Dunhill and BAFTA begin two-year partnership through BAFTA Elevate
Dunhill Press release: September 27, 2024 Dunhill and BAFTA begin two-year partnership through BAFTA Elevate Nursing the careers of creative talent working in documentaries and specialist factual programming ・BAFTA Elevate supports up to 20 underrepresented middle-senior producers and directors. The program is supported by award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, host/actor/director Reggie Yates, and advocacy organization We Are Doc Women. Dunhill’s support continues our long-standing relationship with the film industry, with a commitment to fostering inclusivity and equal opportunity. ・The application period is until October 18, 2024 (Friday). ・Eligible candidates will be announced at Dunhill’s annual Pre-BAFTA Dinner and Party in February 2025. London, 18 September 2024: BAFTA and Dunhill, the UK’s leading luxury men’s house, have teamed up with BAFTA Elevate, the leading talent program for arts charities, to create a documentary and expert fact-based We have announced that we will begin supporting up to 20 creators who will produce TV movies and feature films. Across feature film and television formats, this powerful storytelling has entertained us, broadened our worldviews, sparked debate and had profound social impact. However, research carried out by BAFTA reveals that opportunities for those involved in production may be reduced and the range of stories brought to screen may be reduced. Following these findings, BAFTA and Dunhill will begin recruiting from development producers and directors who are
underrepresented within the industry, including ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and people from disadvantaged social and economic backgrounds. . BAFTA taps into a unique community of 12,000 creative practitioners, supporting extensive knowledge building and intensive professional development over two years, as well as a range of networking and industry exposure. Jane Millichip, BAFTA CEO: “BAFTA’s mission is to level the playing field for people who face barriers and prejudice when pursuing a career in the film industry. Equality provides opportunity for the oppressed, encourages
underrepresented people to share their stories and enriches our cultural landscape. They share our commitment to fostering creativity and innovation, and we are deeply grateful for their support in making BAFTA Elevate possible.” Andrew Holmes, Dunhill Interim CEO: “Dunhill is proud to support the BAFTA Elevate program and is committed to leveling the playing field for those creating documentaries and specialist factual programming. Along with our commitment to championing diversity in the fashion industry, our support of BAFTA Elevate builds on our relationship with BAFTA. This is a natural next step in solidifying our shared values, and we are thrilled to be on this journey with them.” Dunhill’s relationship with the film industry goes back over a century. For decades, Hollywood stars from Frank Sinatra to Truman Capote have come to Dunhill for exquisite eveningwear, and their style continues to inspire collections today. . Dunhill’s annual BAFTA Pre-Dinner and Party celebrates the British film industry, bringing together emerging and established talent from on-screen and behind-the-scenes for a cultural exchange. activities and create connections with various communities. The BAFTA Elevate partnership solidifies Dunhill’s commitment to the film industry and inspires and transforms important change in the film industry. Over the past 18 months, BAFTA has hosted more than 40 consultations and masterclasses with BAFTA Award-winning directors, producers, commissioners, and heads of public broadcasters, independent production companies and streaming companies, and We concluded the following about the current state of traditional programming and where progress needs to be made. ・Social mobility and economic issues are obstacles to promotion. ・Budget pressures affect delegation of authority and awareness of risk-taking, favoring people with proven track records. – Systemic issues such as the lack of mechanisms and career paths to maintain a sustainable career. BAFTA Elevate was launched to address these findings. The program also includes award-winning feature documentary filmmaker Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna, 2073) and broadcaster Reggie Yates (Reggie Yates: Extreme Russia, Reggie Yates: Insider’), peer support networks, and advocacy group We Are Doc Women. Asif Kapadia (film director) “I have often felt left out in many situations, whether in the UK, in education or in the film industry.However, I have always viewed this as an advantage, speaking multiple languages and learning from different cultures and customs. I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel all over the world through my work, and I bring all of these experiences to bear in my work. We hope to provide agency, profile, and support to people who feel this sense of exclusion so that they can be outsiders and yet still be on the inside. Our experiences make us special and are our strengths. By leveraging our uniqueness to tell emotional stories, we may change the way people think and act. This is essential to the validity and success of documentary filmmaking. ” Reggie Yates (broadcast writer) “The most powerful documentaries are those that give us a peek into the lives, events and perspectives of people we don’t normally interact with. That’s why BAFTA and Dunhill have so much talent and great ideas. Regardless, it’s encouraging to support a new generation of voices held back by a lack of industry knowledge, connections, and confidence. Anna Shah’s Community Drama Club helped me launch my career. That’s why the support and guidance that initiatives like BAFTA Elevate provide resonates so deeply with me. They’re not only creating opportunities, they’re expanding
communities. I’m happy.” We Are Doc Women (advocacy organization) “It is unfortunate that there will still be a huge disparity in
opportunities for factual and documentary talent in 2024. This is highlighted by our research and will encourage broadcasters and production companies to This led to the 50/50 pledge to ensure half of our shows are directed by women. There are also significant barriers many talented women face that allow them to stay in the industry and develop their skills. I’m glad that BAFTA is shining a light on these persistent inequalities. New applications for the BAFTA Elevate program are accepted below. The entry deadline is 13:00 on Friday, October 18th. https://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent/bafta-elevate
documentaries, documentary series, and specialist factual programming for broadcast television and SVOD, based on advice from industry consultations. Additionally, at least half of the selected production team must be women. BAFTA recognizes documentaries and factuals in 21 categories across Film, Television, TV Craft, Camry and Scottish Awards, and celebrates their achievements through regular events and screenings. 2024 will be the fifth edition of BAFTA Elevate, which has so far helped a total of 74 underrated filmmakers advance their careers. Past participants include Amena Ayoub Allen (“Rocks”), Barrington Paul Robinson (“Reply”) and Dominic Unsworth (“Little English”). ABOUT BAFTA BAFTA’s mission as a charity is to support the creative and cultural importance of screen art, including film, games and television. BAFTA aims to foster learning and creativity by identifying and nurturing outstanding talent through awards ceremonies and a year-round program of talent initiatives and learning events, including masterclasses, lectures, scholarships and mentoring schemes in the UK and North America. It enables collaboration. Registered Charity (No. 216726) ABOUT DUNHILL Synonymous with craftsmanship and design, Dunhill is one of Britain’s leading men’s luxury houses, with a 130-year history. Boasting classicism and hedonism, trust and class, Dunhill offers a total lifestyle offering, from sophisticated tailoring and ready-to-wear to elegant leather goods, sophisticated gifts and hard luxury items. . Inheriting the pioneering spirit of our founder Alfred Dunhill, we draw on our unique traditions and rich archives to provide uncompromising quality that is timeless and trendy. From our founding in 1893 to today, innovation and contemporaneity have always been integral to Dunhill. Attention to detail, excellence, functionality and a personalized approach characterize this house. Britishness defines us and British style sets us apart.