Actress Sharon Stone backs out of LA Israeli Film Festival due to scheduling conflict

Hollywood actress Sharon Stone canceled a planned appearance at the Los Angeles Israeli Film Festival less than a week before she was scheduled to present an award, Hebrew media reported Thursday. The star cited filming commitments.

The festival director originally suggested it may have been due to external pressure from anti-Israel activists, but later retracted the claim. A source familiar with the matter also told The Times of Israel that the claim was untrue.

Stone has a history of supporting Jewish causes.

Stone was scheduled to attend Wednesday’s 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.

Stone cited a filming commitment in Australia as the reason for her cancellation, festival director and CEO Meir “Foggy” Fenigstein told Channel 12. Fenigstein said the timing of the decision was troubling and suggested it may have come amid outside pressure.

“I believe the cancellation came as a result of pressure being put on her,” Fenigstein said. “Apparently, people who know her approached her and told her that she shouldn’t do it. It is unacceptable to cancel a few days before.”

However, Fenigstein retracted the accusation in a later interview with Israel Hayom. “I know there were rumors about threats against her, but they weren’t true,” he said.

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 former Israeli hostages and spoken out against antisemitism, and she visited Israel in 2013.

There has been no public comment from Stone on the matter.

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.

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

This year’s 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.

Stone, who herself is not Jewish, is one of Hollywood’s leading stars of the 1990s, best known for her roles in films such as “Basic Instinct,” “Casino” and “Total Recall.” In recent years, Stone has remained active in film and television while also speaking publicly on issues including health, philanthropy and the entertainment industry.