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BAFTA Further Supports UK-Asia Ties; Opens BAFTA Yip Foundation Scholarships On Return Visit To Hong Kong

24 March 2014
Amanda Berry, Katherine Yip and Duncan Kenworthy at the Peninsula Hong Kong.

BAFTA's activity in Asia includes talks by BAFTA-winning producer Duncan Kenworthy OBE, and Afternoon Tea with new talent.

London and Hong Kong, 24 March 2014: Following the successful delivery of its first series of events in Hong Kong in December 2013, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is back in the region to further support UK-Asia cross-cultural exchange and rising talent. BAFTA has today announced that it is now accepting applications from Hong Kong residents in need of financial assistance to study a postgraduate course in the UK in film, television or games. The announcement of the newly named BAFTA Yip Foundation Scholarships comes as the organisation hosts several events this week that continue its outreach into Asia.

The scholarships are part of the wider BAFTA Scholarship Programme in Hong Kong, generously supported by the Yip Foundation, which will also enable up to two UK nationals to study a postgraduate course in Hong Kong. The BAFTA Yip Foundation Scholarships will provide two permanent residents of Hong Kong with up to £20,000 towards one year’s course fees at a UK institution, a £10,000 bursary for living expenses, the support of an industry mentor, and free access to BAFTA events. Applications are now open here: BAFTA Hong Kong Scholarships Opportunities. The deadline for applications is Monday 9 June.

BAFTA’s ongoing events programme in Hong Kong aims to encourage creative collaboration between the UK and Asia by bringing together talented individuals from the film, television and games industries to share their skills and expertise.

Today, Monday 24 March, BAFTA is hosting the second meeting of its Hong Kong Advisory Board, which comprises leading industry figures from Asia and the UK.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, will also today welcome some of the most exciting new filmmaking talent from Asia and the UK to an Afternoon Tea networking event at The Peninsula Hong Kong. Confirmed attendees at the Afternoon Tea include director Anthony Chen (Ilo Ilo), winner of the Camera d'Or in Cannes, and Best Feature Film at the Taipei Golden Horse Awards in 2013, actor Jamie Campbell Bower (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 1 and 2, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones), and Hong Kong born actress Celina Jade (Legendary Assassin, Arrow).

On Wednesday 26 March, BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated producer Duncan Kenworthy OBE () will give a masterclass on his craft to students at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. In the evening he will speak at an intimate ‘Academy Circle’ event, at The Peninsula Hong Kong, for local supporters of BAFTA’s mission in Asia.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “We’re very excited to be back in Hong Kong to continue our programme of events and masterclasses that we embarked upon last year. With every event we do, and every meeting we hold, we further our ambition for collaboration and cross-cultural exchange, two of the essential aims underpinning all our activity here. I’m particularly pleased that we’re inviting Hong Kong residents to apply to our first ever BAFTA Yip Foundation Scholarships. Alongside the financial aspect of the scholarships, we’re giving every scholar an industry mentor and year-round access to BAFTA’s events programme in the UK; we’re committed to giving talented individuals every opportunity to develop and grow.”

Katherine Yip, Founder of the Yip Foundation, said: “My goal is to inspire the global community to have a greater sense of harmony through cultural exchange and edutainment. This scholarship programme will support the next generation of talented filmmakers and game developers from Asia and the UK. This is one of the central commitments of the Yip Foundation, in addition to our contributions to humanitarian causes.”

Supporting BAFTA’s activity in Hong Kong are BAFTA partners: The Peninsula Hong Kong, Champagne Taittinger, and The Yip Foundation.

For more information about BAFTA’s historic links with Hong Kong, and its activity in the region, visit the BAFTA in Asia webpage.


BAFTA events in Hong Kong – at a glance

Monday 24 March

  • Afternoon Tea networking event at The Peninsula Hong Kong for Asian film making talent and BAFTA supporters, with Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, and special guests.
  • Second meeting of the BAFTA Hong Kong Advisory Board.

Wednesday 26 March

  • Masterclass with BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated producer Duncan Kenworthy OBE (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually) at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
  • Academy Circle event with Duncan Kenworthy OBE at The Peninsula Hong Kong. An intimate event for local supporters of BAFTA’s mission in Asia.

Further Information

For further information about BAFTA’s activity in Hong Kong please contact Fleishman Hillard.

Rachel Catanach | T: +852 (2530) 0228 | E: [email protected]

Purry Chiu |T: + 852 (2530) 0228 | E: [email protected]


About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) 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, international programme of learning events and initiatives that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York. 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, TV and games production, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more information, visit www.bafta.org.


About the Yip Foundation

“While it is good to be successful in business, it is more important to do good for mankind.” The Yip Foundation is just one way that founder and entrepreneur, Katherine Yip, is bringing this personal credo to life.

The Yip Foundation is making a tangible difference with its support for a number of philanthropic causes including heart surgery and organ transplants for 15,000 children in developing countries, global youth education programmes, training schemes for healthcare professionals, elderly care projects, and the cultural exchange scholarships created for BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) across Asia.

The Yip Foundation assists individuals and communities to raise funds through dollar-for-dollar matching plans, and applies every dollar raised to the causes; no administration fees are charged.