Cate Blanchett to Remain Camerimage Jury President Despite Sexist Comments from Festival Director, Will ‘Welcome Debate’ About Representation

The EnergaCamerimage International Cinematography Film Festival, led by president Cate Blanchett, has made an official statement after festival director Marek Żydowicz’s sexist comments went viral.

Żydowicz wrote an opinion piece for Cinematography World magazine, in which he stated that pressure to program films made by female cinematographers and directors in festivals could lead to the inclusion of “mediocre film productions” in lieu of spotlighting the “works and artists with outstanding artistic achievements.”

The British Society of Cinematographers slammed Żydowicz’s statements, and Steve McQueen announced he will no longer attend the festival. McQueen’s “Blitz” is the opening night film and the auteur was previously set to receive the outstanding director award at the festival.

Now, the Camerimage festival jury is taking a stand.

“We welcome debate regarding gender representation,” the jury wrote in a statement that was shared on social media by jury members Anna Higgs and Sandy Powell. “We look forward to being part of meaningful discussions with our peers at the festival about greater inclusion and recognition of excellence in all its forms in our industry. We wholeheartedly support the necessary shift towards genuine inclusivity and festivals can be a great forum for engaging in such conversations and championing positive change.”

Along with president Blanchett, Higgs, and Powell, the jury is comprised of Anthony Dod Mantle, Rodrigo Prieto, Lukasz Zal, and Jolanta Dylewska.

The 32nd edition of the EnergaCamerimage International Cinematography Film Festival which takes place November 16 through 23 in Toruń, Poland.

McQueen recently told Variety that after reading Zydowicz’s op-ed, he could no longer support the festival.

“Although he has issued an apology, I cannot get past what I consider deeply offensive words,” McQueen said. “I have enormous respect for cinematographers of all genders including women, and believe we have to do and demand better to make room for everyone at the table.”

Żydowicz said in a statement to Variety, “It was with great sadness that I accepted Steve McQueen’s decision to withdraw from the festival. I apologize once more, and I would like to take this opportunity to sit down in an open forum and talk about how to move forward together in a more open and inclusive manner. The festival is here to embrace each other as a community and to share in the appreciation of the images we cherish together as a community. Let’s have a meaningful discourse together as a community so that we can begin to rebuild in a more equitable manner. Let us have a conversation and determine the steps that will make the festival, our industry, more open, unified and representative of all voices.”