29/11/2013 - New advisory board to develop ongoing UK-Asia cultural exchange, led by chairman Jonathan Caplan QC

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced its first series of BAFTA events in Hong Kong. BAFTA has also established an advisory board with leading industry figures from Hong Kong and the UK, overseeing BAFTA’s ambitions to expand its activities in Hong Kong and beyond.

The programme kicks off on December 1 with a screening of a selection of BAFTA-nominated short films from the Film Awards earlier this year, at the Clockenflap Festival. The first meeting of the new BAFTA Hong Kong Advisory Board comprising Jonathan Caplan QC (Chair), Claire Breen Melwani, Kevin Burke, Peter Chan, Duncan Kenworthy OBE, Levina Li-Cadman, Peter Loehr, Shu Kei, John McLellan, Sandra Ng, William Pfeiffer, Darren Shaw, Nansun Shi, Yat Siu, Fred Wang and Katherine Yip takes place on December 2. The Board will use BAFTA’s talent pool of 6,500 industry professionals to stimulate creative collaboration between the UK and Asia. 

On December 3, British actor Eddie Redmayne (Les Misérables [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile]) will participate in an Academy Circle event, hosted by Hong Kong actress and presenter Lisa S, for local supporters of BAFTA’s mission in Asia. On December 4, Redmayne will participate in an acting masterclass with students at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said, “The upcoming BAFTA activity in Hong Kong is a chance for us to bring together the UK and Asian creative communities and engage and inspire career-starters across the region. With historic ties to Hong Kong, the support of loyal partners and donors, and limitless ambition, we look forward to strengthening our relationships across the region in the future.”