Byrd Theatre faces boycott calls over "Harry Potter" and RIFF
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The first floor of the Byrd. Image: Courtesy of Randy Melton
Calls to boycott the Byrd Theatre are spilling beyond social media after weeks of backlash over its "Harry Potter" screenings and ties to the Richmond International Film Festival.
Why it matters: The online criticism has turned into real-world fallout for the historic nonprofit theater, with nearly 20 Carytown businesses withdrawing from one of its annual events.
Driving the news: Carytown Merchants Association canceled this weekend's Golden Ticket Hunt, held in collaboration with the Byrd, after all participating businesses said last week that they were pulling out "given current events."
- The businesses included Beasties, Dog Krazy, Alternatives Boutique, Sugar & Twine, Plan 9 Music and For the Love of Chocolate.
- The promotion was set to begin Thursday, with golden tickets hidden inside chocolate bars throughout Carytown ahead of a Sept. 20 screening of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."
Catch up quick: The withdrawals came after critics objected to the Byrd screening all eight "Harry Potter" films, citing author J.K. Rowling's comments about transgender people, which they call anti-trans.
- The backlash prompted the theater to turn off its Instagram comments on several posts.
- Critics have continued calling for a boycott and urging people to donate to trans organizations in the comments on unrelated movie posts, including Tuesday's promotion of "Roma," per an Axios review.
What they're saying: Shelf Life Books owner Chris McDaniel told Axios the store withdrew from the event "in solidarity," saying Shelf Life — which employs transgender people and carries books by trans authors — wanted to stand with Richmond's trans community.
The other side: Ben Cronly, the Byrd's executive director, told Axios that showing the films wasn't an endorsement of Rowling's comments, which he acknowledged "have been deeply hurtful to many members of the transgender community."
- "We also know that for many people, Harry Potter is a beloved part of their childhood," and holds memories separate from its creator's views, Cronly said.
- Cronly added that any royalties paid to Rowling or others are separate from the Byrd's agreements with film distributors.
Meanwhile: The Byrd is also facing criticism over its longtime role as a venue for the RIFF.
- One group called Boycott RIFF is boycotting the event over films like "Unraveling UNRWA," which it says spreads Israeli propaganda.
- The group has also pushed for a RIFF boycott in previous years over the Israeli embassy being a sponsor and a 2023 showing of "Affirmation Generation," which they called "an anti-trans documentary."
RIFF CEO Heather Waters defended the festival's decision to continue showing Israeli films in a statement to Axios, saying "Boycotting any one country is against everything we do at RIFF."
- "Whether we agree with a topic, film, or anything else is not the issue," Waters wrote. "Sharing stories and creating opportunities for dialogue is what matters."
Zoom out: Calls to boycott "Harry Potter" projects over Rowling's views aren't new. Similar campaigns have targeted a video game and an upcoming TV adaptation.
What we're watching: Whether the backlash spreads to donations or ticket sales, which Cronly said haven't been affected so far.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add comments from RIFF.