British Academy of Film and Television Arts

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA, /ˈbæftə/[1]) is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image (film, television and games) in the United Kingdom. In addition to its annual awards ceremonies, BAFTA has an international programme of learning events and initiatives offering access to talent through workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the United Kingdom and the United States.

"BAFTA" redirects here. For other uses, see BAFTA (disambiguation).
For the most recent awards, see 73rd British Academy Film Awards, 2020 British Academy Television Awards, and 16th British Academy Games Awards.

British Academy of Film and Television Arts
AbbreviationBAFTA
Formation1947 (1947) (as British Film Academy)
TypeFilm, television and games organisation
PurposeSupports, promotes and develops the art forms of the moving image – film, television and video games – by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public
HeadquartersPiccadilly
London, W1J
United Kingdom
Region served
United Kingdom
United States
Membership
Approximately 6,500
Official language
English
President
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
Chairman
Krishnendu Majumdar
Chief executive
Amanda Berry
Websitebafta.org

Origins

BAFTA started out as the British Film Academy, founded in 1947 by a group of directors: David Lean, Alexander Korda, Roger Manvell, Laurence Olivier, Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, Michael Balcon, Carol Reed, and other major figures of the British film industry.[2][3]

David Lean was the founding chairman of the academy.[4] The first Film Awards ceremony took place in May 1949, honouring the films The Best Years of Our Lives, Odd Man Out and The World Is Rich.

The Guild of Television Producers and Directors was set up in 1953 with the first awards ceremony in October 1954, and in 1958 merged with the British Film Academy to form the Society of Film and Television Arts, whose inaugural meeting was held at Buckingham Palace and presided over by the Duke of Edinburgh.

In 1976, Queen Elizabeth, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and The Earl Mountbatten of Burma officially opened the organisation's headquarters at 195 Piccadilly, London, and in March the society became the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Recent events

On 2 February 2018, Bafta formally terminated Harvey Weinstein's membership. On 26 October 2017, after the 2008 Bafta Awards, Norwegian actress Natassia Malthe had accused Weinstein of raping her in a London hotel.[5]

Charitable mission

It is a membership organisation comprising approximately 8,000 individuals worldwide who are creatives and professionals working in and making a contribution to the film, television and games industries in the UK.[6] In 2005, it placed an overall cap on worldwide voting membership which stood at approximately 6,500 as of 2017.[7]

BAFTA does not receive any funding from the government: it relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work.[8]

BAFTA has offices in Scotland and Wales in the UK, in Los Angeles and New York in the United States and runs events in Hong Kong and mainland China.[9][10]

Amanda Berry OBE has been chief executive of the organisation since December 2000.[11]

Learning events and initiatives

In addition to its high-profile awards ceremonies, BAFTA manages a year-round programme of educational events and initiatives including film screenings and Q&As, tribute evenings, interviews, lectures, and debates with major industry figures. With over 250 events a year, BAFTA's stated aim is to inspire and inform the next generation of talent by providing a platform for some of the world's most talented practitioners to pass on their knowledge and experience.[12]

Many of these events are free to watch online at BAFTA Guru and via its official channel on YouTube.[13]

Scholarships

BAFTA runs a number of scholarship programmes across the UK, US and Asia.

Launched in 2012, the UK programme enables talented British citizens who are in need of financial support to take an industry-recognised course in film, television or games in the UK. Each BAFTA Scholar receives up to £12,000 towards their annual course fees, and mentoring support from a BAFTA member and free access to BAFTA events around the UK. Since 2013, three students every year have received one of the Prince William Scholarships in Film, Television and Games, supported by BAFTA and Warner Bros. These scholarships are awarded in the name of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in his role as president of BAFTA.

In the US, BAFTA Los Angeles offers financial support and mentorship to British graduate students studying in the US, as well as scholarships to provide financial aid to local LA students from the inner city. BAFTA New York's Media Studies Scholarship Program, set up in 2012, supports students pursuing media studies at undergraduate and graduate level institutions within the New York City area and includes financial aid and mentoring opportunities.

Since 2015, BAFTA has been offering scholarships for British citizens to study in China, vice versa.[14]

Awards

BAFTA presents awards for film, television and games, including children's entertainment, at a number of annual ceremonies across the UK and in Los Angeles, USA.

BAFTA awards
The BAFTA award, designed by Mitzi Cunliffe

The BAFTA award trophy is a mask, designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe. When the Guild merged with the British Film Academy to become the Society of Film and Television Arts, later the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the first 'BAFTA award' was presented to Sir Charles Chaplin on his Academy Fellowship that year.

A BAFTA award – including the bronze mask and marble base – weighs 3.7 kg (8.2 lb) and measures 27 cm (11 in) high x 14 cm (5.5 in) wide x 8 cm (3.1 in) deep; the mask itself measures 16 cm (6.3 in) high x 14 cm (5.5 in) wide. They are made of phosphor bronze and cast in a Middlesex foundry.[15]

In 2017, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts introduced new entry rules for British films starting from the 2018/19 season to foster diversity.[16]

Awards ceremonies

Film Awards
Main article: British Academy Film Awards

BAFTA's annual film awards ceremony is known as the British Academy Film Awards,[17] or "the BAFTAs", and reward the best work of any nationality seen on British cinema screens during the preceding year.[18] In 1949 the British Film Academy, as it was then known, presented the first awards for films made in 1947 and 1948. Since 2008 the ceremony has been held at the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden. It had been held in the Odeon cinema on Leicester Square since 2000. Since 2017, the BAFTA ceremony has been held at the Royal Albert Hall.[19][20] The ceremony had been performed during April or May of each year, but since 2002 it has been held in February to precede the academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' (AMPAS) Academy Awards, or Oscars.

In order for a film to be considered for a BAFTA nomination its first public exhibition must be displayed in a cinema and it must have a UK theatrical release for no fewer than seven days of the calendar year that corresponds to the upcoming awards. A movie must be of feature length and movies from all countries are eligible in all categories, with the exception of the Alexander Korda Award for Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut which are for British films or individuals only.

Television Awards and Television Craft Awards
Main articles: British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards

The British Academy Television Awards ceremony usually takes place during April or May, with its sister ceremony, the British Academy Television Craft Awards, usually occurring within a few weeks of it.

The Television Awards, celebrating the best TV programmes and performances of the past year, are also often referred to simply as "the BAFTAs" or, to differentiate them from the movie awards, the "BAFTA Television Awards". They have been awarded annually since 1954. The first ever ceremony consisted of six categories. Until 1958, they were awarded by the Guild of Television Producers and Directors.

From 1968 until 1997, BAFTA's Film and Television Awards were presented together, but from 1998 onwards they were presented at two separate ceremonies.

The Television Craft Awards celebrate the talent behind the programmes, such as individuals working in visual effects, production, and costume design.

Only British programmes are eligible – with the potential exception of the publicly voted Audience Award – but any cable, satellite, terrestrial or digital television stations broadcasting in the UK are eligible to submit entries, as are independent production companies who have produced programming for the channels. Individual performances can either be entered by the performers themselves or by the broadcasters. The programmes being entered must have been broadcast on or between 1 January and 31 December of the year preceding the awards ceremony.

Since 2014 the "BAFTA Television Awards" have been open to TV programmes which are only broadcast online.[21]

Games Awards
Main article: British Academy Games Awards

The British Academy Games Awards ceremony traditionally takes place in March, shortly after the Film Awards ceremony in February.

BAFTA first recognised video games and other interactive media at its inaugural BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards ceremony during 1998, the first major change of its rules since the admittance of television thirty years earlier. Among the first winning games were GoldenEye 007, Gran Turismo and interactive comedy MindGym, sharing the spotlight with the BBC News Online website which won the news category four years consecutively. These awards allowed the academy to recognise new forms of entertainment that were engaging new audiences and challenging traditional expressions of creativity.

During 2003, the sheer ubiquity of interactive forms of entertainment and the breadth of genres and types of video games outgrew the combined ceremony, and the event was divided into the BAFTA Video Games Awards and the BAFTA Interactive Awards[22] Despite making headlines with high-profile winners like Halo 2 and Half-Life 2 the interactive division was discontinued and disappeared from BAFTA's publicity material after only two ceremonies.

During 2006, BAFTA announced its decision "to give video games equal status with film and television", and the academy now advertises video games as its third major topic in recognition of its importance as an art form of moving images. The same year the ceremony was performed at The Roundhouse by Chalk Farm Road in North London on 5 October and was televised for the first time on 17 October and was broadcast on the digital channel E4.

Since 2009, the ceremonies have been performed at the London Hilton Park Lane and Tobacco Dock, London, and have been hosted by Dara Ó Briain and Rufus Hound.

Children's Awards
Main article: British Academy Children's Awards

The British Academy Children's Awards are presented annually during November to reward excellence in the art forms of the moving image intended for children.[23] They have been awarded annually since 1969.

The academy has a long history of recognising and rewarding children's programming, presenting two awards at the 1969 ceremony – The Flame of Knowledge Award for Schools Programmes and the Harlequin Award for Children's Programmes.

As of 2010 the Awards ceremony includes 19 categories across movies, television, video games and online content.

Since 2007 the Children's Awards have included a Kids Vote award, voted by children between seven and 14. BAFTA Kids Vote is the annual competition for children aged between seven and 12 which is now part of BAFTA's year-round BAFTA Kids programme of activity helping children "discover, explore and find out more about the worlds of films, television and games by providing content, information and experiences". The CBBC Me and My Movie award, a children's filmmaking initiative to inspire and enable children to make their own movies and tell their own stories, has been discontinued.

BAFTA Student Film Awards

BAFTA also hosts the annual BAFTA Student Film Awards as showcase for rising industry talent. The animation award was sponsored in 2017 and 2018 by animation studio Laika. [24]

Presidents and Vice-Presidents

Presidents

  1. The Duke of Edinburgh (1959–1965)
  2. The Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1966–1972)
  3. The Princess Royal (1973–2001)
  4. The Lord Attenborough (2001–2010)
  5. The Duke of Cambridge (2010–present)

Vice-Presidents

  1. The Lord Attenborough (1973–1995)
  2. The Lord Puttnam (1995–2004)
  3. Michael Grade (2004–2010)
  4. Duncan Kenworthy (film) (2009–2015)
  5. Sophie Turner Laing (television) (2010–2015)
  6. Greg Dyke (television) (2016–present)[25]

Royal connections

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, has been president of the academy since February 2010.[26]

The Duke's appointment follows a long tradition of royal involvement with the academy.[27] Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the first president of the Society of Film and Television Arts (SFTA) in 1959 to 1965, followed by Earl Mountbatten of Burma and the Princess Royal, who was its president from 1972 to 2001. It was the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's generous donation of their share of profits from the film Royal Family that enabled the academy to move to its headquarters at 195 Piccadilly.[28] The Duke of Cambridge succeeded Lord (Richard) Attenborough to become the academy's fifth president in its history.

BAFTA Los Angeles

BAFTA Los Angeles, founded in 1987 and currently chaired by Kathryn Busby,[29][30] serves as the bridge between the Hollywood and British production and entertainment business communities.[31] The BAFTA Los Angeles location hosts a series of events, including the Britannia Awards, the Awards Season Film and Television Tea Parties in January and September, and the annual Garden Party.

BAFTA Los Angeles provides access to screenings, Q&As with creative talent, produces seminars with UK film and television executives and the Heritage Archive, featuring interviews with British members of the film and television industries. The Los Angeles location also hosts the Student Film Awards and has an active Scholarship Program offering financial support and mentorship to UK students studying in the US. It created The Inner City Cinema,[32] a screening program providing free screenings of theatrical films to inner city areas not served by theatres. The success of Inner City Cinema has led to further free screening programs extended to multiple inner city parks through the academy's work with both the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks After Dark) and The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (Teen Summer Camps).

Britannia Awards
Main article: Britannia Awards

The Britannia Awards are BAFTA Los Angeles' highest accolade, a "celebration of achievements honouring individuals and companies that have dedicated their careers to advancing the entertainment arts". The Awards began in 1989 and usually take place in October/November every year. There are no awards given to specific movies or TV programmes, only to individuals. During the first ten years, one award was given at each event, named the 'Britannia Award for Excellence in Film', but since 1999 the number of awards has increased.

Awards given include "The Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film" (the original award was renamed during 2000 to honour director Stanley Kubrick), presented to an individual "upon whose work is stamped the indelible mark of authorship and commitment, and who has lifted the craft to new heights"; "The John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Artistic Excellence in Directing" (added during 2003 in honour of John Schlesinger); the "Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year"; and the "Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment". In select years, the evening has included the "BAFTA Los Angeles Humanitarian Award".

The show has been broadcast on TV around the world, including the TV Guide Network and BBC America in the United States.

BAFTA Scotland
Main article: BAFTA Scotland

BAFTA Scotland is a branch of the academy located in Glasgow, Scotland.

Since 1986,[33] BAFTA has continued to specifically champion the film, television and game industries in Scotland by celebrating excellence, championing new Scottish talent and reaching out to the public.

British Academy Scotland Awards
Main article: British Academy Scotland Awards

The British Academy Scotland Awards are BAFTA Scotland's annual awards ceremony,[34] celebrating and rewarding the highest achievements in Scottish film, television and games.

BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards
Main article: British Academy Scotland New Talent Awards

BAFTA Scotland also produces the annual New Talent Awards ceremony, shining a spotlight on new and emerging Scottish talent in the art forms of moving image.[35] Since they began in 1996, the annual New Talent Awards highlight the creativity that exists in Scotland by recognising and rewarding talented individuals who have started to work in the film, television and games industries.

BAFTA Wales

BAFTA Cymru is a branch of the academy formed in 1991 and extends the charity's mission across the UK in support of Wales' creative communities.

British Academy Cymru Awards

For over 25 years BAFTA Cymru has celebrated Welsh talent across film and television production and craft and performance roles with the British Academy Cymru Awards, its annual awards ceremony that takes place in Cardiff.[36] In 2016, having reviewed the eligibility criteria for last year's awards, BAFTA Cymru now encourages Welsh individuals who have worked on Welsh or UK productions – rather than solely Welsh productions – to enter into any one of the 16 craft and performance categories, "[ensuring] that BAFTA in Wales can recognise the work of talented individuals who are working on network productions in craft or performance roles across the UK."[37]

BAFTA New York

BAFTA New York founded in 1996, recognises and promotes the achievements of British film and television in New York and all along the East Coast.[38]

It hosts feature film, television and documentary screenings, panel discussions, premieres and co-produced events with other established organisations in the film and television industry, and runs an educational outreach program aimed at underserved youth in New York City that includes the BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program.

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See also

References
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  2. "David Lean's Letter to the Academy". Bafta.org. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  3. "BAFTA Awards: Overview". Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  4. "Sir David Lean (1908–1991)". www.bafta.org. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  5. "Harvey Weinstein timeline: How the scandal unfolded". BBC News. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  6. "About BAFTA Membership". BAFTA. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  7. "BAFTA membership". BAFTA. Archived from the original on 16 June 2017.
  8. "BAFTA Giving – About – The BAFTA site". BAFTA. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  9. "BAFTA Worldwide". BAFTA. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  10. "BAFTA in Asia". BAFTA. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  11. Dehn, Georgia (9 February 2013). "Bafta chief executive Amanda Berry on her daily routine, treasured possessions and life in the run up to the film awards". ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  12. "BAFTA's Commitment to Learning – About – The BAFTA site". Bafta.org. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  13. "BAFTA".
  14. "BAFTA Awards Scholarships To Students In The UK And US". www.bafta.org. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  15. "Bafta masks: The foundry that makes bronze trophies". BBC News. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  16. Orlova, Tamara; Alvarez, Joe (12 July 2017). "BAFTA New Entry Rules Forcing Diversity in British Film Making". Ikon London Magazine. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  17. "BAFTA Film Awards". Bafta.org. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  18. "EE British Academy Film Awards". BAFTA. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  19. Orlova-Alvarez, Tamara; Alvarez, Joe (13 February 2017). "Royal BAFTAs". Ikon London Magazine. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  20. Orlova-Alvarez, Tamara; Alvarez, Joe (13 February 2018). "Jennifer Lawrence EE British Academy Film and Television Awards". Ikon London Magazine. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  21. Lizo Mzimba (1 October 2013). "BBC News – Bafta opens TV awards up to online shows". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  22. "Technology | Multimedia's best in Bafta battle". BBC News. 1 December 2003. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  23. "British Academy Children's Awards". Bafta.org. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  24. Variety.com 22 May 2018 Retrieved 20 March 2019
  25. "Presidents and Vice Presidents of BAFTA". BAFTA. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  26. connie.fisher (21 February 2010). "Prince William to become President of BAFTA". The Royal Family. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  27. "The Royal Family and the Academy – Key personnel – About – The BAFTA site". Bafta.org. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  28. "BAFTA 195 Piccadilly". Unique Venues of London. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  29. Mark A. Silba, "Kathryn Busby elected chair of Bafta LA board", Screen Daily, 11 December 2018.
  30. Peter White, "Sony Exec Kathryn Busby To Chair BAFTA LA Board", Deadline Hollywood, 11 December 2018.
  31. "About BAFTA in Los Angeles – Los Angeles – The BAFTA site". Bafta.org. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  32. "Community Outreach and Education – About BAFTA in Los Angeles – Los Angeles – The BAFTA site". Bafta.org. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  33. "Happy Birthday BAFTA Scotland". Bafta.org. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  34. "BAFTA in Scotland's Annual Awards". Bafta.org. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  35. "New Talent Awards Winners in 2010 – Awards – Scotland – The BAFTA site". Bafta.org. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  36. "About BAFTA in Wales". Bafta.org. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  37. "25th British Academy Cymru Awards open for entry with new eligibility criteria". Bafta.org. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  38. "About BAFTA in New York". Bafta.org. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
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