Sundance, Prop. 8, and Boycotts
Via The Advocate:
"Film Independent released a statement on Friday in response to Los Angeles Film Festival director Richard Raddon’s donation to the campaign for Proposition 8, which succeeded in banning gay marriage in California. ‘As a champion of diversity,’ the statement said, ‘Film Independent is dedicated to supporting the civil rights of all individuals. At the same time, our organization does not police the personal, religious, or political choices of any employee, member, or filmmaker.’"
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Via Robert Hofler and Michael Jones‘ article "Same-Sex Activists Target Sundance" in Variety:
"With activists against Proposition 8 — California’s ban on same-sex marriage — turning to threats of boycotts, attention is focusing on a surprising target: The Sundance Film Festival.
"The festival has been fielding calls and emails from activists calling for Sundance to pull its films from a Park City fourplex operated by Cinemark Theaters, whose CEO, Alan Stock, contributed $9,999 to the Yes on Prop. 8 campaign."
…
"Until Brad Pitt donated $100,000 to No. on Prop. 8 in September, many in the Hollywood community had been largely silent on the subject. Then there were reports of big-cash donations from Steven Spielberg (another $100,000) and Ellen DeGeneres, who, in the wake of her marriage to Portia de Rossi, taped a TV commercial opposing the proposition. And on the eve of election day, Ellen Page gave a pep talk to leafleteers ready to protest Prop. 8 at the polls.
"’I'm sorry that I can’t vote with you. Where I’m from, marriage is legal for everyone,’ the Canadian Juno actress told the Equality California volunteers gathered at the Gay & Lesbian Center in Hollywood.
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Via Radar, "Famed Film Festival Low on Cash":
"The Sundance Film Festival, which was co-founded by Robert Redford 30 years ago, may have to ask for state financial help in order to survive.
"According to festival officials, because of the poor economy it’s been more difficult this year to get corporate sponsorships.
"’Instead of signing multiple-year sponsorship deals with a minimum of three years, some of the newer sponsors are signing for one-year contracts,’ said director of Utah Community Development for the Sundance Institute, Sarah West. ‘We’ll probably see some decrease in funding but at the same time, we’re very hopeful that our sponsors will continue to support us.’"
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As per the Variety article sourced above, Sarah West had denied that Sundance has asked for more cash.
Danny Boyle, GOMORRAH, WALTZ WITH BASHIR: AFI FEST 2008
THE WRESTLER, EVERLASTING MOMENTS, LA RABIA: AFI FEST 2008
Tilda Swinton, Juliette Binoche, Bill Plympton: AFI FEST 2008
THE DESERT WITHIN, TWO-LEGGED HORSE, Documentary Shorts: AFI FEST 2008
ACHILLES AND THE TORTOISE, THE BROTHERS BLOOM: AFI FEST 2008
POUNDCAKE, WITCHHUNT, KASSIM THE DREAM, OF ALL THE THINGS: AFI FEST 2008
THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX, JOHNNY MAD DOG: bfi London Film Festival 2008
Pittsburg Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008
Homo Horror: Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008
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2 Responses to “Sundance, Prop. 8, and Boycotts”
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If I still lived in L.A., I certainly wouldn’t attend that film festival.
I’ve blocked the Sundance Channel on my cable, and it will stay blocked until the festival is out of Utah.
I am behind you guys 100% and support the boycott.keep it up for as long as it takes, I no longer patronize El 0Coyote resturant.Thanks for the info.