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Ontario cinema pulls out of Jewish film festival over ‘safety concerns’

Jewish organistion ‘outraged’ over the Playhouse Cinema’s choice to revoke the use of its venue for the annual festival

March 21, 2024 14:31
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The Playhouse Cinema, an independent art house theatre in Hamilton, Ontario, sparked outrage on Tuesday for revoking the use of its venue for the upcoming Jewish Film Festival. (Photo: Playhouse Cinema via X)
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An independent arthouse cinema in Ontario, Canada has revoked the use of its venue for a Jewish film festival due to “safety and security concerns,” according to a statement released on Tuesday.

“After receiving numerous security and safety related emails, phone calls, and social media messages, the Playhouse Cinema reached a difficult decision to postpone the Hamilton Jewish Federation's venue rental,” the statement by Hamilton Playhouse Cinema read.

“Our decision to postpone this venue rental was reached amid security and safety concerns at this particularly sensitive time. The Playhouse Cinema's mission is to be a welcome home to a variety of cultural groups, serving the Hamilton area through our film programming, and in offering our venue for rentals.”

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Canada