BAFTA has changed how it will run its Scotland Awards next month so that John Davidson, the Tourette’s campaigner whose life inspired I Swear, can take part without a repeat of the racial slur he involuntarily shouted at February’s film ceremony.
The British Academy set out the plans in a letter to members signed by chair Sara Putt and chief executive Jane Millichip. Davidson, an executive producer on the film, will follow the November 15 ceremony in Glasgow from a separate area within the venue, according to Variety. Another report described the arrangement as a video link. BAFTA said it worked with safeguarding and inclusion experts and consulted Tourettes Action and Tourette Scotland. It also spoke directly with Davidson.
The film leads the field. I Swear collected seven nominations, including best feature film, which one account calls the most in the awards’ history. It is the only film with nominees in the film actor category, where Robert Aramayo, Peter Mullan and Scott Ellis Watson are all shortlisted.
The letter looks back to the Film Awards in London, where Davidson shouted the slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first award of the night. Host Alan Cumming stopped the show twice to address the outbursts. Davidson left midway through the ceremony. He later issued a statement saying his tics are involuntary and that he would be deeply mortified if anyone thought them intentional. Tourettes Action, the charity he works with, said it was proud of him and the film.
BAFTA’s letter acknowledged the racial harm the incident caused and said a review had called on the organization to strengthen its cultural understanding. The incident overshadowed the night. That evening, Aramayo won best actor, and the film also took best casting. Aramayo became the first performer to win both leading actor and the Rising Star award in the same year.
The arrangements attempt to satisfy two groups. Disability advocates want Davidson included in a celebration of his own story. Others want attendees protected from a repeat. BAFTA’s letter says the plan aims to let him participate in the safest way possible for everyone.
