Jewish film festival in Sweden forced to postpone showings over security concern claims: ‘It is outrageous’

A Jewish film festival set to begin next month in Sweden, has been postponed indefinitely, after several local cinemas refused to screen the films with claims of safety and security concerns.

Sofia Nerbrand, one of the organizers of the Jewish International Film Festival in Malmö, confirmed the news on X, noting “no cinema dares to rent out its premises” to host screenings.

Folkets Hus, “which had previously said yes” to the festival’s organizers, “has withdrawn due to security reasons,” Nerbrand shared Thursday.

“It is outrageous if Sweden cannot protect cinema-goers who are interested in Jewish film. … We can’t have it like this.”

The festival, founded last year, would have marked 250 years of Jewish life in Sweden.

But Nerbrand, and other cultural ambassadors in the country, have not given up.

“We MUST arrange the Jewish film festival in Malmö,” she wrote on X. “It must be possible to find a venue. Many engaged people have reached out during the day with everything from cheers to concrete suggestions. That still gives hope.

“At the same time, more people must realize that violent anti-semites are a serious societal problem, because they spread fear, silence, and appeasement,” she continued. “It’s not just about Jews, but about Sweden.”

The festival was booked to run from Nov. 29 through Dec. 2.

Ola Tedin, another organizer, told Swedish broadcaster SVT she doesn’t “understand what security threat there could be with showing Jewish films.”

A statement from the festival said they had been “stonewalled by all commercial and arthouse cinemas in the city.”

Before finding new venues for the festival, the organizers plan to first “pause to gather strength.”

Swedish movie theater chain Filmstaden released a statement Saturday saying, in part, “Our priority is always to ensure a safe and positive experience for both our guests and employees.”