(Newser) – Robert De Niro last week defended the decision to screen Vaxxed at the Tribeca Film Festival, saying, "this is very personal to me and my family and I want there to be a discussion," because he has a child with autism. The actor has since reconsidered, reports the Los Angeles Times, saying now that "we do not believe it contributes to or furthers the discussion I had hoped for," and that Tribeca has pulled the documentary—directed by discredited anti-vaccination activist Andrew Wakefield—from its lineup.

"The Festival doesn't seek to avoid or shy away from controversy," continues De Niro's statement. "However, we have concerns with certain things in this film that we feel prevent us from presenting it in the Festival program." Over at Forbes, Tara Haelle is applauding the move. "He listened to the many autistic individuals disappointed about the film’s initial inclusion, he listened to the thousands of doctors who care for children, and he listened to the scientific community." (Read more Robert De Niro stories.)

