After weighing in on the backlash stemming from a 2003 rape allegation against former NBA player Kobe Bryant, the Animation Is Film Festival has dropped the Academy Award winner from its jury.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the founder of the festival and CEO of GKIDS, it read, “After discussions with the various stakeholders of Animation Is Film, the decision has been made to remove Kobe Bryant from the 2018 jury. We are a young organization, and it is important to keep our collective energies focused on the films, the participating filmmakers and our festival attendees.”
This statement follows the petition created on Change.org last week for Bryant to be removed from the members of the jury due to a sexual assault allegation made against him. The petition garnered 159 signatures and it stated, “This is an urgent time to say NO to toxic and violent behavior against women. Keeping Kobe Bryant on the jury sets a precedent of lenience for sexual criminals and further undermines the visibility and respect that victims of harassment and assault deserve.”
Responding to the news of his removal, Bryant wrote that this incident further motivates him in fighting for diversity and inclusion in storytelling for the animation industry, “I was honored to have been originally invited by Animation Is Film to serve on the 2018 Jury, and I’m disappointed to no longer serve in that capacity,” Bryant said. “This decision further motivates me and my commitment to building a studio that focuses on diversity and inclusion in in storytelling for the animation industry. I remain focused on changing the world in positive ways through diverse stories, characters and leadership, in order to inspire the next generation.”
Bryant was arrested in July 2003, after a 19-year old hotel employee claimed she was raped by the then 24-year old player. The woman refused to testify and the case was later dropped. Bryant won his first Oscar in 2017 for his short film ‘Dear basketball’.
