{"id":275706,"date":"2026-02-05T16:35:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/275706\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T16:35:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:35:11","slug":"at-last-minute-actress-sharon-stone-backs-out-of-la-israeli-film-festival-appearance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/275706\/","title":{"rendered":"At last minute, actress Sharon Stone backs out of LA Israeli Film Festival appearance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hollywood actress Sharon Stone canceled a planned appearance at the Los Angeles Israeli Film Festival<\/a> less than a week before she was scheduled to present an award, Israeli media reported Thursday.<\/p>\n

The star cited filming commitments, but the festival director suggested it may have been due to external pressure from anti-Israel activists. Stone has a history of supporting Jewish causes.<\/p>\n

Stone was scheduled to attend the opening night of the 37th annual festival at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills to present the Vision Award to Jewish American producer Lawrence Bender. Five days before the event, she informed organizers that she would no longer be able to attend, according to Channel 12.<\/p>\n

Stone cited a filming commitment in Australia as the reason for her cancellation, festival director and CEO Meir \u201cFoggy\u201d Fenigstein told Channel 12. Fenigstein said the timing of the decision was troubling and suggested it may have come amid outside pressure.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe the cancellation came as a result of pressure being put on her,\u201d Fenigstein said. \u201cApparently, people who know her approached her and told her that she shouldn\u2019t do it. It is unacceptable to cancel a few days before.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Since antisemitism skyrocketed around the world following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, numerous celebrities have backed out of appearances due to pressure from anti-Israel protesters. However, Stone has a strong track record of supporting Jews and Jewish causes. She has met with<\/a> former Israeli hostages and spoken out<\/a> against antisemitism, and she visited Israel<\/a> in 2013.<\/p>\n

There has been no public comment from Stone on the matter.<\/p>\n

Bender instead asked actor and comedian Tiffany Haddish, a personal friend, to step in and present the award on short notice, according to the report. That change was reflected on the festival website.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tTiffany Haddish in her 2019 Netflix comedy special, \u2018Black Mitzvah.\u2019 (Courtesy Netflix)<\/p>\n

The festival opened Wednesday night in Los Angeles and will run through February 19, showcasing dozens of Israeli films. Among the opening screenings was \u201cLetter to David,\u201d directed by Tom Shoval, about David Cunio, who was abducted from his home during the October 7 onslaught and returned last year.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition of the Israel Film Festival, founded in 1982 by Fenigstein, also features works by prominent Israeli filmmakers, including Eran Riklis, who was honored with a cinematic achievement award. Film screenings will be at the Regal Theater in North Hollywood and the Fine Art Theater in Beverly Hills.<\/p>\n

Stone, who herself is not Jewish, is one of Hollywood\u2019s leading stars of the 1990s, best known for her roles in films such as \u201cBasic Instinct,\u201d \u201cCasino\u201d and \u201cTotal Recall.\u201d In recent years, Stone has remained active in film and television while also speaking publicly on issues including health, philanthropy and the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n


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