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RADDON RESIGNS FROM THE L.A. FILM FESTIVAL
David Poland posted on his Hot Blog early this morning that Rich Raddon, the director of Film Independent’s L.A. Film Festival who found himself under fire when it was reported that he donated $1,500 in support of California’s anti-gay-marriage Proposition 8, has resigned. Mike Jones now has a story at Variety that contains two statements.
First, from Raddon:
“I feel honored to have worked with such a wonderful group of people at the Los Angeles Film Festival over the last nine years. I am proud of our accomplishments. And I am proud to have worked at Film Independent, an organization whose principles and values of diversity and artistic integrity I cherish. I have always held the belief that all people, no matter race, religion, or sexual orientation are entitled to equal rights.”
“As many know, I consider myself a devout and faithful Mormon. I prefer to keep the details around my contribution through my church a private matter. But I am profoundly sorry for the negative attention that my actions have drawn to Film Independent and for the hurt and pain that is being experienced in the GLBT community.”
Second, from the board of Film Independent:
“With great reluctance, Film Independent has accepted Richard Raddon’s resignation as Director of the Los Angeles Film Festival. Rich’s service to the independent film community and to Film Independent has been nothing less than extraordinary. He has always shown complete commitment to our core principles of equality and diversity during his long tenure. It was through his leadership that the Los Angeles Film Festival has grown into a formidable and exciting showcase for talented artists and diverse voices. We are sorry to see him go.”
A lengthy debate featuring several key filmmakers and curators on the issue of Raddon’s contribution and the independent community’s reaction has been occurring over at Indiewire, and a blog, “LGBT Filmmakers and the 8,” contains letters addressed to Film Independent about the issue.
