US film director Steven Spielberg has withdrawn as an artistic adviser to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
In a statement, he accused China of not doing enough to pressure its ally Sudan to end the "continuing human suffering" in the troubled western Darfur region. At least 200,000 people have been killed and two million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict.
Human Rights Watch welcomed Spielberg's move, and said it should prompt other corporate sponsors to press for reform.
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In a statement, Mr Spielberg said: "I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual.
"At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur."
He added: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more."