Busan: The Indian film Karinji made headlines at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Busan International Film Festival with a strong message of solidarity for Palestine. During the red carpet walk, members of the crew donned keffiyehs and held placards reading “We stand with Palestine” and “Stop the genocide,” drawing global attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The film’s director highlighted the significance of leveraging international platforms to speak against injustice. “Cinema reaches audiences across the world. We want to use this opportunity to shed light on the struggles faced by Palestinian civilians,” the director stated. The crew’s act was widely covered by media at the festival and received applause from the international audience, marking a rare political gesture by an Indian film team at a global cinema event.
Karinji’s participation underscores a growing trend where filmmakers integrate activism into their art, using their platforms to address human rights issues. The gesture sparked conversations on the role of art in social justice and the responsibility of artists to engage with global humanitarian concerns.
The festival appearance also reflected solidarity beyond borders, emphasizing the universality of humanitarian empathy. Observers noted that such acts could inspire filmmakers worldwide to combine storytelling with advocacy, encouraging dialogue on pressing global issues.
The event highlighted the increasing intersection of cinema, culture, and political consciousness, showing that artistic expression and social responsibility can coexist on prestigious international stages.
