BAFTA Opens Global Talent Initiatives for Applications
A range of opportunities in film, games and television are available for students, careers starters and talented newcomers
London, Monday 19 March: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has opened applications for a range of initiatives that support talent in the UK, US and China to progress in the film, games and television industries. Students, career starters and talented newcomers can apply now to the programmes that suit their experience and professional aspirations:
BAFTA Breakthrough Brits
BAFTA Crew professional network
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition
BAFTA Scholarships in the UK, China, Los Angeles and New York
BAFTA Student Film Awards
BAFTA Los Angeles Newcomers Program
Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “Our annual talent initiatives are open to everyone, from the budding writer to the student game designer, and from the emerging cinematographer to the aspiring composer. Through these initiatives we help future-proof the creative industries, by ensuring we recognise and support talented individuals as they progress through their careers. As well as connecting our new talents with BAFTA members, winners and nominees, we also help them to establish their own peer networks and enable them to collaborate globally across film, games and television. Many past participants have already been recognised at BAFTA’s awards ceremonies so it will be exciting to see how high this year’s new talent can fly.”
INITIATIVES OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS:
BAFTA Breakthrough Brits (http://bit.ly/Breakthrough-Brits) showcases up to 20 on-screen and off-screen talent who have made a significant impact in the past year. Each Breakthrough Brit receives a bespoke 12-month programme of career development support. In previous years the selected honourees have included actors Letitia Wright (Black Panther) and Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming).
BAFTA Crew (http://bit.ly/BAFTACrew) is a professional development network connecting emerging talent with their peers and leading practitioners:
BAFTA Crew Film and TV supports craft and technical talent with two to four feature film or broadcast credits, offering networking and events across departments.
BAFTA Crew Games offers games practitioners with 2-4 years’ experience monthly events and networking, with a pathway to full BAFTA membership in the future.
BFI NETWORK x BAFTA Crew brings together 150 writers, directors and producers on the way to making their first feature film for roundtables, events and mentoring opportunities, backed by BFI NETWORK. Made possible through National Lottery funding, BFI NETWORK (www.bfinetwork.org.uk) exists to discover and support talented writers, directors and producers at the start of their careers.
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition (http://bit.ly/BAFTARocliffe) aims to give a platform to undiscovered screenwriters and help them to develop their careers. Entries are now open for writers with a TV comedy script. Three successful entrants will have extracts from their scripts performed by professional actors, and gain feedback from attending experts, at BAFTA’s headquarters, 195 Piccadilly in London, in June.
BAFTA Scholarships (http://bit.ly/BAFTAGlobalScholarships) award talented individuals to take an industry-focussed course in film, games or television in the UK, USA or China. In addition to financial support, each BAFTA Scholar is mentored by a BAFTA member or nominee, and receives free access to BAFTA events in each country.
The BAFTA Scholarship Programme in the UK (http://bit.ly/BAFTAScholarshipsUK) includes the Prince William Scholarship in Film, Games and Television, supported by BAFTA and Warner Bros. Prince William Scholars will have their fees funded by Warner Bros. and will additionally receive a short funded work placement within the Warner Bros. group of companies, access to a Warner Bros. mentor, and invitations to a series of industry masterclasses. The BAFTA Scholarship Programme has been made possible by the generous support of individual donors, foundations and Warner Bros.
The BAFTA Scholarship Programme in China (http://bit.ly/BAFTAScholarshipsChina) enables UK nationals to study in China, and Chinese nationals to study in the UK. The programme has been made possible by the generous support of individual donors.
The BAFTA Los Angeles Scholarship Program (http://bit.ly/BAFTAScholarshipsLA) supports British graduate students studying in the US, as well as local LA students from the inner city.
The BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program (http://bit.ly/BAFTAScholarshipsNY) supports students pursuing media studies at graduate level institutions within the New York City area.
The BAFTA Student Film Awards (http://bit.ly/StudentFilmAwards) is an annual event celebrating the work of student filmmakers from around the world. The initiative includes shortlist events in the UK, New York and Los Angeles, educational programming for the participants, and the grand finale celebration held in Los Angeles. The winners of the BAFTA Student Film Awards also receive access to BAFTA events, seminars and screenings to support their pursuits during this important early stage of their career.
The BAFTA Los Angeles Newcomers Program (http://bit.ly/LANewcomers) supports international rising stars who have recently moved to Los Angeles to further their career. Each participant receives access to screenings, educational programming, and curated new talent events aimed at supporting both career development and the transition to living and working in the US.
For details of all BAFTA initiatives to support talent, go to: http://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent.