The embattled Toronto Film Critics Association is looking to put the controversy around its alleged pro-Palestine comments censorship behind it with an apology to the indigenous filmmaker who returned her awards trophy after revealing that her acceptance speech had been cut short.
“We sincerely apologize to Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers for the fact that her message was not aired in full and that she was neither given an opportunity to review the edits to her acceptance speech, nor were time constraints communicated to her,” the TFCA said in a statement issued to the CBC news website.
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The TFCA did not respond to The Hollywood Reporter‘s request for its latest statement. Tailfeathers, a Canadian actress and filmmaker, a week ago returned her movie award trophy from the Toronto film critics following the alleged censorship of her video acceptance speech, which included remarks in support of Palestine. The association’s president Johanna Schneller resigned and 16 members quit.
THR has learned that another three active members of 46 in all have now resigned. Tailfeathers wrote to the TFCA claiming her taped acceptance speech — delivered during a March 2 awards gala in Toronto — had been edited down without her knowledge.
The TFCA, in its latest statement, said all future trophy winners will “receive an opportunity to review and approve pre-recorded speeches before they run, and that any time constraints or concerns must be expressly communicated to them throughout the process.”
The TFCA also apologized to its members, “who were both personally and professionally offended by these events. You denounced censorship, as do we.” The TFCA added in its statement that it will “welcome the return of any members and look forward to inviting new perspectives into the group, as we do annually, to better represent the Toronto film scene.”
Tailfeathers picked up the best supporting performance in a Canadian film trophy for her role in Melanie Oates’ Sweet Angel Baby. The TFCA, launched in 1997, holds an annual awards season prize-giving. This year’s best Canadian feature prize went to Blue Heron, the coming-of-age drama written and directed by Sophy Romvari.
