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Asif Kapadia, the British filmmaker who won an Oscar for the Amy Winehouse documentary in 2016, has been removed as a patron of the Grierson Trust. The organisation works to celebrate documentary and factual filmmaking from Britain and around the world. Kapadia was appointed just two days ago. The charity announced that it was terminating his patronage due to anti-Semitic posts on social media. Kapadia later apologised, telling BBC News he was “mortified by the hurt and offence” that his posts have caused.
In its statement, the Grierson Trust explained that Kapadia’s appointment came without the board’s awareness of his social media activity. The trust has since taken a decision to rescind his role as patron of the organisation. The statement said: “Whilst we accept and support that everyone has a legitimate right to express their views on controversial issues, this cannot justify racist statements or behaviour.”
The charity has demonstrated its commitment to promoting both freedom of speech and diversity and inclusion within the industry. The statement concluded with the assertion that it had a “zero tolerance approach to racism of all kinds”. It appears Kapadia deleted his X account after the decision to remove him from the charity’s patronage, although screenshots of the posts have been circulated on social media.
Kapadia admitted he was “passionate” about the fate of Palestinian and Lebanese people, but was equally passionate about anti-racism and condemned all forms of anti-Semitism. He apologised for his “ill-judged reposts”. The Grierson Trust works to celebrate and promote factual filmmaking across the UK and beyond, working with broadcasters, film institutes, and producers.
The decision by the Grierson Trust is part of a growing movement to hold those who make choices with wide-reaching cultural implications accountable for their personal beliefs and activities. It’s part of the recognition that there is no such thing as apolitical art or cultural production, that he or she who is entrusted to shape cultural futures bears a certain ethical responsibility
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