London, 12 September: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced the names of three Chinese students who will receive BAFTA scholarships this year to study film, games and television courses in the UK. In addition to financial aid, the BAFTA Scholars will gain free access to BAFTA events and receive one-to-one mentoring from BAFTA members, award-winners and nominees.

The scholarships support talented individuals in financial need, and aim to encourage cross-cultural collaboration. The three students join one BAFTA Scholar from China who BAFTA is supporting for a second year， eight British students studying in the UK, and 20 others from around the world who will study in the US awarded through BAFTA Los Angeles and BAFTA New York.

The new scholarship recipients will be welcomed at a reception at BAFTA’s headquarters, 195 Piccadilly, on Monday 17 September, attended by key industry figures and supporters.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “Over the years we have seen the BAFTA Scholarships programme evolve into a truly global initiative. Becoming a BAFTA scholar offers incredible opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration as well as giving this talented group of people every possible chance to succeed in the film, games and television industries.”

For more information on the BAFTA Scholarship Programme and this year’s Chinese scholars, please visit this page.

Chinese Scholars

• Sze Ying Chan: MComp in Composition for Screen at The Royal College of Music

Sze Ying Chan aged 24 from Hong Kong, is awarded £5,000 towards the MComp in Composition for the Screen at the Royal College of Music.

Sze Ying graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Music (B.A.), in 2017. She has composed and orchestrated music for several productions in Hong Kong and has also written music for occasions and cultural events.

Sze Ying said: “To be awarded a BAFTA Scholarship is a great encouragement to me in pursuing my dream. BAFTA does not only provide financial support but also valuable resources and mentorship that are otherwise difficult to get access to. It is a rare opportunity to meet, learn, and connect with people from the industry. What seemed very far away is now something reachable and it is because of BAFTA’s support that all of these can happen. It is truly an honour to be a BAFTA Scholar. “

• Tashi Gelek Jenne: MA in Documentary at Liverpool John Moores University

Tashi Gelek Jenne aged 25 from Qinghai Province, China, is awarded £15,000 towards course fees and living expenses for the MA in Documentary at Liverpool John Moores University.

Tashi Gelek has a Law degree from Lanzhou University, as well as a specialist applied English sub degree from Xi'an Eurasia University. Following his studies, he spent three years as a schoolteacher, while also making films in his spare time. 

Tashi Gelek said: “BAFTA is like a bridge that it helps me to across a swift river to my dream place! It’s such an honour to receive BAFTA scholarship. I am truly grateful that BAFTA supports students in their education and development in various ways! The scholarship means that I could become an independent documentary filmmaker telling diverse stories.”

• Xu He: MA in Games Design and Development at the National Film and Television School (NFTS)

Xu He, aged 31 from Beijing, is awarded £15,000 scholarship towards course fees and living expenses for the MA in Games Design and Development at the National Film and Television School.

As an independent game developer Xu has created titles such as Memory Detective and Cat Bounce. She has also worked in China for the companies Gamegou Ltd and Playcrab Inc.Xu previously studied Biotechnology at Beijing Forestry University and Psychology at Capital Normal University in Beijing.

Xu said: “Being awarded a BAFTA scholarship is really a great honour for me. It gives me great confidence and the power to realize my ambition to create impressive games that can influence the world. It not only means recognition of what I have done in the past but also trust of what I can do in the future. The financial support, the mentoring and the access to BAFTA events will all absolutely help a lot for my future study and career. I really appreciate all these.”

Chinese Scholar supported for a second year:

• Zhizi Hao : MA in Filmmaking, London Film School

24 from Hainan, Hao completed his undergraduate degree in Chinese Literature from Fudan University in 2014 before earning an MA in Film Studies from University College London, graduating in 2015. In June 2016, Hao joined the crew of blockbuster Chinese action film Wolf Warrior 2 as a third assistant director, gaining practical experience of filmmaking and working alongside director Wu Jing.

The BAFTA Scholarship Programme is made possible by the generous support of a number of individuals, foundations and partnerships.