Bill Mechanic resigns from Academy board

Producer Bill Mechanic, CEO of Pandemonium Films, has stepped down from the board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He has not stated a reason.

Mechanic said he has resigned from the Board of Governors but declined to elaborate on the reasons, reports variety.com.

"The Academy thanks William Mechanic for his five years of service on the Board of Governors, where he represented the members of the Executives Branch," read a statement.

Mechanic, who remains a member of the Academy itself, had raised concerns in the past over the Academy's new code of conduct, which seeks to impose discipline for sexual harassment, discrimination and abusive conduct.

Last month, the code got its first test when Academy President John Bailey faced three misconduct allegations. Bailey denied the claims and the board opted to take no action.

In December, Mechanic told Vanity Fair magazine that the Academy was ill-equipped to deal with such allegations.

Mechanic, a veteran film executive, co-produced the 82nd Academy Awards show in 2010. He rejoined the Board of Governors in 2016 after a hiatus.

He last produced Mel Gibson's 2016 film "Hacksaw Ridge", which was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture.

--IANS

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