British Academy of Film and Television Arts ventures into India with ‘Breakthrough Initiative’

MUMBAI:

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) on Monday announced its Breakthrough Initiative which will identify, celebrate, and support up to five talents working in film, games, or TV in India.

The flagship new talent initiative is part of BAFTA’s year-round work to support new talent, operating alongside their awards ceremonies worldwide.

According to a press statement, BAFTA Breakthrough India will help facilitate the development of relationships between British talent and India’s homegrown creatives. The initiative is supported by Netflix.

India is one of the most prolific and accomplished industries and a fascinating centre for the screen arts with lots of creative diversity, which extends far beyond the world-famous ‘Bollywood’.

“Some of the best practitioners in the world work in Indian film, games, and television and practitioners from around the world have much to learn from them,” Tim Hunter, Director of Learning and New Talent, BAFTA, said in a statement.

Participants will be selected by a jury and will be offered a year-long support programme from BAFTA and be showcased across India and the UK.

They will also receive one-to-one mentoring, guidance sessions, global networking opportunities, free access to BAFTA events and screenings for 12 months, and full voting BAFTA membership as part of Breakthrough.

Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content, Netflix India said the streaming giant shares BAFTA’s vision of providing “breakthrough opportunities to emerging talent”.

A series of craft master classes will support the Breakthrough programme, which will feature British and Indian talent sharing their expertise and insights with audiences across India and the UK. (PTI)