Academy of Motion Pictures to meet over Weinstein allegations

THE ACADEMY of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, said on Wednesday that it would hold a special meeting on Saturday to discuss allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein.

“The Academy finds the conduct described in the allegations against Harvey Weinstein to be repugnant, abhorrent, and antithetical to the high standards of the Academy and the creative community it represents,” the Academy said in a statement.

“The Board of Governors will be holding a special meeting on Saturday, Oct 14, to discuss the allegations against Weinstein and any actions warranted by the Academy.”

Weinstein’s spokeswoman Sallie Hofmeister did not immediately return a request for comment on the Academy’s statement.

The statement follows allegations that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted a number of women over the past three decades.

Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

Earlier on Wednesday, Weinstein was suspended from the British film academy Bafta.

“In light of recent very serious allegations, Bafta has informed Harvey Harvey Weinstein Weinstein that his membership has been suspended, effective immediately,” the academy said in a statement.

Also on Wednesday, the Cannes film festival’s senior executives said the allegations against Weinstein merit “only the clearest and most unequivocal condemnation”, as more women continue to come forward with accusations.

“We have been dismayed to learn of the accusations of harassment and sexual violence recently levelled against Harvey Weinstein,” wrote the festival’s president Pierre Lescure and director Thierry Fremaux.

“These actions point to a pattern of behaviour that merits only the clearest and most unequivocal condemnation,” the leaders of the world’s most prestigious film festival said in the statement posted on the festival’s website.

“Our thoughts go out to the victims, to those who have had the courage to testify and to all the others. May this case help us once again to denounce all such serious and unacceptable practices.”

Weinstein won an Oscar in 1999 for producing best picture winner “Shakespeare in Love.” — Reuters/

AFP