BAFTA NEW YORK MEDIA SCHOLARSHIPS 1
ABOUT BAFTA The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) supports, promotes and develops the art of the moving image film, television and games by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and by identifying and rewarding excellence, and inspiring practitioners. BAFTA has 6,500 international members. Membership is both highly sought after and selective. Based in London, BAFTA has branches in New York, Los Angeles, Scotland and Wales. 2
ABOUT BAFTA NEW YORK Founded in 1995, BAFTA New York carries the Academy s mission of excellence forward through its commitment to recognition and promotion of the achievements of the British film and television industry in New York and beyond. An extensive roster of feature film, television and documentary screenings, panel discussions, premieres, and co-produced events with other established organizations in the film and television industry have propelled BAFTA New York through two decades of increasingly ambitious activities including TimesTalks, In Conversation and our Annual BAFTA Film Awards Viewing Party with a live satellite feed from London to New York. In addition, BAFTA New York s outreach is aimed at underserved youth in New York City and includes the BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program, which was established to support students pursuing media studies at and graduate level institutions within the New York City area. BAFTA New York is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation and relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing work. 3
BAFTA NEW YORK MEDIA STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) supports, develops and promotes the art of the moving image - film, television and interactive media - by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. BAFTA New York represents 700 New Yorkbased members, as well as the full 6,500 Academy Membership worldwide. BAFTA New York s Media Studies Scholarship Program is one of the cornerstones of BAFTA s Give Something Back initiative providing an important link between the entertainment industry and educational organizations. The BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program launched in the fall of 2012 with four scholarships to undergraduates enrolled in the Film & Media Studies Department of Hunter College. Over the past four years the program has grown to also include MFA students at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, MFA students in the Department of TV and Radio at Brooklyn College as well as Brooklyn College's Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema and MFA students in the Film Department of City College of New York. Being a part of the BAFTA community in general has refueled my desire to achieve. Right off the bat, BAFTA s financial support helped me pay for tuition and a laptop which allows me to write, edit, and keep track of my ongoing film projects. But this scholarship has been more than just financial support. The opportunities to go to events and to network are amazing. BAFTA New York Scholarship Recipient 4
NETWORKING AND MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES BAFTA New York views the scholarship as more than financial support. We also seek to encourage a strong relationship with the scholars and their partners and truly welcome them to the BAFTA New York family to ensure they are able to use the various networking occasions presented by BAFTA New York. Students have opportunities to meet with mentors from BAFTA New York members and partners. While the monetary reward of the scholarship has, without question, been a huge help, the prestige of having BAFTA s name listed on my resume is the best reward. Additionally, I was able to attend three BAFTA film screenings with Q&A s. How often do you get to hear Dame Helen Mirren, Kathryn Bigelow, or Dustin Hoffman talk about their work, live and in person? BAFTA New York Scholarship Recipient 5
THE SCHOLARSHIPS All scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and merit with an emphasis on diversity. BAFTA New York currently supports eight students and works together with the universities to select the best and most deserving scholars. University faculty and administration recommend a short list of outstanding film and media students who then submit biographies, personal essays, and available work samples to be reviewed by the BAFTA New York Educational Outreach Committee. Scholarship grants are for $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000. Because of the BAFTA Scholarship that I received, I am able to attend college and pursue a film degree. BAFTA New York Scholarship Recipient 6
OUR PARTNERS Over the years, partners have included: A+E Networks AMC Networks BAFTA New York in honor of Don & Eleanor Taffner BBC America Cinedigm DLT Entertainment Discovery Communications DreamWorks Animation HBO Vibrant TV Walkers Shortbread Woman of Her Word These generous contributors have allowed BAFTA New York to engage with an up-and-coming generation of film and media professionals and to advance their academic opportunities and careers. 7
PARTNER BENEFITS We welcome new partners to help build on the success of this program. The insight, experience and financial support from additional media companies, corporations and individual partners to fund further scholarships are essential to nurture these talented young scholars. We are extremely grateful to all our partners who have helped make this program such a resounding success. These are additional benefits we offer in appreciation of your support: Acknowledgement on BAFTA New York s website with your logo and link to your respective website. Opportunities to meet, nurture, support and develop talent within the moving image industries. Invitations to special BAFTA New York events throughout the year. 8
THE SELECTION PROCESS The selection process begins in early Spring in order to award the scholarships for the upcoming Fall semester. The following are eligible: BROOKLYN COLLEGE MFA candidates from the Department of TV and Radio, and the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema are eligible CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK MFA candidates from the Film Department are eligible NYU TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Film/Media graduate school students in their third year of study are eligible. 9
BAFTA NEW YORK Please visit our website www.bafta.org/newyork For additional information on the BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program, please contact us at: edoutreachny@bafta.org This scholarship, this honor has given me confidence, adrenaline and inspiration to make something I can be proud of. BAFTA New York Scholarship Recipient 10