NEW DELHI: Even as the film has run into controversy in some countries, the Executive Board of the International Press Academy has applauded and commended Sony Pictures for having announced the release of the comedy film The Interview on Christmas Day.

The Board also acknowledged and thanked actor-writer-director George Clooney for spearheading the fight for Freedom of the Press and Free Speech among the Hollywood community.

In 2005, the IPA honored Clooney in its first-ever Auteur Award, which recognises individual voices of filmmakers and their personal impact on the industry. Later honorees include Paul Williams, Peter Bogdanovich, Baz Luhrmann, Julian Schnabel, Alex Gibney and Robert Altman. The IPA also gave Clooney a Satellite Award for the Best Original Screenplay Award for Good Night, And Good Luck, which charts the era of McCarthyism through the eyes of TV news great Edward R. Murrow.

“We think it is wonderful that Sony is brave enough to stand up for Free Speech, and that they are going to let the public see this movie. We are not judging the merits of the movie, but we are congratulating James Franco, Seth Rogen and the filmmakers, as well as Sony Pictures, for standing up for the release of their movie,” said IPA President Mirjana Van Blaricom, who screened the movie recently.

The International Press Academy is one of the largest coalitions of domestic and international entertainment journalists that gives its Satellite Awards in all categories of entertainment—cinema, television and new media.

“And, we are always in support of George Clooney, and his continuing support of free expression and innovation in the entertainment industry,” Van Blaricom added.