British Academy Film Awards

British Academy Film Awards
64th British Academy Film Awards
Awarded for The best in film
Country United Kingdom
First awarded 1947
Official website bafta.org

The British Academy Film Awards are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). It is the British counterpart of the Oscars.[1][2][3] As of 2008, it has taken place in the Royal Opera House, having taken over from the flagship Odeon cinema on Leicester Square. The 2011 Awards took place on 13 February 2011.

Contents

History

BAFTA was founded in 1947 as The British Film Academy, by David Lean, Alexander Korda, Carol Reed, Charles Laughton, Roger Manvell and others. In 1958, the Academy merged with The Guild of Television Producers and Directors to form The Society of Film and Television, which eventually became The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1976.

BAFTA's stated charitable remit is to "support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public". In addition to high profile awards ceremonies BAFTA runs a year-round programme of educational events including film screenings and tribute evenings. BAFTA is supported by a membership of around 6000 people from the film, television and video game industries.

The Academy's awards are in the form of a theatrical mask designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe, which was commissioned by the Guild of Television Producers in 1955.

Annual ceremony

The ceremony used to take place in April or May, but from 2002 onwards it takes place in February in order to precede the Oscars. The awards are mostly open to all nationalities, though there is an award for Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Producer or Director. The Short Film and Short Animation awards are also only for UK films.

The Awards ceremony is broadcast on British television, usually the day after it has taken place. It is mostly broadcast on BBC One.

Location

The most recent ceremony took place at the Royal Opera House, breaking tradition as it had previously taken place (since 2000) in the flagship Odeon cinema on Leicester Square.

British Academy Awards of Merit

Film
Crew

Retired awards

British Academy Special Awards

See also

References

External links