Krishnendu Majumdar, Bafta’s new chairman, has written a letter to the organisation’s entire 9,000-strong membership, with the promise “change is coming” following a wide-ranging review into the lack of diversity and representation at the Bafta awards.
Key findings and themes are now being reviewed by the University of Glasgow and will then be discussed by the Bafta board, with the full report to be published later this month. They will be followed by a series of town hall meetings with members.
Majumdar described the more than 50 meetings with individuals from under-represented groups, representative and advocacy organisations as well as distributors, agencies and media as ”frank, challenging, inspirational and often emotional”.
”In several meetings I broke down and wept, as I heard some of the stories of how some people had been treated by the industry,” Majumdar admitted. ”The collective grief was overwhelming and a strong picture emerged of the lost generation of people of colour – careers and lives blighted by racism. We heard similar evidence from many other under-represented groups who have been excluded by the industry – including female directors, LGBTQI+ and disabled creatives. But it’s not only emotion that drives us on to change. Real change comes from evidence, testimony and hard data.
”We hope [the review] will produce meaningful and sustainable progress in the short and long term and help us track a path towards a more inclusive and diverse awards and wider industry,” he continued. “Taken as a whole, we hope that the review findings will usher in real structural and cultural change for the Academy.”
He pointed out that “what started as a review into the Awards very quickly became a litmus test of where we are as an Academy. The Awards represent our values, they speak to who we are and what we value in the industry. We cannot afford to ignore certain sections of society. The Review has examined the details on many issues that affect the judging process and the question of who can become a BAFTA member. We debated ‘Britishness’ in our awards, what it actually means to be a BAFTA member in 2020 and our responsibilities and duties to the Academy.”
”This is an opportunity for a creative renewal,” he continued. “Over the next few months we’ll be conducting a series of town hall meetings and events to discuss these issues with members. We see this Review as being only the start of changes we plan to make over the next few years and not an end point.”
Older members
Majumdar’s letter also revealed some long-standing members had expressed concerns about the changes being discussed ”This makes them feel unsure of their place within the Academy,” he said. “They are concerned that, as a charity, we shouldn’t stray into political territory by explicitly responding to Black Lives Matter. I have listened and appreciate these concerns, but I want to make it clear we are not supporting any particular political party or organisation. This is our response to a long overdue global movement. Recent seismic events have fundamentally changed our world. This is a genuine cultural shift, not a blip. As a charity, the changes we are undertaking are crucial to safeguard our future and remain relevant.
”This whole process is about inclusion. We do not want to exclude anybody. As an Academy we should cherish and respect our wonderful heritage. I am looking to find a way to connect the different generations within the membership. The older generation are a fantastic resource of knowledge and experience for the next generation of creatives. In my view, that’s the genius of BAFTA. I see us as a deep well of experience that can be used to inspire. We need to work on that connection. It is important that all members engage with the contemporary work that is being made today. We need to step outside our areas of comfort and make an effort to watch work that may be different from the work we make, or are accustomed to. No matter how many years we’ve worked in the industry, that is a responsibility we all have.”
The letter concluded: “Change is coming. Let’s not be frightened of it. If we grasp this moment I think we can genuinely change BAFTA and help move the industry to a better place.”
After a year as deputy chair, Emmy-winning and Bafta-nominated Majumdar was confirmed as Bafta chair in June. He is the first person of colour to hold the position in its 72-year history and will serve for three years. He took over from Neal Street Pictures’ Pippa Harris, who continues as deputy chair.
Majumdar co-founded independent production company Me + You Productions in 2012, alongside Richard Yee. His executive producer credits include Karl Pilkington’s Sky 1 comedy series Sick Of It and An Idiot Abroad, David Hasselhoff’s Emmy award-winning Dave mockumentary Hoff The Record and Channel 4’s drama anthology I Am.
Read Majumdar’s full letter to Bafta members.
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well.
It’s been three months since I became Chair of BAFTA and I want to update you on what we’ve been doing. This year has been a tough one, and whilst we’re all doing our best to find a way through it, there is some understandable fear and uncertainty about the future. At BAFTA, we have responded by delivering over one hundred events online for members, including many as part of our global activity to promote new talent, and five awards ceremonies (one just a couple of weeks into lockdown, and one as a primetime BBC One show).
We are aware that the impact of the pandemic continues to have a profound impact on many of you, and as such we made adjustments to this year’s renewal process in order to accommodate those most directly impacted, while committing to keeping our community of members connected and creatively inspired. I’m also proud to report that BAFTA has raised over £110,000 for the Film + TV Charity’s emergency relief fund. The donations will go towards a major new grants scheme due to be launched by the Film + TV Charity this month that will focus on supporting diverse talent. Eligible individuals, in the UK, will be able to apply for up to £4,500 as part of a transformative package of support that will enable those hit hardest by the shutdown to remain in the industry.
Production is restarting in some parts of the world. The new normal includes COVID protocols, masks, hand sanitiser, testing regimes and bubbles. It is very encouraging to see how the industry is pulling together and setting the parameters for people to get back to work safely. With some cinemas beginning to reopen, I recently had the pleasure of sitting in a darkened room with celluloid images flickering on the screen. After so long away, it felt amazing to be transported by the magic of cinema.
As you are aware, over the past few months we have conducted a wide-ranging review into the Awards with the aim of exploring the causes of under-representation and lack of diversity. We have spoken to hundreds of people globally - members (including those who contacted BAFTA since the Film nominations were announced), invited individuals from under-represented groups, representative and advocacy organisations as well as distributors, agencies and media. These people include many of the most prominent filmmakers, performers and executives in the industry. BAFTA has never opened itself up like this before and listened to such a wide range of people. These meetings have been frank, challenging, inspirational and often emotional.
First, we want to say a big thank you to you, our members, for fully engaging with this process. We are particularly grateful to those who took the time to write to us or attend meetings, considering the disruption and uncertainty of recent months. It has been an illuminating and humbling process. Even though we’ve had some fierce criticism, it’s been incredibly constructive and heartening to see how much people care about BAFTA and the work that we do.
Now the meetings have concluded, the findings and key themes are being reviewed by an independent academic at the University of Glasgow. They will then be compiled into a report and a series of recommendations which will be discussed by the BAFTA Board next week, before publication later this month. We’re looking forward to sharing the report with you. We hope it will produce meaningful and sustainable progress in the short and long term and help us track a path towards a more inclusive and diverse awards and wider industry. Taken as a whole, we hope that the review findings will usher in real structural and cultural change for the Academy.
What started as a review into the Awards very quickly became a litmus test of where we are as an Academy. The Awards represent our values, they speak to who we are and what we value in the industry. We cannot afford to ignore certain sections of society. The Review has examined the details on many issues that affect the judging process and the question of who can become a BAFTA member. We debated ‘Britishness’ in our awards, what it actually means to be a BAFTA member in 2020 and our responsibilities and duties to the Academy.
This is an opportunity for a creative renewal. Over the next few months we’ll be conducting a series of town hall meetings and events to discuss these issues with members. We see this Review as being only the start of changes we plan to make over the next few years and not an end point.
One key refrain that came out of our discussions was the idea that “representation matters”. We’ve been starkly reminded of that with the death of the actor and producer Chadwick Boseman. His brilliant career was tragically cut short, but not before it had smashed myths and broken many barriers down. He proved that skin colour was far less a factor in box-office appeal than the industry had thought. His dazzling multi-faceted career has opened the door for other actors of colour and diverse stories to be played in the mainstream. He genuinely changed the game.
In his MacTaggart Lecture at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival, broadcaster and historian Professor David Olusoga argued that racism has led to a ‘lost generation’ of minority ethnic people in the UK TV industry. This sentiment was echoed in our many discussions with people who bravely gave testimony to the Review. Our conversations unfortunately highlighted a clear lack of trust that some people felt about BAFTA and we are very appreciative of all the experiences shared.
I chaired the majority of the 50+ meetings and some were a very emotional experience. In several meetings I broke down and wept, as I heard some of the stories of how some people had been treated by the industry. The collective grief was overwhelming and a strong picture emerged of the lost generation of people of colour – careers and lives blighted by racism. We heard similar evidence from many other under-represented groups who have been excluded by the industry – including female directors, LGBTQI+ and disabled creatives. But it’s not only emotion that drives us on to change. Real change comes from evidence, testimony and hard data.
Alongside the publication of the report, we’ll also be asking you to participate in the first survey of the whole membership in nearly two years. This is essential to support our ongoing work in promoting diversity within BAFTA’s membership and wider activity. We want to build up as accurate a picture as we can, to inform our research, celebrate our strengths, and identify areas for improvement. This snapshot of who we are is essential for our progress. Look out for further information later this month.
Some of our long-standing members have reached out and said they are worried about the changes that are being discussed. This makes them feel unsure of their place within the Academy. They are concerned that, as a charity, we shouldn’t stray into political territory by explicitly responding to Black Lives Matter. I have listened and appreciate these concerns, but I want to make it clear we are not supporting any particular political party or organisation. This is our response to a long overdue global movement. Recent seismic events have fundamentally changed our world. This is a genuine cultural shift, not a blip. As a charity, the changes we are undertaking are crucial to safeguard our future and remain relevant.
This whole process is about inclusion. We do not want to exclude anybody. As an Academy we should cherish and respect our wonderful heritage. I am looking to find a way to connect the different generations within the membership. The older generation are a fantastic resource of knowledge and experience for the next generation of creatives. In my view, that’s the genius of BAFTA. I see us as a deep well of experience that can be used to inspire. We need to work on that connection. It is important that all members engage with the contemporary work that is being made today. We need to step outside our areas of comfort and make an effort to watch work that may be different from the work we make, or are accustomed to. No matter how many years we’ve worked in the industry, that is a responsibility we all have.
I look forward to sharing the full findings of the Review later this month. We won’t get it 100% right the first time, but with your energy and support, we will get there. There will be people who will be disconcerted at the changes we are making and some who will say we’ve not gone far enough.
BAFTA is a lens on the industry for good and for bad. We celebrate its successes but we’re also a catalyst for important conversations. I want to make BAFTA stronger and to do this we have to be more transparent and we will try and communicate better with you and with the public.
Change is coming. Let’s not be frightened of it. If we grasp this moment I think we can genuinely change BAFTA and help move the industry to a better place.
Best, Krish
Krishnendu Majumdar
Chair
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