BAFTA/Jonathan Birch British nationals in financial need can study film, television or games in the UK, mainland China or Hong Kong
> Looking to apply? Visit our Scholarships page
BAFTA has today opened applications to the BAFTA Scholarship Programmes in the UK and China, which enable talented British citizens, who are in need of financial support, to take an industry-recognised course in film, television or games in either country. Applications for the 2017-18 academic year open today.
The scholarships are part of BAFTA’s charitable activity to support talented people at all stages of their career in film, television or games, regardless of their background or circumstances. The scholarships in China additionally aim to encourage cross-cultural exchange between UK and Chinese nationals.
For UK courses, each British BAFTA Scholar will receive up to £12,000 towards their annual tuition fees, as well as mentoring support from a BAFTA member, and free access to BAFTA events around the country. Those studying as overseas students in mainland China or Hong Kong will receive up to £10,000 towards their tuition fees, a bursary of up to £10,000 towards living expenses, and mentoring support from a local industry professional. In return, the scholarship recipients share their learning experiences on BAFTA Guru (www.bafta.org/guru), BAFTA’s online learning resource, and participate in BAFTA outreach to young people.
Previous BAFTA Scholars have gone on to work on BAFTA-recognised productions: This year Eloise Tomlinson was VFX Supervisor on BAFTA-winning short animation A Love Story; in 2015 animation director Daisy Jacobs won a BAFTA and was Oscar-nominated with her graduation film The Bigger Picture; and in 2016 cinematographers Ian Forbes and Steven Ferguson both worked on BAFTA-nominated short films, with Ian Forbes the DoP on the British Short Animation winner, Edmond.
For a fifth year, three individuals studying in the UK will each receive one of the Prince William Scholarships in Film, Television and Games, supported by BAFTA and Warner Bros. These scholarships, an integral element of Warner Bros. Creative Talent – Warner Bros.’ investment in UK creative industries’ skills and training – are awarded in the name of HRH The Duke of Cambridge in his role as President of BAFTA. The recipients will have their fees funded by Warner Bros. and will additionally receive a short funded work placement within the Warner Bros. group of companies, access to a Warner Bros. mentor, and invitations to a series of industry masterclasses.
Sara Putt, Chair of BAFTA’s Learning and New Talent Committee, said: “Over the years I’ve been struck by just how much the BAFTA Scholarships mean to the recipients, not only financially, but also as a means of helping them navigate their way in our industries, where personal relationships and building an effective network play such an important role in achieving success. BAFTA Scholars are supported to build relationships with leading industry figures and to network with their peers in the UK, the US and now also in China. We encourage anyone with a talent, whatever their background or circumstances, to apply.”
Josh Berger CBE, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland & Spain, said: “We are very proud to be supporting the next generation of excellence and innovation within the creative industry through this important partnership with BAFTA. We’ve already seen our scholars work on a number of our biggest productions and it is inspiring to see them now forging their own careers, with their work garnering critical acclaim and festival screenings.”
The BAFTA Scholarship Programme has been made possible by the generous support of the Academy Circle, individual donors and Warner Bros.
The programme in the UK is part of BAFTA’s wider global scholarship activity, which includes scholarships for British nationals to study in China and vice versa.
BAFTA Los Angeles has an active Scholarship Program that includes the Pigott/BAFTA Scholarship, offering financial support and mentorship to British graduate students studying in the US, as well as scholarships to provide financial aid to local LA students from the inner city. Applications for the BAFTA Los Angeles Scholarship Program close today (Wednesday 15 March).
The BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program supports students pursuing media studies at graduate level institutions within the New York City area. Former BAFTA New York Chair, Charles Tremayne and his wife Caroline Grist recently supported a new three year $5,000 annual scholarship – the BAFTA New York Documentary Scholarship in Honor of John F. Grist. BAFTA New York has also recently instituted the BAFTA New York Woman of Her Word Disabilities Scholarship, which is specifically reserved for a student with a disability, and is awarded through the support of Michele Spitz of Woman of Her Word.
For more information about BAFTA scholarships: http://bit.ly/BAFTAGlobalScholarships.
Note to Editors:
In 2016, the fifth year of the BAFTA Scholarship Programme in the UK, the 12 new scholarship recipients were matched with industry professionals, including BAFTA-winners and nominees, for mentoring support. The BAFTA mentors include: Writer Sam Bain (Peep Show, Fresh Meat), producer Tim Bevan (The Theory of Everything, Les Misérables), supervising sound editor Colin Chapman (Downton Abbey, Silk), production designer Maria Djurkovic (The Imitation Game, actor Shaun Dooley (Broadchurch, DCI Banks), writer Tony Grisoni (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Southcliffe), visual effects supervisor Hayden Jones (Les Misérables, Mission: Impossible II), actor Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders, Penny Dreadful), actor Billie Piper (Doctor Who, Penny Dreadful), DoP Kate Reid (Call the Midwife, Uncle) and music supervisor Maggie Rodford (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Cinderella), sound recordist Alastair Widgery (Detectorists, Inside No. 9). For a full list of 2016 scholars, go to:
http://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent/scholarships/scholarships-2016
For the first time in 2016-17, two BAFTA Scholars from China are being supported by BAFTA mentors during their studies in the UK: Production designer Eve Stewart (The King’s Speech, Les Misérables) and producer Sarah Howitt (Chinese School, Lost Kingdoms of Africa). For more information about the BAFTA Scholars from China, go to: http://www.bafta.org/asia/features/meet-our-new-bafta-scholars
For further information, please contact:
Eleanor Pickering
T: +44 (0)20 7292 5863
E: [email protected]
For photography, logos and more, visit www.bafta.org/media-centre
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 programme of learning events and initiatives – featuring workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes – in the UK, USA and Asia; it offers unique access to the world’s most inspiring talent and connects with a global audience of all ages and backgrounds. 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, television and games production, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.
