Chosen scholars to receive over £190,000 in financial support and BAFTA mentorship
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced the global recipients of its 2020/21 scholarships programme, supporting the study of film, games and television courses in the UK and US.
This year BAFTA has awarded 28 scholarships in total, 12 in the UK and a further 16 in the US.
In addition to financial aid totalling over £190,000 towards their annual course fees, the BAFTA Scholars will gain free access to BAFTA online events and resources as well as one-to-one mentoring from BAFTA award winners, nominees and members. Previous scholar mentors include Naomie Harris (Spectre), Maxine Peake (Shameless), Philippa Lowthorpe (Misbehaviour) and Tim Bevan (Bridget Jones).
This year’s 28 BAFTA scholars will be studying disciplines at various institutions ranging from the National Film and Television School, Christine Blundell Makeup Academy, Glasgow Caledonian University, The City College of New York, NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the American Film Institute,
Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive at BAFTA, said: “Our charitable activity sits at the heart of everything we do. For the last 18 years, BAFTA Scholarships have played a vital role in providing financial support for students who would not otherwise be able to further their education in film, games or television. Alongside this, BAFTA offers unique opportunities through mentoring and access to a wealth of online events. Congratulations to all of our 2020 scholars.”
Previous BAFTA Scholars have continued to thrive within the industry working on major, award-winning productions, such as director Aneil Karia (Top Boy), Sacha Gervasi (My Dinner with Herve, Hitchcock), visual effects artist Shivani Shah (The Lion King trailer, Avengers: Infinity War), makeup artist Alesha Ledeatte-Williams (No Time to Die) and actor Jurrell Carter (Kiri, Emmerdale).
The BAFTA Scholarships programme is made possible by the generous support of a number of individuals, foundations and partnerships.
This year for the first time, BAFTA has partnered with the Fulbright Commission to fund the Fulbright-BAFTA Scholarship, offering $60,000 to a UK student to pursue a master’s degree in film, or discipline related to the practical art forms of the moving image, at any accredited US university.
In the UK, for a seventh year, three students will receive the Prince William Scholarships in film, games and television, supported by BAFTA and Warner Bros., which are awarded in the name of HRH The Duke of Cambridge in his role as President of BAFTA. For the first time this year the Kirsh Foundation is also a named supporter of the UK scholarships programme and the Reuben Foundation is supporting for its third year.
In the US, BAFTA Scholarships are funded by philanthropist Mark Pigott KBE, as well as The Hunter Foundation, HBO, BBC America, DLT Entertainment, King Features Animation, and The Taffner Family Charitable Trust. The BAFTA Los Angeles scholarship programme has grown from supporting one single student at UCLA, to eight students studying a range of courses across the US. The BAFTA New York scholarship programme has grown from supporting four to eight students at prestigious institutions in New York.
A full list of scholars is available here
For further information and imagery or biographies of individual scholars, please contact:
Sophie Dudhill
Press Officer at BAFTA
T: +44 (0)20 7292 5863
E: [email protected]
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For advice and inspiration from the best creative minds in working in film, games and television, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.
BAFTA Los Angeles serves as a bridge between the Hollywood and British production and entertainment business communities. Its commitment to professional and community education is at the heart of all activity, including an inner-city outreach programme, screenings, seminars, Behind Closed Doors series, Q&As, scholarships for British students studying in the US, and a Heritage Archive project, which preserves in-depth interviews with the industry's leading talents for future generations. BAFTA Los Angeles celebrates and promotes excellence through its annual Britannia Awards, Awards Season Film and Television Tea Parties and the Student Film Awards. www.bafta.org/losangeles
BAFTA New York carries the Academy’s mission forward on the Atlantic Coast through its commitment to the film, television and documentary communities. Its activities include screenings, masterclasses, Q&As and panels focusing on industry trends in film, television and multimedia. BAFTA New York’s educational outreach supports underserved youth in New York City and includes the BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program, which was established to support students pursuing media studies at undergraduate and graduate level institutions within the New York City
