BAFTA has announced the latest cohort and focus area for its BAFTA Elevate initiative.
An esteemed jury of industry experts including Sara Putt, Annabel Jones and Marcus Ryder selected 20 of the UK’s most promising producers, across scripted and non-scripted disciplines, who identify as disabled, from minority ethnic and low-socioeconomic backgrounds, to receive invaluable support that will aid the progression of their careers in the film and television industries.
Now in its fourth iteration, Elevate participants will now receive 24 months of support including networking opportunities, introductions, tailored panel discussions, masterclasses and workshops focused on professional development. Elevate is part of BAFTA’s commitment to supporting talented individuals from under-represented groups access and progress careers in film, games and television.
Mariayah Kaderbhai, head of programmes at BAFTA, said: “We are so pleased that this incredible cohort for BAFTA Elevate 2022 will be the first to receive two years of bespoke industry support and guidance. This was a decision based on the research that we undertook to gain a better understanding of what underrepresented producers in the UK need in order to succeed. Since 2017, Elevate has highlighted BAFTA’s continued commitment to breaking down barriers and championing talent within the creative arts. We know there is still a long way to go but as an arts charity we will always strive to support and spotlight talent from all backgrounds. Elevate will provide a platform for this talented group to showcase their skills as well as the chance to succeed within the industry with support of peers from BAFTA’s wider global community.”
Annabel Jones, Broke & Bones, executive producer and BAFTA Elevate juror, said: “We were blown away by the quality of applicants across scripted and non-scripted content for the BAFTA Elevate initiative. Industry programmes play an important role in supporting, inspiring and celebrating talent, not just at the start of their career, but at those ever important midway points when sometimes barriers can be greater and opportunities fewer. A huge congratulations to this year’s cohort, we are excited to see how their careers blossom as a result.”
Marcus Ryder, Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, campaigner and BAFTA Elevate juror said: “It’s both fantastic and sobering that we were able to find so many great producers who feel they will benefit from the support of BAFTA Elevate. The quality and number of applicants highlights the need for industry-led initiatives such as these to address serious obstacles faced by underrepresented groups. It is my sincere hope that BAFTA Elevate will help all twenty successful applicants to break glass ceilings and make our industry more inclusive – while at the same time we all work to address structural problems in our industry that will one day make these types of initiatives unnecessary”.
The producers participating in BAFTA Elevate 2022–24 are the following: (in alphabetical order):
- Alexander Newland
- Ameenah Ayub Allen
- Ashleigh Ashley
- Barrington Paul Robinson
- Bushra Siddiq
- David Chikwe
- Dominique Unsworth
- Dominique Webb
- Emily Everdee
- Farrah Solim
- Fi Lewis
- Gina Lyons
- Janet Chute
- Jessi Gutch
- Kevin Muyolo
- Nelson Adeosun
- Shantelle Rochester
- Sofia Martin
- Sunita Mirchandani Hyams
- Tobi Kyeremateng
Additionally, BAFTA Elevate works with industry consultants who support the cohort and programme throughout. These practitioners, themselves from underrepresented groups, have and continue to work on driving inclusion and bolstering talent. They will act as industry guides, mentors and advocates. This year, they include:
- Christiana Ebohon-Green – Director, Elevate Cohort 2017
- Farah Abushwesha – Producer and Founder of BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competitions
- Nic McNeilis – Talent Executive, Lime Pictures
- Sarah Asante – Commissioning Editor, Comedy, UKTV
- Stephen Lee – VP EMEA Brand & Portfolio Strategy & Innovation, Warner Bros. Discovery
- Yaw Basoah – Producer, Dark Pictures
Elevate has advocated for more than 50 talented practitioners, including actors Amir ElMasry (Limbo), Anjli Mohindra (Bodyguard), Tommy Jessop (Line of Duty), writers Suhayla El-Bushra, Rachel De-Lahay, Tahsin Guner and directors, Christiana Ebohon-Green, Lisa Clarke and Lindy Heymann. Previous Elevate alumni have gone on to flourish within their respective disciplines, and build a career path that they want.
