London, 24 September: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Creative Skillset have today announced the first three speakers in the BAFTA Creative Skillset Guest Lecture Programme for the 2014/15 academic year. The series of lectures will see some of the UK’s leading craftspeople in film, television and games share their knowledge and expertise with students on Creative Skillset accredited courses across the UK.

The lecture programme starts today (Wednesday 24 September) with BAFTA-winning screenwriter Jeff Pope (_Philomena,_ _Cilla_), at the University of Sunderland. On Wednesday 15 October, BAFTA-winning producer James Gay-Rees (_Exit Through the Gift Shop,_ _Senna_) will give a lecture on factual production to the University of the West of Scotland (Ayr Campus), and on Thursday 23 October Will Cohen, founder-owner of BAFTA-winning visual effects facility Milk (_Doctor Who,_ _Sherlock_) will discuss visual effects production at the University of Bradford.

The BAFTA Creative Skillset Guest Lecture Programme emphasises the importance of developing creativity alongside business and technical skills. Each lecture is tailored to the university’s needs and is given by BAFTA-winning talent. Previous lectures at universities across the country have been delivered by: six-time BAFTA-nominated hair and make-up designer Ivana Primorac (_Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,_ _Anna Karenina_); BAFTA-nominated editor Úna Ní Dhonghaíle (_Ripper Street,_ _The Tunnel_); BAFTA-winning screenwriter Neil McKay (_Appropriate Adult,_ _Mo_); Siobhan Reddy, studio director at the BAFTA-winning games studio Media Molecule (_Little Big Planet_); and BAFTA-winning director of photography Rob Hardy (_The Invisible Woman,_ _Shadow Dancer_).

Tim Hunter, Director of Learning and Events at BAFTA, said: “We are very pleased to announce these three exceptional speakers to kick-off the BAFTA Creative Skillset Guest Lecture Programme for the latest academic year. This initiative seeks to inspire and equip the talent of tomorrow by drawing on BAFTA’s unique bank of expertise in film, television and games; we hope students across the country will really benefit from this programme and gain valuable insight into their craft areas.”

Kate O’Connor, Executive Director of Creative Skillset, said: “The calibre of guest speakers for the next round of Creative Skillset accredited Tick courses is really impressive, as is the fact that they are donating their time and considerable expertise to help the next generation build their careers. We are delighted by BAFTA’s continued support for all the accredited courses, including providing scholarships, that continue to make them a success. We couldn’t have hoped for better partners in our endeavour to provide industry-backed courses, helping to ensure future growth and skills base for the UK.”


!Further Information

For further information, please contact:

Daisy Jestico / Hollie Rendall at Kindred Agency
Tel: 020 7010 0834 / 020 7010 0829
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]


About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts 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 Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, lectures, scholarships 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. For further information, visit http and www.bafta.org/guru.

About Creative Skillset

Creative Skillset empowers the Creative Industries to develop skills and talent; we do this by influencing and shaping policy, ensuring quality and by securing the vital investment for individuals to become the best in their field and for businesses to grow. As the industry skills body for the Creative Industries, we work across film, television, radio, animation, visual effects, games, fashion, textiles, advertising, marketing communications and publishing.