London, Wednesday 12 November: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced that the Danish director Lone Scherfig will deliver the David Lean Lecture – BAFTA’s prestigious film lecture – on Monday 15 December at BAFTA’s headquarters, 195 Piccadilly in London.
The David Lean Lecture aims to provide an insight into the experiences and outstanding creative achievements of some of the world’s most compelling filmmakers. Lone Scherfig will be the first woman to deliver the lecture, following previous speakers including Paul Greengrass, Robert Altman, John Boorman, Oliver Stone, David Lynch and Pedro Almodóvar.
Nik Powell, Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, said: “Lone Scherfig is one of the original Danish directors – with Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg – to be part of the Dogme 95 movement. The multi award-winning Dogme 95 film Italian for Beginners showed her extraordinary ability to portray a deep humanity in her stories with lightness and humour, which she has continued to show in all her subsequent films; from Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself to the BAFTA-nominated An Education. Scherfig is a unique talent as well as being a torchbearer for women directors everywhere; we are thrilled to welcome her to BAFTA to share her unique perspective.”
Lone Scherfig began her career directing award-winning commercials and television dramas in her native Denmark. Her first feature as director, The Birthday Trip, was screened at the 1991 Berlin International Film Festival and won awards at festivals worldwide. In 2000, Scherfig wrote and directed Denmark’s fifth official ‘Dogme’ film, Italian for Beginners, bringing her to the attention of the worldwide film industry, critics, and audiences. At the 2001 Berlin International Film Festival, the film won the Silver Bear Jury Prize for Best Director.
Scherfig’s first English-language film was Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself in 2002 and has been followed by a string of successful British-funded films. In 2010, she directed An Education which gained BAFTA nominations for Best Director and Outstanding British Film, and a BAFTA for lead actress Carey Mulligan, as well as Oscar nominations in the Picture, Lead Actress and Writing categories. In 2011, Scherfig directed One Day based on David Nicholls’ bestselling novel and starring Anne Hathaway. Her most recent feature film The Riot Club, adapted from the play Posh, premiered at this year’s Toronto Film Festival.
Scherfig is currently directing Astronaut Wives Club, a 10 episode drama series for ABC Studios, which tells the story of the women behind some of the biggest events in American history.
The David Lean Lecture carries on the legacy of the great director David Lean, one of the founders of the British Film Academy (as it was then known) in 1947 and a continuing inspiration to many through his exceptional body of work. The Lecture is generously funded by The David Lean Foundation, which continues to support and encourage excellence in British film making.
Public tickets will go on sale at 13:00 on Friday 14 November. To book tickets, go to www.bafta.org/whats-on
Video highlights, a podcast and a transcript from the event will be available on BAFTA Guru, BAFTA’s online learning channel www.bafta.org/guru. Recordings of previous events in the series are available now.
Lone Scherfig Filmography:
- The Riot Club (2014)
- One Day (2011)
- An Education (2009)
- Just Like Home (2007)
- Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002)
- Italian for Beginners (2000)
- Når mor kommer hjem…/On Our Own (1998)
- Kaj’s fødselsdag/The Birthday Trip (1990)
Event details:
‘BAFTA David Lean Lecture: Lone Scherfig’
Monday 15 December 2014 at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London
19:00 Champagne Taittinger Reception
19:30 Event commences
Further Information:
For further information, please contact Kindred Agency…
- Elizabeth Hampson | T 0207 010 0839 | E [email protected]
- Hollie Rendall | T 020 7010 0829 | E [email protected]
For images, logos, accreditation, transcripts and more, visit www.bafta.org/press
