BAFTA to introduce five new competitive awards

BAFTA, the leading charity and academy for the screen arts, unveils the next phase of plans to profile the very best of films, games and television for children and families to global audiences across its awards ceremonies.

Three new categories celebrating children’s television and the talented people who bring the genre to life on-and-off screen will be introduced into next year’s BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises, and the BAFTA Television Craft Awards.

From iconic characters beloved by families around the world, to the developmental and educational theory underpinning high-quality children’s programming, the genre has sparked endless joy and creativity in the hearts and minds of younger audiences.

BAFTA’s high-profile sector awards ceremonies are broadcast to audiences globally and are among the most renowned in the world. The inclusion of categories celebrating children’s television, and as announced earlier this summer, children’s films and games, will enable the arts charity to bring the essential contributions of this creative community to even wider public attention. The new awards categories are:

Children’s Scripted Award

A new Children’s Scripted award will celebrate the very best scripted programmes such as drama and comedy. The scripted content can either be live action or animation.

Children’s Non-Scripted Award

The new Children’s Non-Scripted award will recognise live action and animated non-scripted content such as factual, factual entertainment, documentary and news.

Children’s Craft Team Award

A new Children’s Craft Team Award will enable the craft teams working in children’s scripted and unscripted programming behind-the-camera, to showcase their creative efforts and skill.

All three categories will focus on celebrating television for audiences aged 16 and under. The full BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises and Television Craft Awards rulebook and eligibility guidelines will be published on Thursday 26 September, when entries open.

As previously announced, a new Children and Family Film Award will feature in next year’s EE BAFTA Film Awards celebrating the very best of films appealing to inter-generational audiences, alongside a Family Award in the BAFTA Games Awards.

All five categories have been developed in consultation with sector peers and the recently formed cross-industry Young BAFTA Advisory Group, created to steer BAFTA’s year-round programmes for children and young people as well as its ongoing support for creatives and practitioners working in the children’s screen industries.

Additionally, the recipient of a BAFTA Special Award, one of the highest honours bestowed by the academy, will be unveiled next month, with a dedicated presentation to follow on 29 November 2024 at BAFTA’s HQ in Piccadilly, London. Across this same weekend, BAFTA will throw open its doors to young people, teachers and families as part of a Young BAFTA showcase to inspire budding creatives and help build their creative confidence – with special guests to be announced.

Sara Putt, BAFTA chair, said: “Film, games and television hold a magical, unique and vital place in our culture, and the children’s stories made for our screens are so often developed with immense skill, warmth and creativity. The inclusion of five new categories across our internationally renowned awards in Film, Games and TV will enable us to bring the very best of the screen arts to even wider audiences. Celebrating this essential creative community in all of our Awards Ceremonies also shines a light on our vital year-round work to inspire and nurture the next generation of talent. We are grateful for the generosity of time and expertise of the Young BAFTA Advisory Board, led by Andrew Miller, for their expert guidance as we begin this very exciting new chapter.”

Andrew Miller MBE, Chair of the Young BAFTA Advisory Group and BAFTA Trustee, said: “The children’s screen industries leads the way when it comes to diverse and educational storytelling, and it’s an important and essential talent pipeline – with British children’s screen characters beloved by families across the world. Many on and off-screen creatives and practitioners working across the sector owe their careers to children’s media, including me. I’m delighted the creators of trailblazing films, games and television will have their work seen and celebrated by audiences around the world through BAFTA’s high-profile awards ceremonies, bolstered by year-round industry support and a range of national initiatives to inspire the next generation. It’s an honour to help contribute to this essential and timely work.”

Inspiring the next generation is also an integral part of BAFTA’s charitable mission. Primary school roadshows in Scotland wrapped this week as part of BAFTA’s partnership with mental health charity Place2Be, whilst Tristan Thompson and Kara Gillespie were confirmed as the winners of BAFTA’s national Young Presenters competition. In November, BAFTA will open applications for the next cohort of Young Games Designers.

Earlier this year, Baroness Floella Benjamin OM, DBE, DL received the BAFTA Fellowship at the 2024 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises for her support of children and young people, her impact on television broadcasting, and for her championing of diversity.

Baroness Floella Benjamin said: “Making children feel confident, worthy and inspired through the window of imagination and helping them learn and explore the world within the safety of their home, is one of the greatest gifts that the screen industries can offer society. Childhood lasts a lifetime which is why I’ve made it my mission over fifty years and counting to fight for the wellbeing of children and this includes their right to high-quality, regulated television that contains all the essential elements for supporting their wellbeing, aiding their development and creativity in order to find their place in the world. The production of good quality television is under threat and children are becoming ever more exposed to a ‘wild west’ of online adult content which subtracts rather than adds to their overall happiness. I’m pleased to see BAFTA double down on their commitment to bring this vital part of the screen arts to public attention, alongside their work with schools, families and young people to inspire the industry of tomorrow. BAFTA, the new government, the industry’s gatekeepers and indeed everyone across the country – all have a role to play in giving children, unconditional love, joy and hope. They are our future.”