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the future’s orange
Why go to Hollywood when Hollywood can come to you? The British film indus- try has known this for many years now, hosting such lavish produc- tions as Gladiator, Tomb Raider and the Harry Potter series in its many packed and busy studios.
But that’s not all that brings a wealth of big-screen talent to these shores. Since 1998 the Orange British Academy Film Awards have attracted some of the most stellar names in the busi- ness, including a rare and sensa- tional UK appearance by Elizabeth Taylor to collect her Academy Fellowship in 1999.
Orange has been proud spon- sor of the British Academy Film Awards since 1998 and is delight- ed to announce its support for the sixth year running. The 2003 edition, meanwhile, sees Orange cementing that relationship with the Academy by pledging to continue its investment for anoth- er three years.
In the two years since Orange became title sponsor, the Awards have grown in stature in an increasingly competitive and crowded calendar. Moved for- ward to precede America’s own Academy Awards, by a month, the Film Awards have become recognised around the world and are now instrumental in setting the scene for the glitz and glam- our that follows at the Oscars.
But Orange’s presence isn’t simply a matter of patting the film industry on the back – the com- pany is committed to reaffirming its long-term commitment both to the British film industry and other artistic talent.
To this end, various initiatives have been set in motion, such as the Orange FilmFour Prize For Short Film, while the company is also proud to sponsor the Orange Film On The Square section of the Regus London Film Festival. This gives audiences the chance to take the first look at exciting new movies from around the world, whether major Hollywood pre- mieres or smaller, foreign-lan- guage previews.
To celebrate this passion for cinema, Orange has created the
Orange Film Of The Year Award – the only honour given at the Film Awards which is voted for by the British cinema-going public.
Each year, the Orange Film Of The Year Award has grown and grown in status to the point where over 100,000 people vote each year, making it one of the most coveted film awards in the UK. To give an idea of its scope, previous winners have included Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1999), Notting Hill (2000) Gladiator (2001) and The Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring (2002).
Similarly, the last five years has seen the event become more prestigious and diverse, with the stellar guest list for the evening proving more than a match for the prize-winners list.
Indeed, more than anything else, the Orange British Academy Film Awards is a night for surprises. In 2001, Michael Caine used the occasion of his Fellowship Award to make a heartfelt and poignant speech about his struggles as an actor. The same year Kevin Spacey arrived on stage to receive his award for Best Actor and jokingly asked whether it came with a free Orange phone.
And last year the young team behind Mexican hit Amores Perros stormed the stage on an exuberant high after scooping the BAFTA for Best Film Not In The English Language. Such spon- taneity is the lifeblood of any public event, and Orange is look- ing forward to many more such eventful ceremonies while provid- ing an equally special movie occasion for the millions who watch the event at home on TV.
Denise Lewis, Group Director of Corporate Affairs states, “The Orange British Academy Film Awards represent the UK’s cele- bration of British and international film talent.
“This is the most important British entertainment event of the year and we are delighted to announce the renewal of our relationship with the Academy for a further three years. Orange continues to support the British film industry by facilitating film ini- tiatives within this exciting arena.”
Goldie Hawn congratulating Jamie Bell, the winner of the Actor In A Leading Role BAFTA, at The Orange British Academy Film Awards 2001 (Photo Sylvaine Poitau)
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