- BAFTA President The Prince of Wales gave a speech at BAFTA’s HQ in Piccadilly, London on the importance of nurturing talent – with transcript below
- Actors Sheila Atim, Celia Imrie, Stephen Merchant, and Andy Serkis, and film director Paul Greengrass also in attendance
- Photography available via Press Association
Today, BAFTA President The Prince of Wales visited BAFTA’s HQ in Piccadilly, London as part of a special showcase of the next generation of film, games and television talent co-hosted with The Royal African Society.
The event saw His Royal Highness meet recipients of The Prince William BAFTA Bursary Fund, students from the National Film and Television School who have been supported by the Royal African Society, and donors and supporters of both charitable organisations.
BAFTA’s bursary programme supports aspiring creatives forging careers across a range of disciplines. Attendees included director of photography and camera operator Sabab Khan, production and development assistant Millie Morgan, researcher Seth Daood, writer and director Christine Ubochi, producer Ashionye Ogene and screenwriter Sarah Louise Madden.
His Royal Highness met award-winning film director Paul Greengrass, who gave the founding donation for the bursary fund, as well as actors Celia Imrie, Stephen Merchant and Andy Serkis, who are also supporters of the programme.
The Prince William BAFTA Bursary Fund was founded in 2021 to offer aspiring creative practitioners in entry-level positions vital grants to progress their career in film, games or television, covering essential costs such as specialist equipment, training and relocation costs. BAFTA also awards scholarships annually, with recipients to be announced later this year.
Earlier today, BAFTA chair Sara Putt held an in-conversation with 2023 BAFTA EE Rising Star nominee Sheila Atim, offering aspiring creatives in the room a host of practical tips for navigating the industry as freelancers, as well as reflecting on Sheila’s career to-date.
His Royal Highness also met with students who have been working with the Royal African Society on the upcoming Film Africa festival. This year will mark the 10th Film Africa festival which is the biggest African film heritage festival in Europe. The Prince heard about the importance of bringing African films to global audiences and helping aspiring filmmakers to showcase stories of underrepresented groups.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Transcript of the speech delivered by The Prince of Wales
Thank you, Jane.
It’s wonderful for me to be here to celebrate the work that BAFTA and the Royal African Society are doing to champion the arts and creativity.
The screen arts are such an important part of the fabric of our lives, allowing different voices and perspectives to be accessed and enjoyed in the comfort of our own homes.
That’s why, as you have heard today, it is so crucial that aspiring creative professionals – regardless of their background or circumstance – have a real opportunity to bring their ideas and stories to life.
As President of BAFTA, I am very proud to be involved with an organisation that is dedicated to breaking down barriers for the storytellers of the future.
As Jane mentioned, in 2021, the Prince William BAFTA Bursary Fund was launched to provide vital funding towards costs that might otherwise prevent talented individuals from being able to pursue careers in the industry.
To date, over 150 young people have been supported through the programme and have gone on to work in the film, games and television industries as production assistants, costume designers, writers, camera and sound trainees, game designers and many many more.
It’s fantastic to have met the latest cohorts today and hear about their ambitions for the future. I look forward to following your careers and seeing you become nominees and winners of BAFTA Awards in years to come!
Opening the door to the creative industries to as many young and talented individuals as possible, also includes working to ensure that young people are exposed to as wide a variety of voices and narratives as possible, as early as possible. And ensuring that young people from all backgrounds can see themselves reflected on screen.
For over 120 years, the Royal African Society of which I am proud to be Patron, has worked so hard to create opportunities for people to connect and celebrate a wide range of topics and ideas about Africa.
This includes hosting events like the Film Africa festival – of which you have just seen a snapshot – helping to provide an invaluable platform for people in the UK to access the brilliant creativity of African and African-heritage film makers.
Through its Festival partnerships with organisations like the BFI and National Film & Television School, the Royal African Society works to ensure that the next generation of film programmers gain an appreciation and knowledge of African cinema.
This year’s event marks the eleventh festival, showcasing over 70 films – from Morocco to Madagascar, Sierra Leone to Senegal – and it is clear that African cinema really is flourishing.
But I know that this important work delivered by both BAFTA and the Royal African Society would not be possible without the support of many of you in this room.
Whether that is sharing your own experiences to help the younger generation succeed in their sector, or providing the funding to support the next generation of talent. I am delighted to see so many of you here and am hugely grateful for your support.
I will stop there as I hear lunch is on the cards! But thank you again for curating such an interesting and worthwhile event. Let’s hope we have many more.
Photography from the day is available via Press Association
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