The Césars, the French equivalent of the Oscars, have barred anyone charged or convicted of a criminal sex offense from attending this year’s awards ceremony. Actors, directors, producers or other artists who have been accused or convicted of sex crimes will still be eligible for a Caesar nomination and will still be able to win the prize. But they will not be allowed to attend the gala ceremony and, if they win, “no one will be allowed to speak on their behalf”.

The Caesar Academy has come under heavy criticism lately for its laissez-faire approach to members accused of sex crimes. Things came to a head recently when actor Sofiane Bennacer, who appears in Valeria Bruni Tedeschi’s Cannes title forever Young, was named on the César shortlist in the best hope category. Caesar Academy eventually removed him from the list after it emerged he had been charged with multiple rape and assault charges.

The French film industry has been notoriously slow to respond to demands from the #MeToo movement to punish those accused of sexual violence and make structural changes to protect victims. The indictment of Gérard Depardieu for rape did not prevent the French star from finding work. Although he was tried for sexual assault, Dominique Boutonnatthe president of the National Film Board (CNC), was re-elected for a second term within the powerful industrial group last year.

When Roman Polansky won Best Director for An officer and a spy at the Césars 2020 he caused several walkouts and sparked a backlash against the academy. Polanski did not attend the ceremony, saying he wanted to avoid a “public lynching”.

On Monday, the Caesars released a statement saying that out of “respect for (even alleged) victims,” accused and convicted perpetrators will be excluded from the upcoming awards ceremony.

This decision is the first step in a wider upheaval at the Caesars. The academy is discussing long-term changes to eligibility rules that will be put to a member vote in the first half of this year.

The 2023 Césars will take place on February 24.