BAFTA

BAFTA, colloquial name for the prestigious award given annually by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (also called BAFTA), an independent, membership-driven charitable arts organization based in London. BAFTA Awards honor the best in British and international film, television, and games in separate ceremonies throughout the year. Winners of the BAFTA Award are presented with the bronze mask designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe in 1955.

History of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts began as the British Film Academy in 1947 at the suggestion of film director Alexander Korda. He and several prominent individuals in the film industry, including David Lean and Laurence Olivier, met to discuss ways to support the British film industry, recognize individuals who contribute to its advancement, and give awards for artistic merit. The first BAFTA Awards were given in 1949 for such categories as British film, film from any source, documentary, and the United Nations Award for the best film embodying one or more of the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Meanwhile, the Guild of Television Producers and Directors held its own awards ceremony beginning in 1954. In 1958 it merged with the British Film Academy to form the Society of Film and Television Arts. In the 1970s Elizabeth II gifted the organization the royalties from Royal Family (1969), Richard Cawston’s documentary about the daily life of the Windsors. The donation enabled the society to move its headquarters to a renovated building at 195 Piccadilly. At the 1976 opening the society was officially renamed the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Other branches and awards

Over the years, BAFTA opened additional branches in Scotland (1986), Wales (1987), and the United States (Los Angeles in 1987 and New York in 1996; both branches merged in 2021 to form BAFTA North America). Additional BAFTA Awards were created, including the BAFTA Scotland Awards, the BAFTA Cymru (Welsh for “Wales”) Award, and the Britannia Awards. The latter were replaced in 2022 by the BAFTA Special Awards, honorary awards presented throughout the year to individuals in North America for their contributions to film, television, and games. Among BAFTA’s other offerings are BAFTA Young Game Designers, an initiative to inspire and support the creation and development of games by children aged 10–18, and the BAFTA Guru, which is for individuals starting out in the screen arts industry and includes podcasts, interviews, and motivational videos.

Organization and membership

The current president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts is William, prince of Wales, a position he has held since 2010. His appointment continued the long tradition of the royal family’s involvement with the academy going back to 1959, when Phillip, duke of Edinburgh, was appointed the president of the newly merged organization. Since then, the only president who was not part of the royal family was Richard Attenborough (2002–10). Other personnel include a board of trustees led by the chair of BAFTA, the membership council, various sector committees led by a chair, and a staff led by a CEO and executive director.

BAFTA also includes some 10,000 members from around the world. Those who have full voting membership are eligible to vote for the BAFTA Awards. These individuals have to meet certain criteria, including having “at least five years’ of experience in a key creative, head of department, or senior executive role” and must pay an annual fee. The Hollywood Reporter noted in 2022 that “BAFTA membership is a respected group of filmmakers, so that adds a lot to [the award’s] prestige.”

Educational and talent development initiatives

BAFTA is widely known for its annual awards ceremonies, but it is also highly regarded in the screen arts industries for its educational and talent development initiatives. Examples include providing scholarships to the National Film and Television School, from which many students and alumni go on to become BAFTA Award winners, and BAFTA Breakthrough, a yearlong program with mentoring and networking opportunities.

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