Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra has firmly denied claims that it is sponsoring the Israeli Film Festival set to take place at Silverbird Cinema, Accra Mall, from September 16 to 20, 2025.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 16, the hotel clarified that it has no affiliation with the event and was unaware that its name and logo had been included in promotional materials.

“Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra is not a sponsor of the Israeli Film Festival,” the statement said. “The hotel has only recently become aware that its name and logo have been included on the event’s advertising and promotional materials. This information is inaccurate and was published without the hotel’s knowledge or authorisation.”

The management of Kempinski has instructed the Israeli Embassy and the festival’s organisers to immediately rectify the error and update all advertising to reflect the hotel’s non-involvement.

“We respectfully request that the Israeli Embassy and all event organisers take immediate steps to correct the promotional materials to reflect the fact that Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra is not a sponsor of this event,” the statement concluded.

The clarification comes amid public backlash and growing calls from nearly 400 individuals and organisations for the festival’s cancellation over concerns that it seeks to “whitewash genocide and apartheid” amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Kempinski’s strong denial seeks to distance the hotel from the controversy as protests and boycotts are planned throughout the duration of the festival.

A coalition of nearly 400 individuals and organisations has called for the immediate cancellation of the Israeli Film Festival scheduled to take place at Silverbird Cinema, Accra Mall, from today, Tuesday, September 16 to 20, 2025.

The coalition, which includes prominent public figures, academics, artists, activists, and faith-based organisations, argues that the event is an attempt to “whitewash genocide and apartheid” amid the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

In a strongly worded statement, the group urged Silverbird Cinema to pull out of hosting the festival and demanded that all sponsors, including Kempinski Hotel, SAF STLAmandi Foundation, Rolider, Sienna Services, EON, and the University of Media, Arts and Communications (UniMac), immediately withdraw their support.

But the Hotel says it has nothing to do with the festival.

“We cannot stand by while the genocide of Palestinians is laundered through art and culture. Ghana has always stood on the side of the oppressed – today we must stand with Palestine,” the coalition said in their statement.

The movement has drawn support from some of Ghana’s most influential figures, including veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr, former CHRAJ Commissioner Justice Emile Short, filmmaker Nii Kwate Owoo, academics Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo and Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, Prof. Takyiwaa Manuh, activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, and Economic Fighters' League leader Ernesto Yeboah, among others. The diversity of signatories, which spans trade unions, student networks, feminist groups, and human rights organisations, signals the depth of public concern.

The group has threatened to picket at the Silverbird at Accra Mall today as part of the protest.

Read Also: Ghanaians unite to demand cancellation of Israeli Film Festival at Silverbird over Gaza genocide concerns