Kobe dropped from film festival jury over '03 rape allegation

The Animation is Film Festival has dropped Kobe Bryant from its jury due to an online protest calling for the Los Angeles Lakers legend to be removed.

"After discussions with the various stakeholders of Animation Is Film, the decision has been made to remove Kobe Bryant from the 2018 jury," said GKIDS chief executive officer Eric Beckman. "We are a young organization and it is important to keep our collective energies focused on the films, the participating filmmakers, and our festival attendees."

A petition was posted to Change.org last week pushing for Bryant's removal because of a 2003 rape allegation where he was charged with sexually assaulting an employee of a Colorado hotel. Those charges were later dropped after the woman who said Bryant assaulted her refused to testify, although she did file a civil suit against him which was settled out of court.

"This decision further motivates me and my commitment to building a studio that focuses on diversity and inclusion in storytelling for the animation industry," Bryant's statement on his removal from the jury said. "I remain focused on changing the world in positive ways through diverse stories, characters, and leadership, in order to inspire the next generation."

Bryant won an Academy Award for his animated short film, "Dear Basketball," earlier in the year.