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Sue Bruce-Smith and Roger Pratt receive BAFTA Special Awards

21 January 2019

Film4’s Sue Bruce-Smith and cinematographer Roger Pratt have been honoured with Special Awards at BAFTA-hosted tribute events

London, 21 January 2019:  The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has presented Special Awards to Sue Bruce-Smith and Roger Pratt at BAFTA’s headquarters, 195 Piccadilly, over the weekend. The recipients were recognised at their own tribute events on Friday and Sunday respectively.

Sue Bruce-Smith, Deputy Director at Film4, was recognised with a Special Award for her outstanding contribution to British cinema in a tribute evening on Friday 18 January.

BAFTA Trustee and co-president of Cornerstone Films, Alison Thompson, presented Bruce-Smith with the iconic BAFTA mask on the night, highlighting Bruce-Smith’s profound and far reaching contribution to the British film industry over the past 30 years. Speakers included Tessa Ross, BAFTA-winning producer and former head of Film4, Ben Roberts, Deputy CEO of BFI, producer Gail Egan, and Daniel Battsek, Director of Film4.

Bruce-Smith, unaware that she was receiving the BAFTA accolade, was joined by colleagues and friends in celebration of her expansive career to date, including BAFTA-winning directors Steve McQueen and Kevin Macdonald, and BAFTA-winning producers Alison Owen, Liz Karlsen, and Ed Guiney.

Sue Bruce-Smith commented, ‘Over the last 30 years, from my somewhat fluky start in the business, I have developed a real love of independent film, film’s power and the collaborative process required for its creation. The world seems such a strange place at the moment and the arts - and within that film - has such an important role to play. I am very grateful to BAFTA for this Award and for prompting me to encourage all women out there not to limit themselves. Be properly ambitious and confident in your own ability to see that ambition realised.'

Cinematographer Roger Pratt was also recognised with a Special Award for outstanding contribution to cinematography at his BAFTA tribute event on Sunday 20 January.

The special tribute event was compered by BAFTA-winning producer Stephen Woolley. Speakers included directors Mike Leigh, Terry Gilliam, Richard Eyre, and BAFTA-winning gaffer Chuck Finch, all of whom spoke highly of Pratt’s lifelong achievements, which include working as director of photography on more than 35 films.

Comedian and BAFTA Fellow Michael Palin presented Pratt with the prestigious award in front of an audience of industry professionals, friends, and family, including BAFTA-winning production designer Stuart Craig OBE, and BAFTA-winning producer Duncan Kenworthy OBE.

May Phillips, Roger Pratt’s daughter, commented: ‘We couldn’t be more thrilled that Roger’s contribution to the British film industry is being recognised and celebrated by BAFTA. Roger has never been one to sing his own praises - so we are very glad, especially now, that others can do it for him!’ 

Stephen Woolley, commented: ‘Roger is one of the creative forces behind not only 80s cinema but going on through the 90s and up until today. Roger personified the often clichéd term "painting with light”, and as a producer I feel privileged to work with him.’

Pippa Harris, Chair at BAFTA, said: ‘We are delighted to announce that both Sue Bruce-Smith and Roger Pratt have received Special Awards this year, one of BAFTA’s highest honours. Both recipients have made an extraordinary contribution to the industry and we are thrilled to be recognising their talent, skill and creativity’.

About Sue Bruce-Smith

Sue Bruce-Smith has made an outstanding contribution to the British film industry for over 30 years across finance, production, marketing, distribution and international sales. Starting out at Palace Pictures in 1985, Sue became Marketing and Distribution Manager on releases including Nightmare on Elm Street and Scandal. Since then, Sue has worked for the British Film Institute as Head of International Sales, BBC Worldwide where she was responsible for investment strategy in feature film, and for two stints at Film4, most recently as Deputy Director. During her time at Film4, Sue has worked on films including This Is England, Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years a Slave, Under The Skin, Suffragette and The Favourite. She has also exec produced Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here, Mike Leigh’s Peterloo and Steve McQueen’s Widows.

About Roger Pratt

After graduating from the London Film School, Roger Pratt debuted as director of photography on Roger Christian’s The Sender in 1982 and has since worked in his role as a cinematographer on over 35 films. Pratt’s work has included memorable use of both light and shadow, having worked on an impressive repertoire of films, including Terry Gilliam’s Brazil (1985), Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa (1986), Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and Kenneth Branagh’s Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994). Chocolat (2000) earned Pratt his second of two BAFTA nominations, with the first for his stunning work on The End of the Affair (1999), for which he was also Oscar-nominated. The balance of rich colours and deep shadows also mark his exceptional cinematography on two Harry Potter films, and Wolgang Peterson’s epic Troy (2004).

Previous BAFTA nominations

Sue Bruce-Smith has worked on both BAFTA-winning and BAFTA-nominated films, however the Special Award is the first BAFTA accolade that recognises her personal achievements.

Roger Pratt:

Category Date
Film / Cinematography – The End Of The Affair 2000           
Film / Cinematography – Chocolat 2001

ENDS

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Photography

Free press images from the Special Award presentations and Tributes can be found here: www.bafta.thirdlight.com in the ‘Tributes’ folder.

A wider selection of imagery is avialable from Rex/Shutterstock

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.