Filmmaker Jonte Richardson has announced his resignation as a Bafta judge, citing the academy’s “utterly unforgivable” handling of a racial slur aired during its recent film awards ceremony.
The director and producer confirmed he would no longer serve on the emerging talent judging panel following an incident where Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson shouted a racial slur during a presentation by Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo. The 54-year-old’s outburst was heard as the Black Hollywood actors presented the award for special visual effects at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday.
Mr Davidson has since stated he is “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning”.
In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Mr Richardson explained his decision: “After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel. The organisation’s handling of the unfortunate Tourette’s N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable.”
He continued, expressing his inability to contribute to an organisation that has “repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its black guests, members and the black creative community.” Mr Richardson highlighted the irony, noting that this year’s cohort includes “some incredible black talent,” including one of his favourite shows of 2025, Just Act Normal.
“However, when an organisation like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour,” he added. Mr Richardson concluded by hoping Bafta leadership and the BBC “comprehend the damage they… have caused, and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future.”
During the broadcast, awards ceremony presenter Alan Cumming apologised for any offensive language viewers may have heard. Bafta later issued a statement on Monday night, apologising for the incident and taking “full responsibility” for placing its guests in a “difficult situation.” The academy also apologised “unreservedly” to Mr Jordan and Mr Lindo, and “to all those impacted,” thanking them for their “incredible dignity and professionalism.”
Bafta’s statement affirmed: “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.”
The BBC also apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the broadcast. A spokesperson for the corporation said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
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Responding to these apologies, Mr Richardson commented: “TBF the Bafta apology is considerably better than the BBC mumbled sidestepping. But the fact that it took 24 hours and intense backlash to get here suggests that despite its claims, Bafta remains inherently unsafe for black and disabled people.” He expressed scepticism about future changes, predicting that “the same production company and the same execs will still be in charge of next year’s awards. So claiming to ‘learn from this’ will inevitably be as performative as their desire for inclusion.”
Richardson, who is a champion of diverse voices in the industry, is a director, writer, producer and editor who has worked in both the UK and the US on projects including Channel 4’s Bluefinch and award-winning productions for BET and HBO.
In a statement to the Press Association, Mr Davidson said he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was “aware of the distress my tics were causing.” According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome causes sudden, repetitive sounds or movements, which can, in rare instances, result in uncontrollable offensive language.
Mr Davidson, who developed the condition at 12, was made an MBE in 2019 for his work increasing understanding of Tourette syndrome. He was attending the Baftas representing the film I Swear, which chronicles his life with the condition.
It stars Robert Aramayo, who won best actor for his performance in the film, which also won best casting. He was also named EE Rising Star.
