BAFTA has revealed the 20 documentary and specialist factual makers selected to join professional development programme BAFTA Elevate.
A jury led by Hilary Rosen, Chair of BAFTA’s Television Committee and UKTV, Director of Commissioning, selected 20 outstanding UK-based development producers, producers, directors and producer-directors. The individuals, who identify as minority ethnic, disabled and/or from low socio-economic backgrounds, will receive two years of invaluable support to accelerate their careers.
Now in its fifth edition, BAFTA Elevate is shifting its focus to documentary and specialist factual in response to industry consultations conducted by BAFTA. Research findings revealed a lack of opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups to progress to decision-maker roles.
BAFTA Elevate participants will receive a tailored programme of support that includes networking opportunities, masterclasses, workshops and panel discussions. Industry introductions will kickstart this evening as the cohort attend the dunhill Film Makers Dinner in celebration of BAFTA Elevate.
The 20 creatives taking part in the fifth edition of BAFTA Elevate are Ahmed Peerbux, Ali Naushahi, Ayse Toprak, Cara Bowen, Dhivya Kate Chetty, Eddie Hutton-Mills, Georgie Yukiko Donovan, Janette Hodds, Jemma Gander, Laura Gilbert, Liana Stewart, Margareta Szabo, Nacressa Swan, Poppy Jay, Rajesh Thind, Roxy Rezvany, Sarah Conner, Stephanie Wessell, Thomas Macnab and Vanessa Van-Yeboah.
Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: “Congratulations to the 20 brilliant practitioners selected for this year’s BAFTA Elevate talent programme, and a heartfelt thank you to our jurors, consultants, and our partner dunhill. It would simply not be possible to run programmes such as Elevate without partnership and the generous participation of industry advisers. Together, we are ensuring a future for documentary and specialist factual that is richer, fairer and more inclusive.”
Andrew Holmes, CEO ad interim of dunhill, said: “dunhill is immensely proud to support BAFTA Elevate, to help amplify voices from underrepresented backgrounds and develop the next generation of documentary and specialist factual changemakers. I am thrilled to congratulate the 20 talented individuals who have made it onto this year’s programme and welcome the cohort to our annual dunhill Film Makers dinner – a special moment to celebrate this incredible achievement and toast to their future success.”
Hilary Rosen, UKTV, Director of Commissioning and BAFTA Elevate Jury Chair, said: “This year’s applicants were outstanding, and we had to make some tough choices. The group has already created some eye-catching and impactful work and could not be more deserving of the support and championship that Elevate will provide. I look forward to seeing how these 20 talented individuals will shape the future of our industry.”
Harjeet Chhokar, Amazon MGM Studios, Unscripted Development Executive and BAFTA Elevate Consultant, said: “Documentary and specialist factual thrive on authenticity and uncovering untold stories. This is why it’s especially important to boost underrepresented voices in this area of the industry who can bring fresh perspectives and challenge how we see the world. This year’s cohort is truly exceptional—they’ve already achieved so much and have so much more to say. I’m thrilled to be working with them over the next two years as a BAFTA Elevate consultant, and to watch their journeys from here.”
The consultants for the fifth edition of BAFTA Elevate are (in alphabetical order):
- Harjeet Chhokar – Unscripted Development Executive, Amazon MGM Studios
- Milène Larsson – Executive Producer, BBC Eye
- Natasha Dack Ojumu – Co-Founder, Tigerlily Productions and Tigerlily Two
- Pat Younge – Founder, Skin In The Game Studios
- Shaminder Nahal – Head of Specialist Factual, Channel 4
To date, BAFTA Elevate has supported 74 practitioners from under-represented backgrounds to advance their careers. Recent participants include Ameenah Ayub Allen (Rocks), Barrington Paul Robinson (The Responder), Dominique Unsworth (Little English), and Bushra Siddiq (Dispatches) who sat on this year’s BAFTA Elevate jury.
Jon Creamer
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