London, 15 June: Acclaimed writer, producer and director Armando Iannucci will deliver this year’s BAFTA Annual Television Lecture, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced today. The creative force behind BAFTA Award-winning comedies _The Thick of It_ and _I’m Alan Partridge_ will be giving his views on the creative landscape in television on Monday 10 September.

The BAFTA Annual Television Lecture is the highlight of BAFTA’s public programme of television events. Each year, BAFTA invites one of TV’s foremost figures to give their personal view on creative excellence in television and their vision for the future. Previous speakers include Stephen Fry, Paul Abbott, Lorraine Heggessey, Kevin Lygo, Alan Yentob and Peter Bennett-Jones.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “Armando’s work has received BAFTA recognition across film, television and – with a smartphone app to his name – new media. The Annual Television Lecture is one of the most important events in our calendar, providing our industries’ most talented practitioners a platform to address their peers and the public alike. Now, with our BAFTA Guru website – the home of hundreds of inspirational Q&As, lectures and masterclasses – we’ll be looking forward to sharing this event even wider.”

Glagow-born Iannucci began his career in comedy at BBC Scotland then BBC Radio 4, where he wrote and produced Knowing Me, Knowing You, which introduced the world to Alan Partridge and transferred to television in 1994 as the BAFTA-nominated _Knowing Me, Knowing You_ with Alan Partridge. Iannucci was awarded his first British Academy Television Award in 1998 for Best Situation Comedy (Programme or Series) for a further incarnation of the character in _I’m Alan Partridge_.

Since the early nineties, Iannucci’s numerous television credits include writer and producer on the satirical show _The Day Today_, writer and performer on the _Armistice_ review series for BBC2, as well _The Armando Iannucci Shows_ for Channel 4. He was executive producer of the first series of _Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle_ and is a regular guest panellist on _Have I Got News For You_.

Iannucci writes, produces and directs the political satire _The Thick of It_, which was awarded the British Academy Television Award for Situation Comedy in both 2006 and 2010. Iannucci was also honoured for his role as Writer on The Thick of It at the British Academy Television Craft Awards in 2010. The series also spawned a new media project _Malcolm Tucker: The Missing Phone_, for which Iannucci was nominated for a further BAFTA at the British Academy Television Awards in 2011.

In recent years Iannucci has expanded into film with In the Loop, which picked up two nominations at the British Academy Film Awards in 2010. His latest television project is the HBO comedy _Veep_, which explores the inner workings of American politics. Veep will be broadcast on Sky Atlantic this summer.

The BAFTA Annual Television Lecture takes place on Monday 10 September at BAFTA’s headquarters in London. Public tickets for the lecture will be available from July at www.bafta.org. A recording will be available after the event on BAFTA Guru (www.bafta.org/guru).

Armando Iannucci will also be taking part in a Q&A following a preview screening of the first episode of Veep at BAFTA on Wednesday 20 June.


BAFTA Awards and Nominations for Armando Iannucci:

British Academy Television Awards – winner
2010 – Situation Comedy for The Thick of It
2006 – Situation Comedy for The Thick of It¹
1998 – Best Comedy (Programme or Series) for I’m Alan Partridge

British Academy Television Awards – nominated
2011 – New Media for Malcolm Tucker: The Missing Phone
2008 – Situation Comedy for The Thick of It¹
1995 – Television Best Light Entertainment (Programme or Series) for Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge

British Academy Television Craft Awards – nominated
2010 – Writer for The Thick of It²

British Academy Film Awards – nominated
2010 – Adapted Screenplay for In The Loop
2010 – Outstanding British Film for In The Loop

BAFTA Scotland Awards – winner
2009 – Directing in Film/Television
2009 – Writing in Film/Television

¹ Presented to ‘Production Team’ where Armando Iannucci is a named representative
² Presented to ‘Writing Team’ where Armando Iannucci is a named representative

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For further information, please contact:

Elizabeth Porter
Tel: 020 7010 0851
Email: [email protected]

Hollie Rendall
Tel: 020 7010 0829
Email: [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 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 www.bafta.org and www.bafta.org/guru.


Armando Iannucci BAFTA Press Release (Word) (77 KB)
Armando Iannucci BAFTA Press Release (PDF) (133.4 KB)