Duke of Cambridge and president of BAFTA to discuss organisation’s long-term ambitions for UK-Asia cross-cultural exchange.

BAFTA is to make its first visit to Shanghai as part of the delegation of British organisations attending the UK Government’s GREAT Festival of Creativity (March 2-4).

Prince William will officially open the festival. As president of BAFTA, the Duke of Cambridge will use the opportunity while in Shanghai to discuss BAFTA’s intentions to foster creative and cultural exchange between the UK and Asia in the film, television and games industries.

The visit builds on BAFTA’s ongoing move into Asia, which began in Hong Kong in 2013 and has so far included a series of masterclasses with British talent, screenings of BAFTA-nominated British short films, a new broadcast deal with Youku Tudou to stream the BAFTA Awards ceremonies, and the establishment of a Hong Kong scholarship programme.

The GREAT Festival of Creativity, taking place at Shanghai’s Long Museum, West Bund, will showcase British commercial creativity.

On March 4, BAFTA chief executive Amanda Berry will introduce a day of talks focussed on British film, including a masterclass on the making of the BAFTA-nominated film Paddington, which will receive its Chinese premiere the night before.

Berry said: “BAFTA recognises that the film, television and games industries are becoming ever more global, and we believe that opportunities for creativity and innovation will increasingly result from collaboration between territories.

“During the festival we will be sharing our plans to engage with the creative industries and public audiences more widely across China.”

BAFTA recently recruited Liz Shackleton as Asia Programmer and Producer to devise and deliver a programme of events and initiatives across Asia that share industry expertise with UK and Asian audiences. Shackleton, who will be attending the festival, is also Asia Editor of Screen International and is based in Hong Kong.

The BAFTA delegation at the GREAT Festival of Creativity will also include BAFTA chair Anne Morrison and Tim Hunter, director of learning and events.

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