British Academy of Film and Television Arts
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA, /ˈbæftə/[1]) is an independent trade association and charity that supports, develops, and promotes the arts of film, television and video games in the United Kingdom. In addition to its annual award ceremonies, BAFTA has an international programme of learning events and initiatives offering access to talent through workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures, and mentoring schemes in the United Kingdom and the United States.
"BAFTA" redirects here. For other uses, see BAFTA (disambiguation).Abbreviation
BAFTA
16 April 1947 (as British Film Academy)
Trade association
Supporting, promotes and developing the art of film, television and video games
Piccadilly
London, W1J
United Kingdom
Approximately 6,500
English
The Prince of Wales (since 2010)
Krishnendu Majumdar
Jane Millichip
BAFTA's annual film awards ceremony, the British Academy Film Awards, has taken place since 1949, while their annual television awards ceremony, the British Academy Television Awards, has taken place since 1955. Their third ceremony, the British Academy Games Awards, were first presented in 2004.
Origins[edit]
BAFTA started out as the British Film Academy, founded in 1947 by a group of directors: David Lean, Alexander Korda, Roger Manvell, Laurence Olivier, Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, Michael Balcon, Carol Reed, and other major figures of the British film industry.[2][3]
David Lean was the founding chairman.[4] The first Film Awards ceremony took place in May 1949, honouring the films The Best Years of Our Lives, Odd Man Out and The World Is Rich.
The Guild of Television Producers and Directors was set up in 1953 with the first awards ceremony in October 1954, and in 1958 merged with the British Film Academy to form the Society of Film and Television Arts, whose inaugural meeting was held at Buckingham Palace[5] and presided over by the Duke of Edinburgh.
Royal connections[edit]
William, Prince of Wales has been the President of the Academy since February 2010.[33]
The Prince's appointment follows a long tradition of royal involvement with the academy.[34] Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the first president of the Society of Film and Television Arts (SFTA) in 1959 to 1965, followed by Earl Mountbatten of Burma and the Princess Royal, who was its president from 1972 to 2001. It was the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's generous donation of their share of profits from the film Royal Family that enabled the academy to move to its headquarters at 195 Piccadilly.[35] The Prince of Wales succeeded the Lord Attenborough to become the fifth President in the Academy's history.
BAFTA New York[edit]
BAFTA New York founded in 1996, recognises and promotes the achievements of British film and television in New York and all along the East Coast of the US.[44]
It hosts feature film, television and documentary screenings, panel discussions, premieres and co-produced events with other established organisations in the film and television industry, and runs an educational outreach program aimed at underserved youth in New York City that includes the BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program.
Controversy[edit]
On 26 October 2017, Norwegian actress Natassia Malthe accused Harvey Weinstein of raping her in a London hotel after the 2008 BAFTA Awards. On 2 February 2018, BAFTA formally terminated Weinstein's membership.[45]
On 29 March 2021, Noel Clarke received the BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award. This was suspended on 29 April 2021 following the publication of multiple and detailed accounts of sexual misconduct by The Guardian.[46] Clarke has denied all allegations, except one. Clarke said: "I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing." The allegations were made by twenty different women. BAFTA was informed about the existence of allegations of verbal abuse, bullying and sexual harassment against Clarke thirteen days before presenting Clarke with his award. BAFTA acknowledges it received anonymous emails and reports of allegations via intermediaries, but, as it was not given evidence that would allow it to investigate, was unable to take action.[47][48][49][50][51] In March 2022, the Metropolitan Police stated that Clarke would not face a criminal investigation due to a lack of evidence of any crimes having been committed.[52]