Coralie Fargeat Withdraws ‘The Substance’ from Camerimage Film Festival Over Controversial Remarks by Festival Director

Director Coralie Fargeat has pulled her highly anticipated film The Substance from the prestigious Camerimage Film Festival following controversial and misogynistic remarks made by the festival’s director, Marek Żydowicz. The decision has sparked widespread outrage and solidarity within the film community, as Fargeat and her team stand up against gender discrimination in the industry.

Fargeat, who both wrote and directed The Substance—a film that has already been celebrated for its thought-provoking exploration of social issues—took to Instagram to announce her decision to withdraw the film from the festival. In her post, she expressed her shock and disappointment after discovering Żydowicz’s comments about female filmmakers and cinematographers. Fargeat confirmed that cinematographer Benjamin Kračun, who worked on The Substance, had also chosen to step away from the event in protest.

“I cannot in good conscience support a festival whose director has made such offensive, misogynistic remarks,” Fargeat wrote. “My film is about the power of change and the impact of social injustice, and it’s clear that such remarks should not be tolerated in any form.”

Fargeat’s decision came after Żydowicz’s controversial statements, published in a recent column in Cinematography World magazine. In the piece, Żydowicz suggested that increasing the presence of female filmmakers at Camerimage could lead to “mediocre productions.” He also questioned whether the festival should prioritize gender diversity over “artistic value,” even referencing other major festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice to justify his stance.

His comments were met with immediate backlash from multiple film organizations, including Women in Cinematography, the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), and the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG), all of whom condemned his remarks as discriminatory and harmful to women in the industry.

In response to the controversy, Żydowicz attempted to clarify his position, stating that his words had been “misinterpreted” and that he respects women’s rights. However, his apology did little to quell the anger from those who felt his comments reflected a deeper, systemic issue of gender inequality in the film world.

The Substance, which stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, explores themes of power dynamics and personal transformation, making Fargeat’s decision to withdraw from the festival even more poignant. By stepping away from Camerimage, Fargeat and her team are sending a clear message: there is no place for misogyny in the arts.

In her statement, Fargeat added, “We hope this decision sparks a necessary conversation and leads to meaningful change in the industry. We stand with all women filmmakers and creatives who are working toward a more equitable future.”

With The Substance‘s withdrawal from Camerimage, the controversy has become a rallying cry for the film community, calling for a re-evaluation of the ways in which women are treated and represented within the world of cinema. Fargeat’s bold stance is a reminder that artistic merit and diversity should never be mutually exclusive.

As the industry continues to grapple with these issues, the hope is that this incident will prompt lasting change, making space for more inclusive, equitable opportunities for all filmmakers, regardless of gender.