More than 100 international film directors, producers, actors and industry workers have signed an open letter to a French film festival to protest against its decision to highlight Israeli films.

Signatories including British directors Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki and English-Australian actress Miriam Margolyes on Wednesday expressed “deep concern” over the festival’s decision “to associate with the Israeli government as it is intensifying occupation, settlement policy and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.”

They urge the festival management to withdraw its partnership with Israeli authorities.

The FIPA festival this week in Biarritz, in southwestern France, aims to give the public the “opportunity to appreciate Israeli content and talent and to increase the sharing of experiences within the domains of writing, digital creation and training. Israel displays a remarkable expertise, a unique model of production, a stimulating artistic approach, and widely exported content,” the festival’s website said.

“Considered a breeding ground of new talent, Israeli productions are renowned for their creativity, and their film schools for their high level of innovation. Numerous productions have been successfully adapted such as Homeland or In Treatment. This focus on Israel allows for the opening up of new coproduction and collaboration opportunities in a growing marketplace, thanks to the presence of many Israeli institutions, professionals, and educational establishments.”

Running since 1987, FIPA is the only international festival that features all creative genres: drama, series, creative or investigative documentary, performing arts and new talent. In previous years the festival focused on Australia, Canada and Spain.