Doha Film Festival Drops 'Fing!' Amid David Walliams Allegations

By Daniel Okafor

The Doha Film Festival has pulled "Fing!" from its lineup following sexual misconduct allegations against David Walliams, the British actor and writer behind the children's book on which the film is based.

The festival runs Nov. 19-27 in the Qatari capital. The fantasy feature now won't screen there at all.

What is Walliams accused of?

A joint investigation by the Guardian and ITV News alleges Walliams groomed fans as young as 15. The reports claim he invited teenage girls to his house, where they stayed over, and to his dressing rooms. The outlets also allege he would "pester" and "pressure" young women — including models and an employee at his publisher HarperCollins — to go out with him and, in some cases, take part in sexual activity.

Walliams denies the allegations. That denial stands as the only statement attributed to him so far.

The comedian rose to prominence on the sketch show "Little Britain" before becoming a judge on "Britain's Got Talent." Both credits are now liabilities.

How far does the fallout reach?

Doha is the latest domino, not the first. The BBC has announced it is pulling shows that star Walliams or were written by him — "Little Britain" included — from its streaming platform. Comcast-owned Sky has withdrawn as the U.K. and Ireland broadcaster for "Fing!".

The timing stings for the film's backers. "Fing!", directed by Jeffrey Walker, world premiered to a positive reception at Sundance and was set for its international launch in Doha. That launch is now homeless.

A festival representative confirmed to Variety that ticketholders for the "Fing!" gala have been told the screening is cancelled and that they will receive full refunds. Small mercy for ticket buyers; no mercy for the schedule.

What was 'Fing!' doing at Doha anyway?

The revamped Doha Film Festival has transformed the DFI's (Doha Film Institute's) existing Ajyal Film Festival, dedicated to youth and family-friendly cinema, into a broader international event aimed at a wider audience. A children's fantasy was a natural fit for that expanded remit. It's a poorer fit with a headline allegation of grooming minors.

Walliams wrote the source book, co-wrote the screenplay and cameos in the feature. He appears alongside leads Taika Waititi, Mia Wasikowska and Iona Bell.

Production credits spread across three continents:

• AGC Studios
• Bondit Media Capital in Los Angeles
• Elevate Media Production in Australia
• Walliams' own production company, King Bert

What happens next?

The festival opens Nov. 19 with one fewer title and one fewer controversy than it might have had. The bigger question hangs over "Fing!" itself: a warmly received Sundance premiere, an ensemble with genuine marquee names, and now no U.K. broadcaster and no international launch pad. Distributors and platforms will have to decide whether the film can be sold on its own merits or whether Walliams' credit as co-writer and cameo player makes it commercially untouchable. Recent precedent suggests the latter is the safer bet.