Arnolfini Centre for Contemporary Arts in Bristol, September 2016:

Arnolfini said it was "beyond our available resources to adequately risk-assess" the events

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Arnolfini pulls Palestinian film over ‘political activity’ concerns

Bristol's Arnolfini gallery said it "could not be confident the event would not stray into political activity", which would be at odds with its remit as a charitable organisation.

Mary Stone
4 min read

An international arts centre, due to host events as part of the Bristol Palestine Film Festival, will no longer participate, citing concerns that, as a charity, it is "legally obliged" to remain apolitical.

The film festival posted on X this week that it was “disappointed” the contemporary gallery and arts space Arnolfini would no longer host two festival events on 2 December.

Arnolfini later announced that, “following careful consideration" it had taken the “difficult decision” not to host a screening of the coming-of-age film Farha, followed by a panel discussion and a live poetry night. Both were due to feature the musician and activist Lowkey.

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Nearly 2,000 people have signed an open letter criticising the gallery’s decision, noting that it hosted a film screening and panel discussion last year as part of the festival.

The two rescheduled events will now take place at the nearby arthouse cinema Watershed and the ethical department store and artist space Sparks.

Political activity

In its statement, Arnolfini cited the “difficulty for arts charities hosting events that might be construed as political activity”. The gallery said because the events included film, performance and discussion panels it "could not be confident that the event would not stray into political activity.”

“The current tensions … mean it is more likely events might be construed as political activity; it is beyond our available resources to adequately risk-assess [such] events at this current time.”

Posting a link to Charity Commission guidance, Arnolfini said: “The guidance covering what is deemed political activity for arts charities is complicated. It is also the case that what activities might fall under the remit of this guidance can change depending on wider events. 

“Arnolfini is legally obligated to follow this guidance.” It added it was “pleased” the events would go ahead elsewhere. 

Arnolfini is a charity and part of the University of the West of England. It is supported by Arts Council England (ACE) and the Ashley Clinton Barker-Mills Trust.

Both Arnolfini and Watershed are ACE National Portfolio Organisations, receiving £696,780 and £757,984 a year respectively. Artspace Lifespace, which runs Sparks and is also a registered charity, received a National Lottery Project Grant of £49,983 in May 2023.

'Focus on the films'

TV and film producer Alison Sterling, one of the festival's organisers, said they would “prefer not to comment on the decision by Arnolfini” and instead “keep the focus on the films, the filmmakers and the people of Palestine, and to deliver a great festival for the people of Bristol”.

Watershed has hosted the Bristol Palestine Film Festival since it started in 2011. It said: "Given the high level of dialogue around the festival this year, Watershed has undertaken an additional and comprehensive risk assessment of the activities planned within the festival from an operational, strategic and reputational point of view."

It added all its festival screenings are of "highly-regarded work" and therefore aligned to its charitable remit and mission to "programme cultural cinema to bring people together, in dialogue, about the world we live in". 

ACE did not comment other than to note that its funding recipients are "responsible for their own operations, including artistic programme decisions and day-to-day management of their activities".

It added: "The safety of people working in and visiting arts and culture venues must come first. We encourage any organisation with concerns to follow appropriate guidance."

The Charity Commission did not comment but stated that "it is for trustees to determine what activities are in the best interests of their charities and charitable purposes", adding, "When considering campaigning and political activity, charity trustees must carefully weigh up the possible benefits against the costs and risks in deciding whether engaging in political activity is likely to be an effective way of furthering or supporting the charity’s purposes."

Arts Professional has approached Arnolfini for comment.