Bafta to back winners who use speeches to slam sex harassment

THE chief of Bafta has said the sexual harassment scandal that has rocked the film industry has been “genuinely shocking” and she would support award winners speaking about it on stage.

Amanda Berry said the season of awards ceremonies will shine “a very bright spotlight” on the conversation around harassment and assault, which has gathered pace since allegations emerged against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Ms Berry was speaking at the nominee announcement for the EE Rising Star Award, where up-and-coming stars Timothee Chalamet, Daniel Kaluuya, Josh O’Connor, Florence Pugh and Tessa Thompson will compete for the coveted prize.

She said the stage of the Baftas has been used as a platform for political speeches, and said: “It often has in the past, I think in different years there have been different issues.

“People obviously feel it’s a very powerful platform. The film awards go out globally, so that makes it even more powerful, so we never say to people: ‘Don’t say anything, please just thank the crew or whatever it is’. Because if somebody feels passionately about it, they are going to say it.

“Bafta is part of an industry-wide initiative to ensure that people can work in a safe professional environment, to ensure if training is needed that training is available, if help is needed that help is available.

“I think it’s been upsetting for the industry as a whole, whenever I’ve talked to people about people who have been accused.

“With Harvey Weinstein, I didn’t have any idea until the stories started coming out that that was his behaviour, and it was his behaviour over a number of years; I had no idea about that, so I think for a lot of people it has been genuinely shocking and I think that is why people have moved so quickly to make change.”

Weinstein’s Bafta membership was suspended after allegations of harassment and assault emerged.

Pugh is joined on the Rising Star shortlist by Chalamet, who has emerged as a best actor contender for his turn in Call Me By Your Name, and Get Out star Kaluuya. They will compete with Thor: Ragnarok actress Tessa Thompson and God’s Own Country actor Josh O’Connor.

The winner will be announced at the star-studded Bafta ceremony on February 18.