Jonte Richardson, a black British filmmaker, has announced his resignation as a judge for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) in light of the organization's inadequate response to a disturbing incident during the awards ceremony. A Tourette syndrome campaigner shouted a racial slur, specifically the N-word, while actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were presenting an award. This outburst not only disrupted the ceremony but also highlighted the failure of Bafta to protect its attendees and address the racial insensitivity of the incident appropriately.

Leading up to the incident, the audience at the Royal Festival Hall had been forewarned about the potential for inappropriate language from John Davidson, the Tourette campaigner, who was present in the audience. However, the television broadcast of the ceremony, which aired two hours later, failed to edit out the offensive outburst and neglected to include the prior warnings given to live attendees. This lack of action indicated a significant misstep by Bafta, raising concerns about their commitment to inclusivity and sensitivity to racial issues within the film industry.

Richardson's resignation reflects deep-seated frustrations within the industry regarding racism and the treatment of black professionals. In his statement on LinkedIn, he expressed that the organization's response was 'utterly unforgivable' and that his decision came after considerable soul-searching. His departure could serve as a catalyst for further discussions on how the film industry handles issues of race and the responsibilities of prestigious organizations like Bafta to foster an environment of respect and accountability.