BAFTA and dunhill launch two-year partnership through BAFTA Elevate

BAFTA and dunhill, the foremost British luxury menswear House are partnering on the arts charity’s flagship talent programme BAFTA Elevate, to accelerate the careers of up to 20 mid-senior level creatives making documentary and specialist factual television and feature films.

Across a range of feature film and television formats, this powerful form of storytelling entertains, widens our world view, sparks debate and can have huge social impact. Yet, qualitative research conducted by BAFTA reveals a narrowing of opportunity that risks diminishing the range of stories brought to our screens and those who get to deliver them.

Designed in response to these findings, BAFTA and dunhill today issue a call out for applications from development producers, producers, directors and producer-directors from underrepresented groups within the industry including those from minority ethnic, disabled and/or low socio-economic backgrounds. Tapping into BAFTA’s unique community of 12,000 creative practitioners, BAFTA will offer networking and industry exposure alongside a host of wider knowledge building and focused professional development over two years.

Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: “BAFTA has a mission to level the playing for those in society who face barriers and bias in pursuit of a career in the screen industries. BAFTA Elevate provides opportunity for the voices held back by inequality and encourages people from underrepresented groups to share their stories, and in so doing, enrich our cultural landscape. dunhill shares our commitment to foster British creativity and innovation and we are grateful for their generous support which has made BAFTA Elevate possible.”

Andrew Holmes, CEO ad interim of dunhill, said: “It is a privilege for dunhill to support the BAFTA Elevate programme, a commitment to levelling the playing field for those working in documentary and specialist factual television. The House has a proud and longstanding connection to British filmmaking and screen culture, alongside initiatives that champion diversity within the workplace and wider fashion industry. Supporting BAFTA Elevate is a natural next step in evolving our relationship with BAFTA and uniting our shared values – we’re very excited to be part of the journey.”

Intrinsic to the House’s DNA, dunhill’s association with the screen industries dates back over a century. From Frank Sinatra to Truman Capote, for decades Hollywood stars have come to dunhill for exquisite eveningwear and continue to be a source of inspiration for collections today. The annual dunhill Pre-BAFTA dinner and party celebrates the British film industry, bringing together both emerging and established talent from on screen and behind the scenes, driving cultural dialogue and creating community and connection. The BAFTA Elevate partnership solidifies dunhill’s commitment to the industry and galvanising important change within the sector.

Over the last eighteen months, BAFTA has held over 40 consultations, roundtables and masterclasses with BAFTA award-winning directors, producers, commissioners and heads of departments at public service broadcasters, independent production companies and streamers on the state of documentary and factual programme-making today, and where progress is needed, revealing:

• The impact of social mobility and lack of financial privilege as a barrier to progression,
• The effect of budgetary pressures on commissioning decisions and risk-taking, resulting in a favouring of tried and tested talent,
• Systemic challenges, including the absence of formal structures and career pathways, of maintaining sustainable careers.

BAFTA Elevate has been tailored to address these findings. The programme is backed by leading industry figures including award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna, 2073), broadcaster, actor and presenter Reggie Yates (Reggie Yates: Extreme Russia, Reggie Yates: Insider), and peer support network and advocacy organisation We Are Doc Women.

Asif Kapadia, said: “In many ways I have often felt like an outsider within the UK, within education, within the film industry. But I always tried to use this as an advantage, I speak more than one language, I have grown up with an understanding and respect of different cultures, customs, faiths, ways of thinking. Through my work I been fortunate to travel the world. I use all this experience in my work. I hope BAFTA Elevate can give people with stories like mine the agency, profile and backing to be an outsider but be on the inside – our experience makes us special, that’s our superpower. To use what makes us unique to tell stories which emotionally engage, and maybe change the way people think and behave. It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s integral to the relevance and success of documentary filmmaking.”

Reggie Yates, said: “The most powerful documentaries are those that offer a window into the lives of people, events, and perspectives we might not have connected with otherwise – we need different voices and fresh perspectives so we’re not just recycling the same old stories. That’s why it’s heartening to see BAFTA and Dunhill throw their weight behind a new generation of underrepresented voices in the documentary sector who despite their talents and their brilliant ideas are being held back by a lack of insider knowledge, industry connections and confidence. Anna Scher’s community drama club helped me start my career, which is why the support and mentorship provided by initiatives like BAFTA Elevate resonates so strongly. They’re not just creating opportunities, they’re widening the community, and that’s something I’m genuinely excited about.”

We Are Doc Women, said: “It’s disappointing that in 2024 there are still significant disparities in factual and documentary talent opportunities – as highlighted in our own research, which led to our 50/50 pledge calling on broadcasters and production companies to ensure half of their factual programmes are directed by women. And there are also huge intersectional barriers that many talented women face, making it even harder for a lot of us to stay in the industry, hone our skills and develop our ideas. We are pleased to see BAFTA shine a light on these persistent inequities and we’ll be encouraging our community to apply.”