We, the undersigned, unite in our call for the immediate stepping down of the senior leadership, at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute (BMFI), who are responsible for the deeply flawed decision to cancel the screening of "The Child Within Me." We consider this step imperative, indicative of our shared dismay and the gravity with which we view this violation of trust and values.

The event that necessitated a court injunction for the film's screening has illuminated a critical concern: the alarming escalation of antisemitism and the suppression of Jewish and Israeli cultural expressions due to external pressures and fear. By opting to cancel the screening under a pretense of neutrality—targeting a film unrelated to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—BMFI has alarmingly succumbed to a terrifying and unacceptable trend of cancel culture and exclusion. This action starkly contradicts the principles of freedom of expression and global cultural exploration, setting a dangerous precedent that is both terrifying and utterly unacceptable.

We are confronted with an unprecedented escalating wave of antisemitism in the Lower Merion community, evidenced by swastikas on synagogues, dehumanizing flyers, widespread blood libels, and relentless antisemitic rhetoric on local campuses. The decision by BMFI to exclude an Israeli film solely because of its national identity, under the false pretext of political neutrality, is a stance we cannot and will not ignore. 

Part of the charm and mission of the BMFI is its commitment to showcasing international, apolitical films, celebrating the diversity of global cultures and stories. Movies from countries entangled in conflicts like Iran, China, Russia, Syria, and others are regularly screened, pointing to a glaring double standard in the decision not to screen an Israeli movie unrelated to any conflict. Thus, the decision to cancel the screening of an Israeli film deviates from its core values and demonstrates a bias that succumbs to antisemitic pressures.

We, the undersigned members of the community, respectfully request the immediate resignation of leadership involved in the regrettable decision to cancel the screening. We are prepared to withdraw all forms of support from the Institute, including ending memberships and subscriptions, halting financial contributions, and refraining from future screenings. This decision is made with regret but is necessary to stand against the antisemitism and cultural censorship that have emerged. Importantly, Leadership did not voluntarily choose to reverse their decision; the film was screened solely due to a court's intervention.

The apology issued by BMFI was too little and too late. "We are flawed and have blind spots. Sometimes we make bad calls," they admitted. While acknowledging these faults, the magnitude of the decision to cancel the screening under pressure demands more than acknowledgment—it requires accountability. When the leadership of an institution that symbolizes boldness, global culture, and stands against cancel culture caves to fear, it is imperative that they step down to preserve the integrity of their mission.