Rich Raddon has resigned his post as director of the Los Angeles Film Festival in the wake of his much publicised $1,500 donation to the Yes On 8 campaign in support of the ban on same-sex marriages in California.
Raddon, a devout Mormon who has served as director since 2000, issued a statement saying he was 'profoundly sorry' for the negative attention his support of Proposition 8 drew to festival producer Film Independent and for 'the hurt and pain' experienced by the GLBT community.
According to reports the executive offered to resign shortly after the measure passed by a narrow majority on November 4 but the Film Independent board refused to accept it. Film Independent is in the process of finding a replacement.
'I feel honoured to have worked with such a wonderful group of people at the Los Angeles Film Festival over the last nine years,' Raddon said. 'I am proud of our accomplishments. And I am proud to have worked at Film Independent, an organisation 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.'
The Film Independent board issued an official reply: '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.'
Certain Proposal 8 activists have called for a boycott of the Sundance Film Festival in January after Alan Stock, the CEO of the cinema chain Cinemark, which includes the Sundance venue Holiday Village Cinema, donated $9,999 to the Yes On 8 campaign.
The California Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments seeking to strike Proposition 8 off the books and a decision is expected by next summer. Until then the Court has said it will not block enforcement of the measure, effectively halting the granting of same-sex marriage licences until a ruling is handed down.
Raddon, a devout Mormon who has served as director since 2000, issued a statement saying he was 'profoundly sorry' for the negative attention his support of Proposition 8 drew to festival producer Film Independent and for 'the hurt and pain' experienced by the GLBT community.
According to reports the executive offered to resign shortly after the measure passed by a narrow majority on November 4 but the Film Independent board refused to accept it. Film Independent is in the process of finding a replacement.
'I feel honoured to have worked with such a wonderful group of people at the Los Angeles Film Festival over the last nine years,' Raddon said. 'I am proud of our accomplishments. And I am proud to have worked at Film Independent, an organisation 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.'
The Film Independent board issued an official reply: '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.'
Certain Proposal 8 activists have called for a boycott of the Sundance Film Festival in January after Alan Stock, the CEO of the cinema chain Cinemark, which includes the Sundance venue Holiday Village Cinema, donated $9,999 to the Yes On 8 campaign.
The California Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments seeking to strike Proposition 8 off the books and a decision is expected by next summer. Until then the Court has said it will not block enforcement of the measure, effectively halting the granting of same-sex marriage licences until a ruling is handed down.
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