Bafta has awarded the $12,000 BAFTA-Yugo Short Film Commissioning Grant to Italian writer-producer Federica Belletti for her film Arya.
The commissioning grant supports a short film project about the wellbeing of people aged 15-25 and rounds off a year in which the organisation says it expanded its learning, inclusion and talent programmes in North America.
“We are committed to doing all we can to help remove the barriers that talented people from all walks of life face when entering and developing a career in our industry,” said Matthew Wiseman, executive director and head of North America.
“From grassroots programmes in local schools, to international student competitions, it is vital we create opportunities to inspire new voices and help shape the future of our industry.”
This year Bafta partnered with Los Angeles Unified School District to host a 10-week virtual internship programme, and welcomed 15 Los Angeles residents to its inaugural Vance Byrd Mentorship Program – a four-year initiative to support underserved students. The group also dispersed $117,000 in financial aid through scholarships in the US.
This year marks the fourth BAFTA-Yugo Short Film Commissioning Grant. Belletti’s winning film was selected by ta jury comprising: global brand and marketing director at Yugo Abby Bentley; filmmakers and founders of 271 Films Constanza and Doménica Castro; producer and co-founder of LatinX in Animation Bryan Dimas; producer and Bafta member Marianne Gray; VP of acquisitions and development at Film Mode Entertainment and Bafta member Lydia Ianni; 2020 commissioning grant recipient Mishal Mahmud; actor and Bafta member John Pirkis; director Rachel Raimist; actor Danny Ramirez; and TV writer and creator Taneka Stotts.
The Yugo BAFTA Student Awards in July celebrated films in categories including animation, documentary and live action, and the new games and immersive categories. Winners were selected from a record 715 submissions by students from film schools in 36 countries.
No comments yet