The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will meet on Saturday to discuss action against Harvey Weinstein in the wake of numerous women’s accusations of sexual harassment and rape.
The announcement came on Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, BAFTA, suspended Weinstein’s membership.
The Academy statement calls the allegations made against Weinstein “repugnant, abhorrent and antithetical to the high standards of the Academy and the creative community it represents.”
The AMPAS Board of Governors has final authority over the organization, and would have to vote to terminate or suspend Weinstein’s membership. In the past, that action has been taken against members who have been party to the piracy of screeners.
The AMPAS statement:
The Academy finds the conduct described in the allegations against Harvey Weinstein to be repugnant, abhorrent, and antithetical to the high standards of the Academy and the creative community it represents. The Board of Governors will be holding a special meeting on Saturday, October 14, to discuss the allegations against Weinstein and any actions warranted by the Academy.
Weinstein has been a constant presence at the Academy Awards since his days with Miramax, and is largely credited with revolutionizing Oscar campaigning and making it more aggressive and combative.
His Best Picture winners include “Shakespeare in Love,” “Chicago,” “The King’s Speech” and “The Artist.”