You are here

The Duke of Cambridge opens 'BAFTA: Behind the Screens' exhibition at BAFTA Piccadilly

13 September 2019
  • BAFTA opens to the public for the first time
  • The free exhibition explores the craft of BAFTA winners and nominees including display of costumes worn by Jodie Comer in Killing Eve

London, 16 September 2019: Today, His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, President of BAFTA, officially launched BAFTA Piccadilly, the venue for BAFTA’s new public-facing exhibition and café. The exhibition, BAFTA: Behind the Screens, celebrates the creativity and talent of BAFTA winners and nominees from the past 75 years.

BAFTA-winning and nominated exhibition contributors attended the launch, including Killing Eve costume designer Phoebe De Gaye; 12 Years a Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor; and Daniel Postgate, scriptwriter on the Clangers.

BAFTA-winning television producer Sally Woodward-Gentle, producer on Killing Eve, said: “All of the team at Sid Gentle and Killing Eve were delighted with the five BAFTA wins at the Television Awards this year, and it is an honour to have Phoebe de Gaye’s work showcased as part of BAFTA’s new exhibition. I am delighted that the public will get to see the costumes which help bring Villanelle’s character to life, alongside many other deserving BAFTA-winning and nominated projects.”

BAFTA: Behind the Screens is the first time BAFTA-winning and nominated materials have been collated from across the world and displayed to the public for free. This original collection of work provides an opportunity to discover inspiring stories from the award-winning people who write, make, shoot and shape what we see on screen.

Among the crafts on display are costumes worn by Jodie Comer in Killing Eve, including Molly Goddard’s iconic pink dress, plus original development sketches and scripts from the Clangers, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. BAFTA Film Award nominees and winners are also celebrated, with insight into Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character preparation for his BAFTA-winning performance in 12 Years A Slave, testimony of Nadine Labaki’s work with non-professional child actors when shooting Capernaum, plus hair and make-up design from The Favourite. The exhibition also features sketches, models and interviews with the creators of award-winning games Lumino City and Monument Valley. Over the next two years, the stories on display will change on a rolling, evolving programme to reflect a broad range of crafts, awards categories and genres.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “We are excited to be launching BAFTA Piccadilly, the first time a BAFTA café and exhibition have been open to the public. BAFTA: Behind the Screens showcases BAFTA-winning and nominated works from some of the many talented craftspeople BAFTA has recognised over the years. The venue, opened by BAFTA’s President HRH The Duke of Cambridge, will inspire future generations and emerging talent, as well as those who are interested in and want to discover more about film, games and television.”

As part of his visit, His Royal Highness met with some of the supporters of BAFTA’s ambitious redevelopment plans. The Duke also met the recipients of this year’s Prince William Scholarships in film, games and television, which BAFTA awards to three students each year. His Royal Highness also spoke to previous recipients and was able to hear about their experiences.

As previously announced, BAFTA 195 Piccadilly is undergoing a multi-million-pound redevelopment to double BAFTA’s charitable work with new and emerging talent. The increased space will enable BAFTA to support over 80,000 people to develop a career in the creative industries each year.

Visit BAFTA Piccadilly and see BAFTA: Behind the Screens from Tuesday, 17 September, 2019 at 194 Piccadilly, London. For more information on the new venue and exhibition, go to www.baftapiccadilly.co.uk

Photography from the event will be available from the press association at www.paimages.co.uk

Additional imagery available at www.bafta.thirdlight.com 

For further information, please contact:

Sophie Dudhill

Press Officer at BAFTA

T: 020 7292 5863

E: [email protected]

Notes to Editors

BAFTA: Behind the Screens is a free exhibition and there is no need to pre-book.

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Address: BAFTA Piccadilly, London, W1J 9EU

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.