns. They are worried something might happen. I don’t understand what security threat there could be with showing Jewish films.”
Co-organiser and journalist Sofia Nerbrand said police had even offered to provide security outside cinemas. Writing on X, she said: “The Jewish film festival that we planned in Malmö must now be cancelled because no cinema dares to rent out its premises. It is outrageous if Sweden cannot protect cinemagoers who are interested in Jewish film.”
Sweden’s Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand called the situation “an absolute disaster for society,” adding: “That one of our national minorities feels so vulnerable, and that organisers believe they cannot arrange events and cultural activities with Jewish content, is an absolute disaster for society.”
Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson said: “If we are serious about Jews feeling safe in Sweden, we must put an end to the culture where vulnerable people are expected to step aside for their attackers. Those who praise terrorism and persecute Jews have no place in our country.”
At least five cinemas operate in Malmö, including one run by Sweden’s largest chain Filmstaden, which declined to host the festival over “safety concerns”. “Our priority is always to ensure a safe and positive experience for both our guests and employees,” a spokesperson said.
The city’s Folkets Hus Theatre also refused for the same reason, while independent cinema Panora told Swedish media its decision was due to scheduling rather than safety.
Malmö, which hosted this year’s Eurovision Song Contest amid large-scale pro-Palestinian protests, has a long history of antisemitic incidents. The Simon Wiesenthal Centre warned in 2010 that Jews visiting the city should take “extreme precautions”, following arson attacks on its Jewish chapel in 2009 and 2017.
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