British Academy Film Awards
| British Academy Film Awards | |
|---|---|
| Current: 69th British Academy Film Awards | |
 | |
| Description | The best in film |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| First awarded | 1949 |
| Website | bafta.org |
The British Academy Film Awards are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). It is the British equivalent of the American Oscars and Australian AACTA Awards. As of 2008, it has taken place in Central London at the Royal Opera House, the latter having taken over from the flagship Odeon cinema on Leicester Square. The 69th British Academy Film Awards was held on 14 February 2016.
History
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) was founded in 1947 as The British Film Academy, by David Lean, Alexander Korda, Carol Reed, Charles Laughton, Roger Manvell and others. In 1958, the Academy merged with The Guild of Television Producers and Directors to form The Society of Film and Television, which eventually became The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1976.
BAFTA stated charitable purpose is to "support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public". In addition to high profile awards ceremonies BAFTA runs a year-round programme of educational events including film screenings and tribute evenings. BAFTA is supported by a membership of about 6,000 people from the film, television and video game industries.
The Academy's awards are in the form of a theatrical mask designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe, which was commissioned by the Guild of Television Producers in 1955.
Annual ceremony
The ceremony previously took place in April or May and since 2002 it takes place in February in order to precede the Oscars. The awards are mostly open to all nationalities, though there is an award for Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Producer or Director. Only UK films are eligible for the categories of The British Short Film and British Short Animation awards.
The Awards ceremony is delayed broadcast on British television the same evening (usually BBC One), and across the world. It has been broadcast in colour since 1970.
Location
From 2000 to 2007 the ceremonies took place at the flagship Odeon cinema on Leicester Square. As of 2008[update], the ceremonies take place at the Royal Opera House.
Sponsorship
Until 2012, the mobile network Orange sponsored the awards and starting in 2013[update] Orange's parent company, EE, began sponsorship.
Awards categories (competitive)
Retired awards
- BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles (awarded 1952–1984)
- BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay (awarded 1969–1983)
- BAFTA Award for Best British Screenplay (awarded 1955–1968)
- BAFTA Award for Best British Actor (awarded 1952–1967)
- BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actor (awarded 1952–1967)
- BAFTA Award for Best British Actress (awarded 1952–1967)
- BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actress (awarded 1952–1967)
- BAFTA United Nations Award (fr:United Nations Awards) (awarded 1949–1976).
Other awards (non-competitive)
- BAFTA Fellowship (since 1971)
- The Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award (known as the Michael Balcon Award from 1979 to 2006)[1]
In memoriam section
During the ceremony, BAFTA pauses to pay tribute to those in the industry who died over the previous twelve months, with a montage of images accompanied by music.
Ceremonies
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2015) |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| 1st | 29 May 1949 |
| 2nd | 29 May 1949 |
| 3rd | 29 May 1950 |
| 4th | 22 February 1951 |
| 5th | 8 May 1952 |
| 6th | 5 March 1953 |
| 7th | 1954 |
| 8th | 1955 |
| 9th | 1956 |
| 10th | 1957 |
| 11th | 1958 |
| 12th | 1959 |
| 13th | 1960 |
| 14th | 1961 |
| 15th | 1962 |
| 16th | 1963 |
| 17th | 1964 |
| 18th | 1965 |
| 19th | 1966 |
| 20th | 1967 |
| 21st | 1968 |
| 22nd | 1969 |
| 23rd | 1970 |
| 24th | 1971 |
| 25th | 1972 |
| 26th | 1973 |
| 27th | 1974 |
| 28th | 1975 |
| 29th | 1976 |
| 30th | 1977 |
| 31st | 1978 |
| 32nd | 1979 |
| 33rd | 1980 |
| 34th | 1981 |
| 35th | 1982 |
| 36th | 1983 |
| 37th | 1984 |
| 38th | 5 March 1985 |
| 39th | 1986 |
| 40th | 1987 |
| 41st | 1988 |
| 42nd | 1989 |
| 43rd | 1990 |
| 44th | 17 March 1991 |
| 45th | 1992 |
| 46th | 1993 |
| 47th | 1994 |
| 48th | 1995 |
| 49th | 23 April 1996 |
| 50th | 29 April 1997 |
| 51st | 18 April 1998 |
| 52nd | 11 April 1999 |
| 53rd | 9 April 2000 |
| 54th | 25 February 2001 |
| 55th | 24 February 2002 |
| 56th | 23 February 2003 |
| 57th | 15 February 2004 |
| 58th | 12 February 2005 |
| 59th | 19 February 2006 |
| 60th | 11 February 2007 |
| 61st | 10 February 2008 |
| 62nd | 8 February 2009 |
| 63rd | 21 February 2010 |
| 64th | 13 February 2011 |
| 65th | 12 February 2012 |
| 66th | 10 February 2013 |
| 67th | 16 February 2014 |
| 68th | 8 February 2015 |
| 69th | 14 February 2016 |
See also
References
- ^ "The Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award - Awards", The BAFTA site, 6 March 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
External links
