The Los Angeles Festival of Movies (LAFM), set to take place from April 9 to 12 in 2026, has announced its decision to part ways with MUBI as a presenting sponsor, as shared on Instagram Thursday. The festival, which began in 2024 with MUBI’s support, aimed to showcase the best of independent film in Los Angeles over a single weekend.

MUBI has faced significant internal and external challenges following a $100 million investment from Sequoia Capital, a venture capital firm linked to companies involved in Israeli military technology amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In August, MUBI CEO Efe Cakarel stated that the company’s profits are not connected to other firms in Sequoia’s portfolio.

The investment was secured in late May 2025, coinciding with MUBI’s acquisition of the film “Die My Love,” starring Jennifer Lawrence, for a reported $24 million at the Cannes Film Festival. MUBI did not comment on the recent developments with LAFM but referred back to Cakarel’s earlier statement.

Filmmakers and MUBI employees have urged the company to sever ties with Sequoia, including a request to remove Sequoia partner Andrew Reed from MUBI’s board. MUBI’s upcoming slate includes “Die My Love,” Kelly Reichardt’s “The Mastermind,” and Jim Jarmusch’s Venice Golden Lion winner “Father Mother Sister Brother.” At this year’s Venice Film Festival, Jarmusch expressed his concerns regarding MUBI’s relationship with Sequoia and mentioned discussions with its leadership about future actions.

In August, a letter signed by approximately half of MUBI’s staff was obtained, expressing their frustrations over the investment. Cakarel emphasized that Sequoia is a minor investor with no influence over programming or distribution decisions. An internal policy regarding ethical investments is expected to be released publicly on October 15.

Co-founders Micah Gottlieb and Sarah Winshall established the L.A. Festival of Movies in response to the discontinuation of the L.A. Film Festival in 2018. Gottlieb’s film non-profit Mezzanine also sponsors the festival. The full statement from LAFM, shared on Instagram, reads:

• “In the spirit of continuing to build trust and transparency with our community, we want to share that LAFM has parted ways with our presenting sponsor MUBI, due to its financial ties to Sequoia Capital, a company invested in Israeli military technology and the ongoing campaign of genocide in Gaza. This was not a decision taken lightly.”
• “LAFM is still a brand-new festival run by a fledgling nonprofit organization, and we are still largely dependent on corporate sponsorships and donations. This decision definitively puts us behind on our fundraising goals for next year.”
• “With MUBI, we were able to work with a marketing team that understood our mission of bold curation and supported us in cultivating dynamic spaces for cutting-edge arthouse and independent cinema. We are now actively seeking sponsors and donors who share those values.”
• “When we began in 2024, we arrived in an incredibly precarious environment for independent cinema. We planted a seed in a city dominated by the commercial film industry to build a foundation for the kind of film culture we want to perpetuate.”
• “Like many, we have been witnessing the genocide in real time on our social media feeds. And like many, we question our material ability to move the needle as a cultural arts organization. But we do not want to remain indifferent.”
• “We are so lucky to proceed with intention, curiosity, and warmth. It is these values that we want to imbue to our partners and to our audience. The support that we get from you goes a long way. Please consider supporting us, and help us make it to 2026.”

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