Advocacy, Artistic Freedom, News
FERA Supports ICFR’s Call to Release Belarusian Filmmaker Andrei Gnyot
16 July 2024
FERA, the Federation of European Screen Directors, is a strategic partner of the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR). Founded by the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, International Film Festival Rotterdam, and the European Film Academy, ICFR is dedicated to advocating for filmmakers facing severe threats or persecution due to their work.
ICFR’s mission is to defend the rights and safety of filmmakers — including directors, producers, and actors — who are at immediate risk. They provide support through advocacy, emergency funding, connecting filmmakers with support networks, and monitoring ongoing threats. In cases like that of Belarusian filmmaker Andrei Gnyot, who faces extradition and potential harm, ICFR works with partner organizations to campaign for his release and protect his rights.
FERA stands in solidarity with ICFR in defending creative freedom and promoting the safety of filmmakers worldwide.
ICFR Calls for the Release of Belarusian Filmmaker Andrei Gnyot
UPDATE (November 2024)
On Thursday, 21 October, Belarusian journalist and filmmaker Andrei Gnyot was released from his house arrest in Belgrade. He was waiting for a court decision in Serbia about being extradited to Belarus, where he would face potential imprisonment and torture.
Based on the court decision, the house arrest was lifted and Andrei Gnyot was able to leave Serbia. He is in a safe location now.
International protests this summer included the signing of a petition prior to the court case, with 750 members of the European film community joining and asking for his release.
UPDATE (September 2024)
Last September 11, the international and internal pressure on the Serbian authorities has resulted in the annulment of the decision to extradite Andrei Gnyot to Belarus. However, the Serbian court has also ordered for the case to be retried, so Andrei is not yet free to return to his life. He has now appealed for his release with the support of an appeal letter signed by over 780 international and Serbian artist, creators and intellectuals, including Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos and French actress Juliette Binoche. ICFR continues to monitor the case closely and repeats its call for Serbia’s immediate and unconditional release of Andrei Gnyot.
15 July 2024
Arrested and currently imprisoned in Serbia, Belarusian filmmaker/activist Andrei Gnyot is facing the immediate danger of being extradited to Belarus, where he is facing imprisonment, torture and even the possibility of a death penalty. The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR) urgently protests against his arrest and calls upon the Serbian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Andrei Gnyot.
Andrei Gnyot is known for making documentary footage during the Belarus 2020 protests and recording athletes’ appeals for free and fair elections. He is being prosecuted by the Belarusian regime for these activities. Andrei was arrested in Serbia because Interpol initially accepted the request of the Belarusian regime to search for him. Despite Interpol eventually dropping the request, Serbia did not release Andrei, and with their cooperation, Andrei could be extradited any moment.
Joining our colleagues at the European Film Academy (EFA), we stand in solidarity with the Belarusian Independent Film Academy (BIFA) and our Belarusian colleagues, several of whom continue to live under the pressure of the Belarusian regime’s constant persecution of its more outspoken and critical citizens.
Per the BIFA: “We urge international organizations, and human rights groups to appeal to the Serbian authorities to prevent the extradition of Andrei Gnyot to Belarus and to secure his immediate release. Time is of the essence; act now to save Andrei Gnyot.”
As Amnesty International writes, “Under international law which prohibits torture and inhuman treatment, Serbia must provide protection to Andrei Gnyot. We call on the Serbian government to ensure his safety and freedom.”
The ICFR is deeply worried about Andrei’s well-being and safety, and we urge all our allies, supporters and colleagues to support and amplify the call on the Serbian authorities for Andrei Gnyot’s immediate and unconditional release.