In 2019, BAFTA welcomed 21 talented actors to Elevate, together they represent a range of abilities, genders, races, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Designed to support people from underrepresented groups in the screen industries progress their careers and encourage inclusion across the industries, over the past year the Elevate programme has included networking, introductions, mentoring, panel discussions, masterclasses and workshops focused on professional development.
Here are some of the things the 2019-20 cohort of actors have had to say about their Elevate experience:
“The one to ones have been truly inspirational, people I have admired for years who I saw as legends were put in rooms with me, to chat and develop genuine relationships.” Micky McGregor
“It’s been an incredible ride and such an honour to be picked by BAFTA to be part of Elevate. I’ve started professional relationships that, before, I could only have dreamt of.” Rhoda Ofori-Attah
‘For so long as a South Asian actress I felt like I was shouting into the void endlessly frustrated by the roles I was being offered but being part of BAFTA Elevate has given me the opportunity to meet so many other women who shared and validated my frustrations. There is definitely a shift in the industry and I feel like we are being heard.” Anjli Mohindra
“To get the BAFTA Elevate stamp of approval has been life-changing.” Saskia Chana
“It means the world to me to have been involved with Elevate. I’m a very happy Elevater.” Melissa Johns
“Elevate helped me to learn more skills as an actor, meet incredible writers, directors, producers and casting directors, get a brilliant agent help me achieve my dreams.” Tommy Jessop
