BAFTA Inclusion Committee to Address N-Word Controversy at Film Awards Following Member Concerns

BAFTA’s Inclusion Committee to Address N-Word Incident in Upcoming Meeting

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will convene its Learning, Inclusion and Talent Committee today for the first time since a recent controversy involving the use of a racial slur at this year’s film awards. This meeting comes in response to the fallout from the incident on February 22, when John Davidson used the N-word in reference to actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.

Sources familiar with the situation indicate that the committee will discuss the handling of Davidson’s remarks, which also affected Wunmi Mosaku when she accepted her Supporting Actress award.

Committee members have expressed concern that neither the inclusion committee nor BAFTA’s disability advisory group were consulted regarding best practices for Davidson’s attendance during the event. This raised questions about the influence and effectiveness of these groups within BAFTA.

Describing the circumstances as a “mess,” one committee member anticipated heightened emotions during the meeting. Chaired by Ade Rawcliffe, ITV’s chief people officer, the inclusion committee comprises various industry representatives. The disability advisory group, a sub-committee of the larger committee, is led by Sam Tatlow, ITV’s head of diversity.

BAFTA has issued an apology regarding the events at the awards and is currently reviewing the situation. While there have been concerns about whether Davidson received adequate support during the ceremony, the organization did engage an access producer, access coordinator, and a wellbeing coordinator. Davidson had also secured additional support from StudioCanal after leaving the auditorium following his comments.

In a statement released last week, BAFTA acknowledged its responsibility for the distress caused and reiterated its commitment to inclusion, stating, “We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. We will learn from this and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.”