The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today opened applications to the BAFTA Scholarship Programme, which enables talented British citizens in need of financial support to take an industry-recognised course in film, games or television in the UK. Applications for the 2019-2020 academic year open today at http://bit.ly/BAFTAScholarships and close on Tuesday 28 May.
The scholarships are part of BAFTA’s charitable activity to support talented people at all stages of their career, regardless of their background or circumstances. Each BAFTA Scholar will receive up to £12,000 towards their annual tuition fees, as well as mentoring support from a BAFTA member, and free access to BAFTA events around the UK. In return, the scholarship recipients share their learning experiences on BAFTA Guru (bafta.alchemy.construction/guru), BAFTA’s online learning resource, and participate in BAFTA’s outreach to young people.
Previous BAFTA Scholars have gone on to work on BAFTA-nominated or winning productions, and achieve BAFTA membership.
Sara Putt, Chair of BAFTA’s Learning and New Talent Committee, said: “Over the years we’ve seen just how impactful a BAFTA scholarship can be for talented individuals who would otherwise be lost to our industries. We help to access and navigate a world that can seem impenetrable if you don’t have the financial means to develop your skills, nor existing relationships with industry gatekeepers. I encourage anyone with a talent, whatever their background or circumstances, to apply.”
The BAFTA Scholarship Programme has been made possible by the generous support of the Reuben Foundation, Susie Saunders, Linda Shire, Tinopolis and Warner Bros.
For a seventh year, three individuals studying in the UK will each receive one of the Prince William Scholarships in Film, Games and Television, supported by BAFTA and Warner Bros. These scholarships are awarded in the name of HRH The Duke of Cambridge in his role as President of BAFTA. The recipients will have their fees funded as part of Warner Bros. Creative Talent, which includes a short paid work placement within the Warner Bros. group of companies, access to a Warner Bros. mentor, and invitations to a series of industry masterclasses.
From this year, the BAFTA Tinopolis Scholarship, supported by Tinopolis, a Welsh based independent television production and distribution group, will support a talented individual from Wales who wants to build a career in television. The BAFTA Tinopolis Scholar will receive financial assistance throughout their postgraduate studies, as well as additional mentoring from a range of Tinopolis executives and creatives, depending on which area they choose to specialise in.
Three BAFTA Reuben Scholarships will support one individual each on a film, games and television course respectively.
The BAFTA Scholarship Programme in the UK is part of BAFTA’s wider global scholarship activity, which includes scholarships for Chinese nationals to study in the UK. The BAFTA US Scholarship Program supports British and international students studying in the US, as well local students from underserved groups in New York and Los Angeles.
For more on BAFTA scholarships go to: http://bit.ly/BAFTAGlobalScholarships.
Note to Editors:
A selection of BAFTA Scholars who have worked on BAFTA-nominated or winning productions (year of scholarships in brackets):
- Daisy Jacobs (2012) – Animation director won a BAFTA and was Oscar-nominated with her graduation short film The Bigger Picture at the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2015
- Craig Dean Devine (2012) – Cinematographer on Pili, a film nominated for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2019. Craig, who has moved to Los Angeles, said: “I don’t think I’d be out here working and living in LA if it wasn’t for the support of the BAFTA scholarship.”
- Shivani Shah (2015) – Visual effects artist on Avengers: Infinity War and Ready Player One, both nominated for Special Visual Effects at the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2019
- Eloise Tomlinson (2014) – VFX supervisor on BAFTA-winning short animation A Love Story at the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2017
Producer Rienkje Attoh (2013) became a fully-fledged member of BAFTA in 2018. Rienkje said: “Having an academy such as BAFTA support you and say that actually you’re a talent they want to nurture is truly a big deal … It’s helped my career and given me confidence and belief in myself. I’ve benefitted from the masterclasses greatly and I’ve met some amazing people. One job tends to leads to another, and the contacts and friendships I’ve made since my scholarship and film school is basically what’s kept me going as an independent filmmaker.”
For further information, please contact:
Sophie Dudhill
T: +44 (0)20 7292 5863
For photography, logos and more, visit bafta.alchemy.construction/press.
