Cannes Film Festival jury member Paul Laverty has criticised Hollywood over the alleged treatment of actors including Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo for their public support of Gaza.
Speaking during the jury press conference at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Laverty condemned what he described as the blacklisting of artists who had spoken out against the war in Gaza.
“Isn’t it fascinating to see someone like Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo blacklisted because of their views in opposing the murder of women and children in Gaza,” Laverty said.
“Shame on Hollywood people who do that. My respect and total solidarity to them. They’re the best of us.”
Laverty, best known for his long-time collaboration with director Ken Loach, made the remarks while appearing alongside fellow jury members including Demi Moore, Stellan Skarsgård, Ruth Negga and Chloé Zhao. The jury is headed this year by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook.
The screenwriter also praised this year’s official Cannes poster featuring ‘Thelma & Louise’, despite criticism from French gender equality group Le Collectif 50/50 over the festival’s limited number of female directors in competition.
“Absolutely iconic. Quite brilliant,” Laverty said of the poster.
He later joked: “We don’t get bombed now because we’ve got this poster in Cannes.”
During the discussion, Laverty described Cannes as “a celebration of diversity, imagination, tenderness” at a time when the world was witnessing violence and conflict.
Last year, more than 350 figures from the film industry signed an open letter condemning silence surrounding the humanitarian impact of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Signatories included Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem.
Earlier this year, Sarandon claimed she had faced professional consequences in Hollywood because of her public support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Speaking at the Goya Awards in February, the Oscar-winning actor said she had been dropped by her agency and struggled to secure major studio work after participating in protests and speaking publicly on the issue.
