Rust, the western whose production became notorious after the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has been screened for the first time at the Camerimage cinematography festival in Torun, Poland.

Hutchins was shot by a prop gun held by the film’s star and producer Alec Baldwin on set in New Mexico. Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter but the case was dismissed for evidence withholding, while Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armourer, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on the same charge, and assistant director David Halls given six months probation for negligent use of a deadly weapon. The film’s closing credits now contain a tribute to Hutchins, with the words “For Halyna” and a quote: “What can we do to make this better?” The festival’s CEO Marek Żydowicz said that Baldwin, who is credited as one of Rust’s producers, was not invited.

Reaction to the film itself ranged from “subdued” according to Deadline, to “polite” in Variety’s report. The screening was introduced by the film’s director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shoulder in the same incident, and replacement cinematographer Bianca Cline.

Camerimage announced in October that it would stage Rust’s world premiere to “honour” Hutchins, a regular attender of previous editions of the festival. However, a string of prominent cinematographers voiced their objections, led by Black Panther director of photography Rachel Morrison, who wrote on social media: “I’m all for memorializing Halyna and her beautiful work but not by screening and thereby promoting the film that killed her.” Hutchins’ mother Olga Solovey, who has filed a civil lawsuit against Baldwin, announced that she would not attend the event, saying that Baldwin has [refused] to take responsibility for [Hutchins’] death … [and] seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter.”

Rust’s director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shoulder in the same incident, defended the screening, telling the Hollywood Reporter: “We are here because we want to honour her. We want to showcase her work. We want it not to just disappear.”

Finishing the film itself was a matter of some contention. Cast and crew, with a replacement cinematographer, reconvened in 2023 after a settlement between the film’s producers and Hutchins’ family, as part of which her young son will benefit financially from the film’s proceeds. Souza told Variety: “I initially said no, numerous times. But it started to become clear to me that this is what the family wanted, that it was going to benefit them … how can I say no?”

Camerimage, whose title is the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, is an unlikely site for controversy, having quietly been plying its wares in various Polish cities since the early 90s – a boutique stop-off for more aesthetically minded internationally renowned film-makers, it hosts awards, workshops and masterclasses for those dedicated to photographing films beautifully.

The sensitivities surrounding Rust were augmented by an entirely separate row over sexism in the film industry, after Żydowicz published an article in Cinematography World in November in which he praised the “growing recognition of female cinematographers and directors” but warned of a “fanatical revolution that destroys the cathedrals of art”. Żydowicz’s comments were immediately condemned by organisations such as the British Society of Cinematographers, which said in an open letter that they were “profoundly misogynistic” and “aggressive”. Żydowicz responded by saying the claims were “entirely misplaced” and that he was “trying to uphold priority on artistic values”.

However, Żydowicz’s editorial was quickly followed by high-profile pullouts from the festival, led by British director Steve McQueen, who announced he would no longer attend the screening of his second world war drama Blitz at the festival, saying: “I cannot get past what I consider deeply offensive words.” Subsequently French director Coralie Fargeat pulled her hit body horror film The Substance from the festival screening programme, saying: “We hope this decision will help create a much-needed change.”

Cate Blanchett, the head of the festival jury, decided to remain in place, with the jury releasing a statement saying they “wholeheartedly support the necessary shift towards genuine inclusivity”, and in an attempt to end the row the festival has arranged a large-scale meeting with about 60 organisations to “articulate the needs and expectations for the future of our industry”.

• The Camerimage festival runs until 23 November.