BAFTA increases creative future investment
May 20, 2021
By Colin Mann
UK film and television body BAFTA has announced plans to expand the work it does to find and support new talent in the UK and globally.
In 2022, the charity plans to relaunch its year-round learning and talent development programme, engaging over 10 million learners online and equipping 80,000 people a year with the tools to develop a career in film, games and television via events, competitions and initiatives. In addition, bespoke year-round support will be given to 4,000 talented individuals through initiatives including BAFTA Breakthrough, BAFTA Crew, Young Game Designers and newly-developed initiatives to help talent realise their potential.
The expansion is made possible by the ongoing redevelopment of BAFTA’s headquarters at 195 Piccadilly. Scheduled to open officially in 2022, 195 Piccadilly will be a creative centre for film, games and television and the central hub for BAFTA’s UK-wide, and global, learning and talent development programme. The redevelopment will give BAFTA its first-ever dedicated learning space, as well as state-of-the-art technology and increased revenues to enable it to fulfil its charitable remit for years to come: investing in the next generation of talent; helping to build a more inclusive and diverse industry; and increasing public engagement.
The BAFTA Review, which was published in 2020 announcing wide-ranging changes to BAFTA’s Awards, has informed and focused the enhanced learning programme announced today. The Review, an industry-wide consultation on issues within BAFTA’s voting procedures and the wider industry, identified groups who face particular challenges in accessing the screen industries, including disabled practitioners, and challenged the industry to address the serious lack of opportunity and equality. The expanded learning and talent development programme is informed by these findings, ensuring a diverse future across the film, games and television industries.
So far, the redevelopment has been generously supported by donations from the film, games and television industry, individuals, and trusts and foundations. Donors include: The Dolby Family and Dolby Laboratories, The Shaw Foundation Hong Kong, Netflix, The Reuben Foundation, the Clore Duffield Foundation and The Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, supported through the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP).
Major donations from a number of individual philanthropists include The Dorfman Foundation, Duncan Kenworthy OBE, Kevin and Carrie Burke, Eilene Davidson, Donald Taffner Jr., Mrs Alfiya Askar Abulkhair, and Vera Wang. It has also been supported by Disney, Dana and Albert R. Broccoli Foundation, WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal, All3Media, The Richard Attenborough Charitable Trust, Codemasters, Entertainment One, Carnival Film & Television, Activision Blizzard, Left Bank Pictures, Twickenham Film Studios.
In addition to generous support of the 195 redevelopment, Netflix is also the main supporting partner for BAFTA Breakthrough, the flagship global talent initiative operating across the UK, USA and India, which showcases and supports the next generation of creative talent in film, games and television.
BAFTA continues to fundraise to support the expanded learning and talent development programme and the redevelopment of 195 Piccadilly.
“This is a vital investment in the creative future of film, games and television,” stated Amanda Berry OBE , Chief Executive at BAFTA. “Our cross-sector knowledge, global talent networks and the newly renovated 195 Piccadilly will allow us to deliver a learning and talent development programme that enables talented individuals to build careers in our industries. The redevelopment of 195 Piccadilly, and the opportunities it will make possible, will allow BAFTA to ensure that the next generation of talent – whatever their background – has the vital chance to succeed.”
“I am passionate about supporting BAFTA’s role in educating, inspiring and celebrating the diverse future generations of talent in film, digital and games,” added Barbara Broccoli, BAFTA Vice President for Film. “The redevelopment will enable BAFTA to expand this important work.”
“We’re incredibly proud to build on our support for BAFTA, its training initiatives and the redevelopment of 195 Piccadilly,” declared Anne Mensah, Vice President of Original Series at Netflix. “This is an exciting moment for BAFTA and we hope that the venue will be able to deliver new learning and development platforms to inspire and provide a helping hand into the industry for the next generation of British creatives.”