Rich Raddon, the highly praised and well-liked director of the ever-enlarging L.A. Film Festival has resigned in the middle of a controversy over the gay-marriage Prop 8.

Unlike much of Hollywood, Raddon supported Prop 8, which would have banned the gay marriages, Variety reports.

When Prop 8 passed in California, a flurry of protests immediately erupted.

A devout Mormon, the fest director could not support a proposition that allowed for gay and lesbian marriage. He also contributed significantly to the Yes on Prop 8 campaigns.

After the uproar, he tried to resign twice and Film Independent only reluctantly agreed.

It was unclear how this will affect the Fest, which has watched and enjoyed as Raddon has grown the L.A. Fest from a small five-day event with an attendance of 22,000 to a nationally recognized 10 event in June with an audience of over 100,000 visitors.