Page 23 - 16_Bafta ACADEMY_Samantha Morton_ok

election fever
new council
As June and July brought UK residents a rare few rays of sun- shine (this year rarer than most), for Academy members they signalled Council election season. Ruth Grenville reports on some new names and old favourites after the ballot.
This is the season when BAFTA members cast their votes for the Council of Management, which provides strategic direc- tion on the Academy’s ever- growing awards, events and membership as well as decision- making related to finance, development, and resources.
Council members serve as both Directors and Trustees of BAFTA Limited, the Academy’s charity, and therefore carry a weighty responsibility in terms of ensuring the viability and repu- tation of the Academy in its pur- suit of excellence. They also oversee the Academy’s man- date across our five branches in the UK/US Nations & Regions – a far-reaching remit.
Successful candidates vying for posts on this year’s ballot (5 Film, 4 TV, 1 Children’s, 2 non-des- ignated) were announced at the AGM held on July 1. They repre- sent a wealth of experience and award-winning savvy, and will join new Chairman Michael Attwell and outgoing Chairman (now Deputy Chair) Simon Relph in planning for what should prove to be another fast-paced year.
Film
Duncan Kenworthy, co-Chair of DNA Films and winner of five BAFTAs, three Emmys and Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, was re-elected. In a subsequent vote held by the new Council, Duncan was elected Chairman of the Academy’s Film commit- tee with seasoned independent producer, David Parfitt, as Deputy Chair, Film.
They join the recently re-elect- ed and seriously experienced Mark Shivas (producer) and Ernie Vincze (cinematographer) as well as Ayub Khan Din (screenwriter) and Finola Dwyer (producer). Simon Relph, immediate past Chairman of the Academy and now Deputy Chair of Council, will
round-out the Film contingent. Charlotte Macleod, the only
newly elected Film member, is Founder and Director of The Script Factory. Last year, she worked with the Academy’s Events team to produce the notable Gosford Park masterclass with Robert Altman, Julian Fellowes and Stephen Fry.
When asked why she stood for election to Council, Charlotte replied, “I passionately believe in attracting new members from our industry’s younger members and newer talent, especially those from culturally diverse backgrounds.”
She is vocal about the benefits of joining BAFTA, including screen- ings and “events given by some of the world’s leading filmmakers, television makers and new tech- nology experts. The voting system for the awards also means that an individual’s opinions really matter, and that is a huge privi- lege of membership.”
Television
Amma Asante, who was co- opted on to Council last year, was successful in securing an elected TV post for 2002/3. She will per- form double duty as the Deputy Chair of Events & Education.
In future, she hopes the Academy will “continue striving to be an organisation that is relevant to its membership and in touch with its industry... one day leading the way in celebrating the achievements of today’s emerg- ing talent from ethnically rich and culturally diverse backgrounds.”
New Councillor Mike Milne has worked for nearly 20 years in the computer animation industry and is now based at Framestore CFC, at the vanguard of CG animation. He recently won a BAFTA and 3 Emmys for his work on the BBC Science series Walking with Dinosaurs.
ITV’s Controller of Documentaries & Features, Dianne Nelmes, was re-elected for a second
term; she takes over from Bea Ballard as the new Chair of the Television Committee with pro- ducer and BAFTA Craft awards champion Hilary Bevan Jones as Deputy. She is joined by the BBC’s Adam Kemp, also re- elected, and the rest of the TV members on Council.
Children’s
Jocelyn Stevenson, newly- elected, has written, pro- duced and created any num- ber of much-loved Children’s programmes, including Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and The Hoobs. She has one Emmy and a host of Emmy and BAFTA nominations.
In her own words: “My interest in BAFTA has always been in how a prestigious ‘grown-up’ organi- sation can/should influence the perception of children’s media, how it can raise standards and encourage innovation and for- ward-thinking.”
Non-designated posts
Two new posts were created on Council this year in the non- designated category: for those wishing to contribute experience not confined to a specific genre. Congratulations to the dedicated John Chambers (former Treasurer) and new Council member Sara Geater, current BBC Director of Rights and Business Affairs.
Honorary Treasurer
Finally, hats off to Michael Harris, re-elected to Council – this time in the Treasurer’s post for a two-year term.
* The full complement of Council members and Officers of the Academy is listed on p 2.
Photos from top: Amma Asante; Sara Geater; Charlotte Macleod
21