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Alison Barnett announced as recipient of the BAFTA Television Craft Special Award 2023

12 April 2023
Event: BAFTA Television Craft AwardsDate: Sunday 23 April 2023Venue: The Brewery, 52 Chiswell St, London, U.K.-Area:BAFTA/Rachell Smith
  • Alison Barnett is the first Head of Production to be awarded the prestigious accolade
  • The BAFTA Television Craft Awards will take place on 23 April 2023
  • Actor, comedian and TV presenter Mel Giedroyc to host for a second year

BAFTA today announces Alison Barnett as the recipient of this year's BAFTA Television Craft Special Award; one of the highest honours bestowed by the organisation. Recognised for her pioneering role as one of the very first female Head of Productions in the UK television industry, Alison Barnett is the first Head of Production to receive the award.

With a prolific career spanning forty years in the UK television industry, Alison Barnett is currently Head of Production at Kudos, one of the world’s leading production companies specialising in scripted content. Her television output spans more than 400 hours and she has been a vital part of more than 80 BAFTA-nominated shows as well as 14 winning productions.

Her own passion for the art-form emerged through an enviable roster of shows:  Doctor Who (1979), Blake’s Seven (1980), Grange Hill (1980-1981), All Creatures Great and Small (1983), Lipstick on Your Collar (1993), The Lakes (1999), Spooks (2003-2011), Bleak House (2005), Life on Mars (2006-2007) and Hustle (2005-2011). More recent Kudos hits have included Utopia (2013-2014), Grantchester (2014-2017), Broadchurch (2013-2017), SAS: Rogue Heroes (2022) and The Rig (2023).

Barnett’s career began in theatre and opera, having originally trained as a Stage Manager. In 1979 she joined the BBC’s television drama department as a floor assistant. In 1985, she went freelance – working as a line producer on shows such as Glasgow Kiss (1999 – 2000), Spooks (2002-2003) and Bleak House (2004). In September of 2005, she took up her current position at Kudos. Alongside, Barnett sits on Screenskill’s High-End TV Skills Council developing training programmes and partnerships, including 20 plus traineeships at Screenskills in departments varying from costume, sound, writing, editing, locations, producers, directors.

Alison Barnett, Head of Production at Kudos said: “I’m overwhelmed to receive this award from BAFTA. But mainly I’m delighted to receive it on behalf of all those unsung heroes who work in production offices throughout the television industry. This is a chance for them to be recognised today too.”

Jane Millichip, CEO at BAFTA said: "Alison Barnett is an exceptional Head of Production and a pioneer. Her portfolio is staggering in its volume, quality, and popular appeal. She is also an inspiring role model through her work in training and development. It is an absolute pleasure to announce this special award. We look forward to celebrating Alison and her ongoing, and impressive, influence on the UK television industry at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards ceremony later this month."

Previous recipients of this award include gateway organisation for deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent people in the arts, TripleC; joint founding directors of The Farm Group, Nicky Sargent & Vikki Dunn; script supervisor Emma Thomas; the production team behind Game of Thrones; prop-master Bobby Warans; and casting director Nina Gold.

This year’s BAFTA Television Craft Awards will return to The Brewery on Sunday 23 April and welcomes back actor, comedian, and TV presenter Mel Giedroyc as the ceremony host.

Mel Giedroyc said: “The BAFTA Craft Awards are one of my favourite highlights of the TV year. I’m thrilled to return as host, as the world of television comes together to recognise the amazing talent and work that goes on behind-the-scenes and off screen. Highlighting how important every role and every person is in the process of creating impactful and popular TV that the nation loves is important!”

BAFTA Television Craft Awards is supported by official partners its Mad Dog 2020 Casting, 3 Mills Studios, Hotcam, Microsoft, Sara Putt Associates, ScreenSkills High-end Television Skills Fund and Spotlight.

#BAFTACraftAwards

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For more information, please contact:

Multitude Media:

Charlotte Kershaw

E: [email protected]

M: 07969 959 037

 

Alice Le Maistre

E: [email protected]

M: 07932 230 308

 

BAFTA:

Dingile Kasote

E: [email protected]

 

Notes to Editors:

About BAFTA

BAFTA – the British Academy of Film and Television Arts - is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For more, visit www.bafta.org. BAFTA is a registered charity (no. 216726).