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British Academy Scotland Awards 2015: Outstanding Contribution Honourees annouced

10 November 2015
Bill Paterson

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in Scotland (BAFTA Scotland) has announced today that Bill Paterson, David Balfour and Dorothy Byrne will be the recipients of this year’s Outstanding Contribution awards. 

Each will be recognised and presented with their award at the British Academy Scotland Awards, hosted by Edith Bowman at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel, on Sunday 15 November. 

With almost 50 years in the industry, Bill Paterson will receive an award for Outstanding Contribution to Film & Television. His varied career sees credits in Hollywood blockbusters such as Truly Madly Deeply, The Witches and How to Lose Friends and Alienate People; much-loved television shows including Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Doctor Who, and theatre productions including Earthquakes in London and Death and the Maiden. This year, Paterson was seen on stage alongside acting veteran Brian Cox in Waiting for Godot as part of the 50th anniversary of Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum, receiving rave reviews for his portrayal of Estragon. He also recently completed work on the hugely anticipated Dad’s Army film, set for release in 2016, starring alongside Michael Gambon, Bill Nighy and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Bill Paterson said: “It was tremendous and entirely unexpected to be told I was to receive such a prestigious award. I'm delighted and looking forward to a wonderful evening – thank you so much to BAFTA Scotland for such an incredible honour.”

The award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting is to be presented to Dorothy Byrne, Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4 and award-winning editor. Byrne is best known for her work as Commissioning Editor for Dispatches and overseeing Unreported World and Channel 4 News. During her time editing Dispatches the programme won multiple BAFTAs, while Byrne herself won the Women in Film and Television award for Best Woman in Factual Television and was made a Fellow of The Royal Television Society for her ‘outstanding contribution to television journalism’.

Dorothy Byrne said: “To be honoured in my homeland means a great deal to me. Some of the UK’s best television has come out of Scotland where there is a vibrant creative sector which I believe has even more to offer. I am very proud that BAFTA Scotland, which plays a key role, should have chosen to give this to me.”

Also being celebrated at the prestigious awards ceremony is David Balfour, the globally renowned prop master who will receive the accolade for his Outstanding Contribution to Craft. Since landing his first job at Glasgow’s Citizen’s Theatre, Balfour has created and manufactured props for decades, working on Hollywood blockbusters such as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Maleficent and Jungle Book: Origins,  which is currently in production.

David Balfour said: “I was over the moon to hear I was to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Craft award at this year’s British Academy Scotland Awards. Having worked with some of the very best talent in Scotland on TV and film, it’s incredible that this evening will shine a light on the amazing talent we have on our doorstep.  I can’t wait for what is no doubt going to be a fantastic evening with my fellow Scots.”

The British Academy Scotland Awards is one of the biggest nights in Scotland’s calendar and is renowned for welcoming and honouring an impressive line-up of stars. In addition to the Outstanding Contribution awards, 17 trophies will be handed out at the glittering ceremony, including Actor Film, Actress Film, Feature Film and Game. 

Jude MacLaverty, Director of BAFTA Scotland, said: “We are extremely honoured to be celebrating the careers of such prestigious names in the television, film and broadcasting industries. Bill Paterson, Dorothy Byrne and David Balfour are leaders in their fields and we are proud to present the Outstanding Contribution awards to them this year to honour their tremendous body of work.”

For information on buying tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please visit the BAFTA Scotland website (www.bafta.org/scotland/) or call 0141 553 5402.

For further press information:

Victoria Irvine at Wire Media

T 0141 648 9610 / 07951 365 636

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About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – featuring workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes – in the UK, USA and Asia; it offers unique access to the world’s most inspiring talent and connects with a global audience of all ages and backgrounds. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. To access the best creative minds in film, television and games production, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.